Addiction of any kind often requires long-term counseling and therapy. Time is spent getting through the layers of “life” that have brought on an addiction originally. It takes time to become addicted to alcohol, and it takes time to become free of an addiction.
Addiction therapy is meant to help you cultivate the tools to keep you from relapse and to develop the proper coping techniques to get you through situations that place you in harm by abusing alcoholic substances. By working with an addiction therapist, you’ll have a resource that can help you in your times of need. Eventually, you’ll be able to self-motivate in an environment where a relapse might have otherwise occurred.
It’s important to remember that many individuals afflicted with addiction are on this journey due to their genetics or environment. Compulsive behaviors might be more inherent to you, and they may develop through adolescence or well into adulthood. However, you are not alone! There are a variety of treatment modalities that can help you during recovery. Why are there so many? Because recovery looks different for everyone. Here are several effective forms of therapy and treatment that have been proven to help those suffering.
The Start of Behavioral Therapy
The Solida Foundation uses a variety of modalities to help you overcome addiction. These include behavioral therapy techniques that help you learn how to cope with the emotions and triggers that drive your drinking and reframe intrusive thoughts. We also utilize mindfulness techniques, which can be incredibly helpful in decreasing cravings, helping you to focus on the present moment, and make better decisions. By using evidence-based therapies, we can get to the root of addiction, helping you develop the tools needed for long-term recovery. What might this include?
- Education — Learning why you’re inclined to certain addictive behaviors is a major step toward getting back to “you” without the substance.
- Planning — By understanding the rewards of sobriety and the consequences of continued addiction, we can help you plan for your future, plan for the toughest moments, and plan for a new life.
- Exposure — Exposure to a formally addictive substance is inevitable, but you won’t be without the tools to get you through. The more you are safely exposed, the higher the chance of being able to work through triggering or tempting moments without our team by your side.
- Centering Yourself — Finding your inner calm might sound difficult now, but it’s a large part of healing. By reducing stress through the most challenging moments, you’ll have the chance to lean on yourself rather than a substance.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Alcohol counseling, including the kind provided by the Solida Foundation, is a way of helping you change your behavior in order to stop drinking. It’s also a way of giving you tools for dealing with cravings and urges.
Most recovery centers use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as part of their treatment program. This type of therapy teaches you how to anticipate situations that may put you at risk of relapse, and then helps you learn ways to cope with those situations without drinking. CBT strategies are meant to fix addiction problems at their core—research shows that patients who undergo CBT are more able to work through real-life scenarios, as the goal is to take on intrusive thoughts and reframe that way of thinking. You’ll be taking back control of your thoughts and actions over time.
- Ability to recognize your personal triggers.
- Develop the right tools to handle when those triggers arise.
- Run through real-life scenarios that might prompt a relapse.
- Fix the issue of intrusive thoughts at their core.
Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
Eye movement sensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy designed to treat anxiety disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder. The therapy uses eye movement to reduce stress that occurs from traumatic memories. It has been shown to alleviate symptoms of PTSD, leading to addiction.
- Teaches the brain to associate negative memory with less disturbing emotions.
- Primarily used on those experiencing symptoms of PTSD.
- If someone has used substances to numb pain from past experiences, this may be the right option for them.
There’s a Modality That Works for You
We’ve discussed a few therapy modalities above, but there are many more than might work for you. The Solida Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps individuals get the help they need for addiction treatment. Through scholarships, we help those that might not otherwise be able to afford care from a professional treatment center. If you or a loved one is ready to get the help they need to change their life for the better, don’t hesitate to contact our team. We’re here for you and your healing is our priority.