How to Teach Cognitive Thinking for Substance Abuse

According to A. Lingford-Hughes, a senior lecturer at the University of Bristol, substance abuse is often associated with other psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. Substance abuse is a notoriously intractable problem, and relapse is all too frequent. Substance abusers frequently deny the problem or seek excuses. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a way of challenging and changing unhealthy thinking patterns and is a way for the patient to bring about lasting change. There is not a one-fits-all cure for substance abuse. According to Web MD, a combination of counseling and therapy, residential and maintenance treatments can be used to help with substance abuse. Cognitive behavioral therapy will not, on its own, work for everybody

Instructions

Individual Thinking

• 1

  Ask the substance abuser to discuss his addictive history, identifying particular choices he made at particular times, and help him to seek a pattern in this. Help him to identify faulty thinking patterns. These may include an ability to assert himself, or an extreme reaction to stress. Ask him to think about the role models in his life, so he can identify patterns of learned behavior.

• 2

  Use motivational interviewing to explore some of the person's reasons for change. Help him to identify some of the positive aspects in his life which may give him reason to change his behavior and to maintain this change. These may include his love for his family, his desire to work, or some other important factor.

• 3

  Establish some healthy responses by rehearsing possible difficult situations and temptations. Use role play to help the person practice different responses. Ask him to keep a diary, noting relapses or moments when relapse seemed likely. Incorporate group therapy, if this is deemed appropriate.

• 4

  Help the substance abuser to strengthen her coping mechanisms. Encourage her to develop other strengths and interests. Help her to build a support network of family, friends or fellow addicts, so she has somewhere to turn for help. Teach her how to be more assertive and encourage the development of relaxation techniques.