Cognitive Behavioral Model for Relapse Prevention

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a treatment that stresses awareness about feelings and actions. Understanding leads to insight which in turn leads to taking action to overcome difficult issues. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be an important treatment for preventing relapse of conditions such as drug addiction and alcoholism.

Methodology

• Although those seeking cognitive behavioral therapy will need to see a licensed psychotherapist or mental health counselor, familiarity with the method may be helpful for people trying to avoid relapsing into a destructive behavior. This model of therapy includes counseling, the development and practice of coping skills and lifestyle modification all aimed at highlighting and avoiding harmful conduct.

Therapy Sessions

• The cognitive behavioral model stresses the importance of therapy sessions for the client to discuss any difficult issues, addictions and possible reasons for relapse. Since the model puts significant emphasis on the therapeutic relationship between therapist and client; individuals considering this sort of therapy should be comfortable with their therapist. Much of the therapy sessions will be spent identifying and discussing the client's issues and negative thought patterns that lead to substance abuse or other behavioral problems.

  Examples of destructive thought patterns include all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophic thinking, selective negativity, fault finding, perfectionism and personalization (erroneously viewing feedback as criticism).

Coping Skills

• A significant component of cognitive behavioral therapy is the completion of homework by the client. When this model of therapy is used for relapse prevention, the homework centers on helping the client develop more-effective communication skills and coping strategies to replace dysfunctional behaviors that lead to relapse. This homework can involve reading, self-evaluation by answering questions provided by the therapist, and activities that the client finds enjoyable.

Lifestyle Changes

• Another cognitive behavioral technique for preventing relapse is lifestyle modification. The therapist can help the patient identify destructive patterns in daily living that need to be changed. This may include developing realistic goals and expectations for self and others. The therapist helps the patient with the cognitive aspect, and then a plan is put in place for the client to implement behavioral changes.

Summary

• The cognitive behavioral model is the one of the most popular methods for preventing relapse. It is a particularly good option for people who want to effect lifelong change and for those who wish to avoid medication. Another benefit is that cognitive behavioral therapy is typically shorter in duration than other methods. This can be especially helpful for people who are paying for therapy and need to consider cost as they seek effective treatment. Additionally, insurance companies are very familiar with cognitive behavioral methods and approve of them. Finding a therapist who is experienced in this type of treatment and whom the client can trust is essential.