CBT For drug misuse or dependency
Drug dependency effects many people across the UK for a wide variety of reasons. It may be that a person feels they need a calming substance such as cannabis to control their anger or anxiety issues. Others may turn to stimulants such as cocaine as it makes them feel self-confident and energetic.
In the modern Western world, we are constantly under pressure to be productive and some people use drugs in an attempt to improve their concentration at work or school. Peer pressure is another factor that can introduce young adults to drugs, turning social curiosity into drug misuse.
Long-term or regular drug abusers are often trapped in a vicious cycle as the substance makes them feel good or relaxed. They experience unpleasant symptoms if they stop taking the drug, which results in an increased dependence on drugs in order to function in everyday life. For some, their substance abuse can cause the breakdown of relationships, the loss of careers and physical harm to their body.
Drug misuse is likely to cause depression and anxiety too, as feelings of guilt or shame about their condition make it even hard for the sufferer to reach out and get help. But there are positive steps that a person can take to help beat their dependency on drugs.
How CBT can help with drug misuse
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based verbal therapy that has proven successful for helping those who suffer from drug-related problems.
The theory of CBT is that negative behaviours, such as substance abuse, are ingrained in a person’s learned beliefs and thoughts and are often used as a coping mechanism. It may be that past experiences have contributed to their unhealthy relationship with drugs, but CBT can help to identify these unhelpful thoughts as the first step in replacing them with healthier and more positive ideas and beliefs.
A qualified CBT therapist will work with a client to help them understand their reliance on drugs be it for pleasure, productivity or to cope with emotional pain.
Once the individual begins to identify why they misuse drugs, the therapist will help them to develop cognitive techniques which aim to reduce the intensity of the desire for drugs and replace it with a more positive and robust coping mechanism.
By practising these positive changes, the client will learn to maintain and manage the emotional response that would have previously triggered their substance abuse.
How we can help
At Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Interventions we have proven experience in analysing and evaluating our clients individual needs through our verbal counselling sessions.
We can then define the level of treatment that will help clients to achieve a happier outlook on life without a dependency on drugs.
