Overcoming an addiction to drugs or alcohol requires a combination of approaches with your therapist. Your primary treatment will involve talk therapy in individual or group settings. So, what is talk therapy? In short, talk therapy involves interaction in which you share your thoughts and feelings while gaining valuable insight.
Talk therapy is an integral part of an individual therapy program. It typically includes evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, or acceptance and commitment therapy. It may also include holistic therapy, such as experiential therapy or group activities.
What is Talk Therapy?
The concept of talk therapy is relatively simple. You meet with your therapist. During the session, you address your thoughts, feelings, concerns, or your addiction. Instead of your therapist pressuring you with answers, they help you discover the answers for yourself.
You develop a relationship with your therapist based on trust and respect. Your addiction therapist instills confidence in you and helps you work through problems instead of avoiding them. This type of interaction is highly effective in helping you overcome the underlying issues associated with your addiction.
Types of Talk Therapy
Not all the talk therapy is the same. Therapists try different techniques to help you with a wide range of issues. Some of the most common types of talk therapy include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – In cognitive behavioral therapy, you focus on distorted thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes regarding your addiction. When you have a better understanding of why you drink or take drugs, then you can develop strategies to manage your negative thoughts patterns or behaviors. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help a wide range of mental disorders that trigger addiction
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy – Dialectical behavior therapy involves a process in which your therapist helps you manage your emotion, particularly as it relates to triggers that fuel your addiction. If you can regulate how you emotionally react to certain situations, then you can better assess and respond in the right manner
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – One of the key components in acceptance and commitment therapy is mindfulness. Instead of avoiding painful thoughts, feelings, emotions, mindfulness helps you to identify them, accept them, and then work toward changing your behavior by being aware of your thoughts and your surroundings. Acceptance and commitment therapy is also useful in helping you counter your triggers
- Motivational Interviewing- If you are unsure whether you want to pursue recovery from addiction, motivational therapy can help you break through that wall. Your therapist helps you explore your ambivalence toward change. You can discover the barriers to recovery and also all the reasons why you should change
Start Your Therapy Today at Green Mountain Treatment
If you are struggling with addiction, Green Mountain Treatment can help. We offer comprehensive talk therapy for drug and alcohol addiction. To find out more about our individual therapy program, call us today at 866.913.7957. We are there to help you get on the road to recovery and explain what is talk therapy.
