Psychiatric Therapy for Addiction

Aside from medication, therapy can be a good way to treat a wide variety of mental health issues. Addiction is no exception. A therapist has the knowledge and training to teach you how to cope with the intense feelings of addiction. The therapist will use various methods to help you heal and stay free of addictions. There are also other mental health challenges that can accompany addiction. The therapist can address these as well.

Understanding addiction and the different types

It is not unusual for a person to have a compelling draw toward a behavior or practice. Most people have a deep like for some activities or habits. When the compulsion for something becomes so intense that the person is willing to do anything for it, addiction could be involved. When addicted to something, the person will do it even if there are severe consequences. The compulsion dominates the person’s thoughts and actions.

Addiction can come in the form of substances such as drugs and alcohol. A person can also be addicted to gambling, sex, playing video games, or eating. In all cases, participating in these activities gives the person a high. They are willing to sacrifice anything to do them. Addiction can affect relationships and the person’s quality of life. Therapy is essential in serious cases.

Counseling the patient

Despite the negative effects of addictive behavior, the person sometimes cannot see these things happening. It often takes counseling to make the person aware. During a session, the therapist will help the person see the negative results of the addiction. The therapist will talk about how stress can play a role in the addiction. The environment the person is in, including the people around the patient, can trigger compulsive feelings. By counseling the patient, the therapist can identify ways to control the cravings the person is having.

Group therapy

In some cases, the therapist may recommend group sessions with the patient. In these settings, the patient will be with others who have similar challenges. Everyone in the group shares experiences and opens up their feelings. The group members hold one another accountable. Everyone becomes supportive of another.

Recognizing behaviors

To heal, the patient must first recognize they have a problem. The person must admit the addiction is hampering daily life. In this therapy, the therapist will talk about moods, thoughts, and other scenarios that trigger addictive behaviors. Instead, the therapist will teach the patient how to replace these negative emotions and actions with positive, healthy ones.

Involving family and loved ones

With addiction, the person’s problems usually affect family members. To heal these wounds, the therapist may bring spouses, children, parents, or siblings in for the therapy. The patient may not realize or believe their addictions are hurting other people. Through these sessions, the therapist can show the patient otherwise. The loved ones support the patient through the recovery process.