Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) aims to address thinking errors – and their associated emotions and behaviors – that are unhelpful or problematic for a person.

CBT focuses on “here and now” problems and achievement of goals related to improving the quality of a person’s interaction with the world. Cognitive behavioral therapy appears even more effective when used alongside medication therapy and/or hypnotherapy.

CBT is sometimes used in the treatment of:

• Addiction
• ADHD
• Panic, OCD and other anxiety disorders
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Conduct disorders
• Depression and other mood disorders
• Eating disorders
• Insomnia
• Pain
• Personality disorders
• Some medical conditions
• Some psychotic disorders
• Suicidal tendencies

Elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy combines a number of therapies or strategies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Cognitive Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Exposure Therapy and relaxation training. The six phases of cognitive behavioral therapy are:

1. Assessment
2. Re-conceptualization
3. Skills acquisition
4. Skills consolidation, application
5. Generalization and maintenance
6. Post-treatment assessment

Cognitive behavioral therapy can be delivered in one-on-one therapy sessions or in group therapy settings. CBT can be facilitated via a trained therapist, CBT computer programs, self-help instruction and group educational classes.

Brief Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (BCBT) is used when there are time limits to the length of therapy that can be received. BCBT is administered in about 12 accumulated hours and was first developed to treat traumatized soldiers in an effort to reduce suicide.

Goals

Thinking errors often involve qualities such as black and white thinking, over-generalizing, magnifying, minimizing and catastrophizing. Bringing thinking errors into balance with productive thinking eases negative emotions and decreases self-defeating behaviors. One of the goals of cognitive behavioral therapy is to help a person identify and replace thinking errors with productive, functional thoughts.

With continued cognitive behavioral therapy, a person will become more open to, mindful of and aware of thinking errors and will be able to challenge them and lessen their impact on his or her interactions with the world.

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Inpatient and outpatient drug alcohol detox are available in many communities throughout the country. When a person is addicted to drugs or alcohol and is ready to stop using the person will usually, but not always, go through a period of withdrawal as the substance slowly leaves the person’s body.

During withdrawal, a person might experience a variety of different withdrawal symptoms. With many inpatient and outpatient drug alcohol detox services, the person’s withdrawal symptoms can be monitored and treated with medications until the symptoms go away. The effects of drugs and the effects of alcohol on the body can vary between individuals, as well.

Professional detox treatment helps to ensure that a person’s withdrawal symptoms stay within safe ranges and do not become life-threatening. Inpatient and outpatient drug alcohol detox settings have pros and cons. Both settings are not appropriate for everyone.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Detox

Inpatient and outpatient drug alcohol detox can take anywhere from a few days to a week or more to complete. During inpatient drug alcohol detox, a person stays at a facility that offers detox services until the person has gone through the withdrawal period and is medically safe to leave. During outpatient drug alcohol detox, a person does not stay at a facility; the person goes through detox at home. Inpatient and outpatient drug alcohol detox usually involves the use of medications to ease symptoms.

Inpatient Detox Pros and Cons

Inpatient and outpatient drug alcohol detox settings have pros and cons. Withdrawal symptoms can be mild to severe depending on the person, the substance, the extent of the addiction and so forth. Serious withdrawal complications such as seizures or delirium tremons sometimes occur during detox. Therefore, it is always advisable to have some level of supervision during drug alcohol detox.

Inpatient drug alcohol detox is typically safer. Having round the clock supervision and care during inpatient detox means that symptoms are monitored closely and treated quickly. The treatment received is very fine-tuned to the person. Receiving appropriate medications also makes the detox more comfortable. Inpatient drug alcohol detox is generally quicker than outpatient detox.

A downside to inpatient drug alcohol detox is that a person might not be able to spend a few days to a week or more at a detox facility. Work, family and other personal obligations are sometimes barriers to inpatient drug alcohol detox. Inpatient detox is also more expensive than outpatient detox.

Outpatient Detox Pros and Cons

Outpatient drug alcohol detox allows a person to detox from home rather than in a detox unit. It is also less expensive than inpatient detox. However, outpatient detox does not offer round-the-clock supervision or fine-tuned treatment. Therefore, outpatient detox is usually less safe, less comfortable and takes longer than inpatient detox. The likelihood of a person completing detox on an outpatient basis is statistically lower than a person completing detox in an inpatient setting.

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Long term drug rehab can range from 90 days to 2 years. Most often this will happen in a residential program. These programs are highly recommended for teens with addictions. They can provide for the specific needs teens and young adults have in addiction treatment.

Drug and alcohol abuse amongst teens is a growing concern. The damage drugs can cause on young bodies that have not yet fully developed is a major concern. The human body does not fully develop until the age of 30 which means teens and young adults abusing drugs can do real harm to themselves physically. The physical concerns along with social, psychological, and educational concerns are the reasons long term drug rehab is essential for teens.

Benefits of Long Term Drug Rehab for Teens

One of the primary benefits of long term drug rehab for teens is the social impact. A residential long term program removes the teen from the environment where the drug use is happening. The friends, situations, and pressures are big influencers in a teen’s life. Removing these can be the first step in stopping drug use. The other social impact is in relationships. More specifically, relationships with family. Long term drug rehab typically includes a family component to allow for communication, healing and forgiveness. This is a vital part of treatment for teens as drug and alcohol abuse can be indicative of unhealthy patterns within the family. Focusing on the family dynamic will shed light on these patterns and start the healing process.

The psychological factors for teens and addiction are also a focus in long term drug rehab. Teens are at risk for co-occurring disorders which need specific treatment. Co-occurring disorder refers to a psychiatric diagnosis being present alongside an addiction. Once the drug use has ceased, any other psychological factors the teen is dealing with will rise to the surface. Trained clinicians within the residential program can help in identifying and treating these psychological diagnoses. Behavioral therapy is also an important aspect of the psychological piece of long term drug rehab. This therapy works with the teen on how to live in sobriety, identify the triggers that lead to the drug use, and find alternate methods for handling these triggers as a replacement to drug use.

Finally, a key element of long term drug rehab for teens is education. Continuing education while in treatment for addiction can help build confidence and provide for a better transition after treatment is over. Education is often a casualty of drug addiction. Teen and young adults may drop out of high school or college as a result of drug use. Getting back on track with education will provide a momentum for success in sobriety.

With so many factors involved in drug addiction and treatment in teens and young adults, long term drug rehab is the best option. It provides the time necessary to address the social, psychological and educational needs of the addict. Repairing relationships with family along with removing the social pressures teens face are key in the recovery process. The psychological complexity calls for time to identify, treat, and learn new skills. Getting a teen back on track with educational goals provides for a more solid re-entry into life after treatment. Addressing all these areas takes time and the only way to have lasting sobriety is to put in the time.

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One of the first questions about seeking treatment for addiction is what is the best option. Is inpatient drug rehabilitation more effective? Treatment for addiction offers a wide range of options. These options are typically narrowed into two categories: inpatient or outpatient treatment. The obvious difference is that inpatient treatment is in a residential program (such as long term drug rehab), while outpatient treatment allows a person to stay at home.

Many factors contribute to the decision of which type of treatment to seek including time, job or family commitments, and finances. The research points to inpatient drug rehabilitation providing for the best opportunity for long-term sobriety but that leads to the question, is inpatient drug rehabilitation more effective?

The services offered in inpatient drug rehabilitation do overlap with those at outpatient. Both treatment options typically include a medical and/or psychiatric evaluation to determine physical and mental stability. Some factors may impact the course of treatment and what medications can be used. Behavioral therapy is also a common element in outpatient and inpatient drug rehabilitation. This therapy is used to identify reasons for drug and alcohol use and to learn new ways to cope other than using harmful substances. Another commonality is the incorporation of a 12-step program, such as Alcoholics Anonymous. These programs use the community and peer-to-peer approach to develop a new way of living in sobriety. With so many common factors between inpatient and outpatient treatment it may seem that either format will lead to success. The real decision comes down to how and why treatment is necessary. This is where the differences come in to play and show the true effectiveness of inpatient drug rehabilitation programs.

While outpatient treatment can allow a person to continue employment and maintain personal relationships and obligations, there is a much higher risk of relapse. A person lives at their own home and interacts in the same environment as when they were using drugs. Remaining close to all those triggers can make long term sobriety very difficult. Inpatient drug rehabilitation provides a separation from the reminders of drug use. Removing oneself from the people and places associated with drug use helps jump start the recovery process. It provides the protection from environmental dangers leading to relapse and allows for privacy while in treatment. Inpatient drug rehabilitation also has better resources for co-occurring disorders. This can be very common with drug use and requires specialized treatment once drugs are removed from the body. An inpatient facility is more equipped to handle these special situations.

So, is inpatient drug rehabilitation more effective? Inpatient drug rehabilitation is proven as a better choice for long term sobriety. It provides the medical and behavioral support needed to achieve sobriety all in a safe environment free from drugs and the dangers that lead to relapse. If it is within reach to participate in an inpatient drug rehabilitation program it is highly recommended and has a higher likelihood of maintaining a sober lifestyle upon returning to the pressures of home.

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Experiential therapy is not the type of therapy where a person passively talks to a counselor during a therapy session (referred to as Talk Therapy). Experiential therapy involves actions such as role playing, imagery and many other action-oriented, hands-on activities. Hands-on activities are geared toward helping people get in touch with deep emotions, identify positive and negative personality traits and resolve problematic issues.

Therapists who are skilled in Experiential Therapy are “coaches” to their clients. Coaches help their clients move forward from negative experiences and achieve emotional growth and insight.

Types of Experiential Therapy

The therapeutic, hands-on nature of Experiential Therapy is the basis for many activities such as:

• Adventure therapy
• Art therapy
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Equine therapy
• Hypnosis
• Music therapy
• Play therapy
• Psychodrama
• Recreation therapy
• Sand tray therapy
• Wilderness therapy

Why is Experiential Therapy Helpful?

• When a person is engaged in a therapeutic activity, the person tends to let his guards down. When guards are down, the person will act in a more genuine manner, allowing the therapist to observe behaviors and traits that can be built upon and/or can be the basis for further therapeutic work.
• Experiential therapy is also helpful for the family of someone engaged in treatment. As the family becomes healthier, so will the person.
• A person will experience successes during various Experiential Therapy sessions and activities. This helps to increase self-esteem, confidence and empowerment.
• Engaging in hands-on activities forces a person to increase responsibility for his actions.
• An indirect benefit of enjoyable, therapeutic activities is that they teach a person ways to fill time, have fun and see the importance of leisure in their life.

Uses of Experiential Therapy

Experiential therapy has been used as one of many other therapies in the treatment of certain disorders. Children, teenagers and adults have benefited from Experiential Therapy. People suffering from depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, addictions, trauma, compulsive behaviors and a variety of other conditions can benefit from the effectiveness of Experiential Therapy.

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Long term addiction treatment can be anywhere from three months to two years. This type of treatment is most recommended for those with a long history of drug and alcohol abuse, especially those with frequent relapses back into addiction. Long term facilities use a variety of treatment approaches with a focus on getting sober and staying sober. This can include medication, individual therapy, group therapy, family involvement, and life skills training. Short-term treatment is typically just long enough for detoxification. Unfortunately, addiction is a complex disease that requires much more than simply “getting clean.” For lasting recovery, long term addiction treatment is essential.

The length of time for recovery depends primarily on the situation of the addict. It is not typically recommended as a first option for treatment of addiction. If a person’s drug or alcohol use has only just started, a shorter term solution may be enough to change the behavior of addiction before it takes control of the user. For those with a long history of substance abuse, studies show that the longer the treatment program, the better chance for longer sobriety. The chronic nature of addiction requires more than just a few days to stop using drugs or alcohol. Addiction affects the chemical responses in the brain. It can impact the brains ability to inhibit potentially harmful behavior. The longer the drug use the longer it could take to correct the brain function and learn a new way of living.

Long term addiction treatment facilities use several different approaches to truly help an addict learn how to live life in a different way. This often begins with a period of detoxification. Medication can be used during drug or alcohol detox to assist with withdrawal symptoms. After the body is clean of drugs and alcohol the real work can begin. Treatment and relapse prevention are crucial components to the recovery process. Individual, group, and family therapy are used to get at the root cause of addiction. It is also a method to identify triggers and responses that lead to drug use and develop more healthy ways to handle those triggers and respond without using. Long term addiction treatment allows for learning to live in sobriety. Staff at treatment centers often have personal experience with addiction and sobriety. Through their example and guidance, the addict can learn that life is possible in sobriety. The community environment allows for the support but also provides real-world examples of what the addict will face after treatment.

Statistically, people suffering from drug and alcohol addiction have low rates of seeking treatment. Whether the reason is due to finances, personal fears, or an unwillingness to stop using, there may only be one opportunity for treatment. With this in mind, it would make sense to seek treatment that provides the best chances of long term results. Long term addiction treatment provides complex solutions to a complex disease. Addiction treatment is about more than no longer using drugs or alcohol. It is about getting to the root cause of the disease and learning a new way of life. This takes time and, when it comes to addiction treatment, its worth putting in the time.

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