Counseling and Therapy for Addiction
Counseling and therapy for addiction are vital because they assist individuals in the recovery process in understanding the probable causes of addiction. During this process, these individuals also learn how to identify risk factors for relapse as well as acquire strategies that may be used to cope with stressful situations (Wheeler, 2014). Real addiction therapists play an important role in assisting patients in finding motivation, developing skills, and enhancing their relationships in order to support their recovery process. There are several forms of substance abuse treatment therapy that can be used to help people recover from addiction. In this assignment, I will examine the therapeutic approach that is used in this case by the facilitator.
Discussion
According to American Psychiatric Association (2013), psychotherapy is the practice of trained professional therapists who are applying clinical techniques which have originated from psychology principle to help people to adjust to conditions in their lives, change their feelings, change their way of thinking or alter particular behaviors about them. According to the formal definition of therapy, there is an indication of definite but fine lines that exist between therapy and other forms of interventions that can be used.
Different Types of Psychotherapy
Different types of psychotherapy exist. However, according to numerous professional sources maintain that the various types of psychotherapy emanate from one of more of the five main paradigms in the psychology field. Due to a general designation, psychology can be classified into two main approaches namely the experimental and action-oriented therapies (Kim, Choi, Shin, Kim, Lee, Jung, Choi, 2012). For addiction treatment therapies, various types can be adopted for restoration of the normal lives of individuals suffering from substance addiction.
The Behavioral Therapy Approach
The psychotherapeutic approach that has been used in this case is the behavioral therapy. This is focused on obtaining the goals which are directly related to the life of the client in question (Gamble & O' Lawrence, 2016). This style is aimed at obtaining and examining the behaviors which are undesirable and unhealthy while you identify the situations in place which support their continued existence. This approach might have been chosen due to various reasons. The approach helps in engaging the individuals in drug abuse treatment by providing incentives for them to remain abstinent or modify their attitudes and behaviors towards abusing drugs.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Still, I would use this cognitive-behavioral therapy due to various benefits that can be linked to it. This mode of therapy is important as it directs its focus on anticipating the challenges that an individual may have in the process of sobriety and recovery. The therapist will work with the client to regain self-control over his thoughts and behaviors through the development of effective new skills and coping strategies.
Lower Symptoms of Depression
The second reason why I would use the cognitive behavioral theory (CBT) is due to its lower symptoms of depression. CBT is one of the best-known treatments for depression. According to results from studies, CBT is helpful to patients in overcoming types of depression such as anger, hopelessness, and low motivation (Psychotherapy.net). Besides, it also assists to lower the risks such as relapses which might be experienced in the future. This theory is believed to be working well for individuals who need to be relieved of depression since it reduces changes in thoughts or cognition which are likely to fuel various negative ruminations and feelings. According to further research, CBT is also protective against any acute episodes of depression which are likely to be used alongside antidepressant drugs.
Contingency Management
Another alternative approach that can be used while dealing with individuals with addiction problems is contingency management. This describes a specific type of behavioral therapy which is used in the treatment of the use of substance especially drug users, e.g., alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine among others. In this approach, the client is issued with a tangible wanted reward for accomplishment for their desired behaviors. The most common behavior that is desired is abstinence from the use of a substance, and this reward would help in building up of new behaviors.
Examples of Contingency Management
Some of these examples include voucher-based reinforcement. This program rewards clients for having tested negative in drug tests. These vouchers can be picked and traded for items that one is in need of especially those that are in support of recovery. As time continues, the value of the voucher increases and this is a motivation to the clients. Secondly, this method may also include prize incentives. Other than receiving vouchers, clients also have the chance for a prize for a completion of clean drug test or for attending drug treatment. From an individual perspective, I think that this approach will be one of the most efficient that is applicable while dealing with clients that suffer from substance addiction. This is because it has certain motivational aspects as vouchers and prizes which most addicts can opt for in the process of recovery.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.
Gamble, J., & O' Lawrence, H. (2016). An overview of the efficacy of the 12-step group therapy for substance abuse treatment. Journal of Health & Human Services Administration, 39(1), 142-160. Retrieved from http://jhhsa.spaef.org/Note: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.
Kim, J. W., Choi, Y. S., Shin, K. C., Kim, O. H., Lee, D. Y., Jung, M. H., … Choi, I. (2012). The effectiveness of continuing group psychotherapy for outpatients with alcohol dependence: 77-month outcomes. Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research, 36(4), 686-692. doi:10.1111/j.1530-0277.2011.01643.xNote: Retrieved from Walden Library databases.
Psychotherapy.net (Producer). (2000a). Cognitive therapy for addictions [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Author.
Wheeler, K. (Ed.). (2014). Psychotherapy for the advanced practice psychiatric nurse: A how-to guide for evidence-based practice. New York, NY: Springer.
