Denise L. Hamlin-Glover is a certified therapist, psychotherapist, and clinical psychologist in Madison, Alabama who specializes in working with children...
A form of talk therapy, therapist-facilitated psychotherapy is an integral part of drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Therapists generally use this method in conjunction with medication, with techniques like behavioral therapy for the reason behind your addiction. Therapists also use cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT, which helps change your thoughts and your reactions to specific triggers. Therapist-facilitated psychotherapy can be used alone or combined with medication as part of your treatment plan.
A lot of individuals who go through therapy for substance abuse treatment find that their symptoms can go away or that the severity of the symptoms decreases over time. However, you must not expect your recovery to happen over night. Your therapist will work with you on a regular basis, helping you change your thinking and actions, while also making sure that your withdrawal symptoms are being managed in a healthy manner. It is important to work with your therapist on a daily basis, as this will allow you to keep up with your progress and be able to see and feel the positive changes that are taking place.
It is important to remember that therapy alone will not be enough to provide you with the strength and support you need to quit drugs and alcohol, and your addiction treatment plan should be able to accommodate this. You will also need to have a close support group. A strong family and friends support system will help you tremendously in your treatment and recovery. This is particularly important if you have an addiction that is very serious. Your support team will also help you stay sober and stay away from drug and alcohol abuse.