A therapeutic form of communication, cognitive-behavioral therapy is an integral part of many alcohol and substance abuse treatment programs. Therapists usually use it in conjunction with behavioral therapy, with the purpose of learning to identify the root causes behind your addiction. You might feel like you are not alone in your addiction problems. It is estimated that nearly 20% of all people in the United States will experience some kind of drug or alcohol dependence at some point in their lives. A person with an alcohol or substance abuse problem can become addicted to drugs or alcohol through family members, peer pressure, and physical abuse, and can even develop the disorder when they are involved with certain types of behavior such as lying, stealing, and using drugs. The problem with drug and alcohol dependence is that once the substance is taken it is hard to let go of it, so the addict develops a strong emotional attachment to the drug. In order to get rid of this strong emotional attachment to drugs or alcohol, the therapist will work on the subject of self-limiting beliefs. Self-limiting beliefs are beliefs that tell you that you are somehow less than you actually are and that other people are manipulating your thoughts and feelings in order to “control” you. The therapist will teach you how to challenge these beliefs, change them, and change the way you think about your life. Cognitive therapy helps you change your thought processes and behavior. Cognitive therapy is often used in combination with behavior modification and group therapy in order to achieve the best results. These methods have been proven to be extremely effective, and there is no reason to worry about not being able to quit drugs or alcohol because they work. Self-limiting beliefs may seem irrational, but they are very real and powerful. Cognitive-behavioral therapy will help you find the things in your life that you need to take care of in order to feel good and healthy. After a person learns how to identify these needs and how to meet them, they will no longer have the need to take drugs or abuse alcohol in order to feel good. You will also learn to recognize the things that trigger your craving for drugs or alcohol and to avoid situations that will trigger your craving. This will allow you to avoid the drug or alcohol altogether.