By Gregory J. Finer LCSW, MCAP– Clinical Director Crossroads Behavioral Health Center and Crossroads Substance Abuse Services Group.
In the painful and challenging journey of addiction, whether it’s alcoholism, drug abuse, or any other addictive behavior, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) stands out as a beacon of hope for personal transformation in addiction recovery.
Crossroads Behavioral Health Center and Crossroads Substance Abuse Services located at 708 Goodlette Frank Rd. Naples FL 34102, offers a unique treatment program and curriculum modeled strongly in the evidenced based therapies of CBT.
In the IOP program at Crossroads, the initial goal of our team is to have our clients see the real benefits of CBT. In CBT, thoughts refer to the beliefs, interpretations, and internal dialogue that individuals have about themselves, others, and the world around them. Thoughts are seen as powerful determinants of emotions and behaviors.
The good news is, and perhaps why CBT is so effective, is that thoughts are something that we can in fact change. Certainly, it is a lot easier than many of our immediate situations. Take for example the Serenity Prayer, a good example of CBT in its own right: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” This prayer encapsulates a powerful lesson in what is referred to in CBT as cognitive restructuring, helping individuals shift their focus from dwelling on uncontrollable circumstances to taking proactive steps to address what is within their control.
Individuals in therapy at Crossroads learn to accept that life is indeed challenging but not insurmountable. They begin to really adopt the stance that everyone faces difficulties and setbacks, and that struggles do not define worth as a person. Clients at Crossroads learn to become more aware and challenge their negative thought patterns as their CBT practice strengthens.
Remember however this is not easy. Falling back into old thought patterns can happen quite easily. CBT requires daily practice. You are changing in a big way. You are changing and challenging old perceptions of how you used to see things. You must challenge deep seated negative core beliefs. This shift is difficult but essential to recovery.
Clients at Crossroads begin to understand that the language they use to describe their experiences is often a form of conditioned negative bias characterized by limiting absolutes like “always” and “never,” or “all or nothing”. When they see that thoughts are the primary source of their emotional pain, they are motivated to change them.
The content of our thoughts is important. It reflects what is important to us. It is our “story”. What we think about is after all our world. The problem happens when that world becomes a scary and unforgiving landscape of fear, avoidance, despair, loneliness, even hatred and self-loathing. This is not a pleasant place. Who would not want to escape and run, or drink and drug it all away?
The goal of CBT is to get you to understand that you are – to a very large degree- the landscape architect of your inner world, and that you have a greater choice than you have come to believe. You have the choice to plant flowers and water them with practical thinking or you can return to the distortions.
At Crossroads, our therapists would rather have you identify that you “slipped” into negative thought patterns without it being an actual slip back into drinking or drugging. This is a kind of fail-safe that happens with good CBT practice. Through a very clear awareness of what is happening, you don’t feel the strong urge to act out. Rather you are only observing. You are not overwhelmed because you have seen these patterns before. The difficult emotions will subside while you do not allow the thoughts you are having to attach as strongly as they used to. There is a space between awareness and action. The larger this space the better.
We all want to see reality for what it is, but it is difficult. We often shade it with something it is not. So, what is the truth? Of course, it is difficult to define and different for all of us. But when shading reality, it is certainly better to do it being neutral or positive and certainly not negative.
For we cannot be deluded into believing, but many of us are, that life “should be more” and “should not be this way”. In CBT practice, using the word “should” is highly discouraged- otherwise, as we therapists say, “you should yourself” and this only dirties your parents. (By the way humor is another form of CBT, when used delicately). Experiment for yourself. Stop using the word should in your internal dialogue and see if you feel any better.
CBT is not just a therapeutic technique; it’s a roadmap for unraveling the tangled web of distorted thinking that leads individuals into addiction and other severe emotional problems. At the heart of CBT lies the goal of empowering individuals to rewrite their stories and reclaim agency over their lives. By challenging distorted thinking and replacing it with more balanced perspectives, individuals gain the clarity and resilience needed to navigate life’s challenges and improve their behaviors and choices.
The motivation to finally stand up and challenge these faulty patterns is often met with strong roadblocks and resistance. We want to hold on to our familiar negative thought patterns. We have reinforced them for many years. They have left an indelible impression on us. But there is always a breaking point of too much pain, and this is where the motivation for change happens.
In the tumultuous journey of battling addiction and other mental/emotional struggles, know that you are not alone. If you or someone you care about is grappling with these challenges, please, reach out for help. At Crossroads we understand the depths of your pain and the heaviness of your burden. Our team stands ready to offer you the compassionate, insightful, and evidence-based care and support you need to reclaim your life. You deserve to feel whole again, to rediscover joy, and to embrace the best version of yourself. Let us walk this path with you, guiding you toward healing and hope. You are worth every step of this journey.
Crossroads
Behavioral Health Center
(239) 692.1020 | www.CrossroadsFL.org