The crux of addiction treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy (also referred to simply as behavioral therapy or CBT), is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on modifying dysfunctional emotions, behaviors, and thoughts. To put it simply: CBT helps change the harmful thought and behavior patterns developed by addiction and replaces them with positive ones. These changes are vital not only to recovery, but long-term relapse prevention as well.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Moving Mountains Recovery, based in Randolph, New Jersey, offers a comprehensive and unique approach to addiction recovery.
Medically Verified: April 2, 2024
Medical Reviewer:
Kelly Donald
Kelly Donald
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Kelly is a board certified Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner who earned her Master of Science degree in Nursing with a concentration in mental health at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Kelly has fourteen years nursing experience as a Registered Nurse, Nurse Manager, and Advanced Practice Nurse in both psychiatric and substance use disorder settings. She has worked in inpatient settings as well as provided community nursing as a Nurse Practitioner. Kelly brings empathy to an underserved population and her clients share that they feel listened to without judgement.
All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at our Northern New Jersey Alcohol & Drug Rehab
What’s The Purpose of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
Drug and alcohol addiction literally rewires the brain, causing us to think and act in often irrational ways that we would not otherwise. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps recovering addicts unlearn those negative habits, creating the opportunity for a healthy, sober future.
Further, this traditional form of therapy helps individuals recognize triggers and identify the sources of their addiction. Armed with a better understanding of how one got to this point, CBT then helps these individuals develop effective responses to these situations and behaviors in a way that’s personalized to their unique circumstances.
The foundation of cognitive behavioral therapy is adept at handling all types of addiction as well as working in tandem with other therapy modalities.
How Does CBT Work?
While it cannot remove your cravings or guarantee that you won’t have temptations, this empowering form of therapy will give you the tools to independently maintain sobriety. The key to getting the most out of this type of treatment is to be open and honest with your therapist.
CBT is versatile and can be used as part of both short-term and long-term treatment in an inpatient or outpatient setting. Being a form of talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy can take place in a solo or group setting. Depending on your needs, your addiction recovery curriculum may have a mixture of both types, in addition to other types of therapy or counseling such as holistic therapy, recreational therapy, adventure therapy, or family behavioral therapy.
