Individual Therapy for Addiction in Washington
Many people struggling with drug or alcohol addiction enter detox thinking afterward they will be in recovery. But detox is only the first step in recovery. Entering a comprehensive addiction treatment program is the next step in the recovery process. Individual therapy for addiction is a crucial aspect of treatment and long-term recovery.
Individual therapy for addiction in Washington addresses the mental and emotional needs of the person in recovery. People often use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate during difficult times.
So, without substances to numb the emotions, individual therapy helps people understand and cope with their thoughts and feelings in a healthy way.
What is Individual Therapy?
Individual therapy for addiction in Washington gives a person a safe space to discuss the mental and emotional aspects of addiction and recovery. Individuals build trust in their therapist by meeting one-on-one with a therapist, allowing them to open up completely.
During individual therapy sessions, people typically talk about their personal experiences with addiction. By discussing all the aspects of their lives, the therapist can help them identify triggers and the underlying causes of their addiction. The more a person understands that addiction is a chronic disease, the more prepared they will be when facing triggers.
Individual Therapy is an Important Aspect of
Treatment at Bayview Recovery
Once a person completes a detox program and enters a treatment program, they begin individual therapy for addiction. Substance use disorder affects each person differently. A personalized treatment plan with a focus on individual therapy for addiction offers the best chance at lifelong recovery.
At Bayview Recovery, individual therapy for addiction is an important aspect of treatment. Recovery is much more than being free of drugs or alcohol. The risk of relapse increases without addressing and healing the root cause of addiction.
Individual therapy for addiction in Washington is important at Bayview for various reasons, including:
Individual therapy helps people understand and address the underlying emotional, psychological, and behavioral issues contributing to their addiction.
Individual therapy for addiction helps therapists personalize treatment to address each person’s specific needs and challenges.
Individual therapy teaches healthy coping skills to manage triggers, stress, and unhealthy emotions. Developing healthy coping skills greatly reduces the risk of relapse.
The one-on-one setting of individual therapy for addiction allows the therapist to hold a person accountable for their actions, thoughts, and behaviors. It also allows the person to receive encouragement and support in their recovery journey.
Individual therapy is a safe space for people to open up and reflect on their thoughts and experiences. This leads to an increase in self-awareness, mindfulness, and personal growth.
If you or a loved one suffers from alcohol use disorder or drug addiction, understand that there is hope. A comprehensive addiction treatment program can help people find total freedom from addiction.
Also, remember that you don’t have to face recovery alone. With help from the treatment specialists at a rehab center like ours here at Bayview Recovery, people receive the support needed to overcome addiction.
How Does Individual Therapy for Addiction Work?
Individual therapy for addiction involves one-on-one sessions between a therapist and a person struggling with addiction. During therapy sessions, the therapist works with the person to identify and understand the underlying causes of their addiction and also works on developing strategies to manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Therapists use a variety of approaches and techniques to help people build self-awareness, develop coping skills, and increase the motivation to change. For example, a therapist may use cognitive behavioral therapy to identify the negative thought patterns of addiction. Or, they may use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to accept their feelings and set healthy goals.
At the beginning of therapy, therapists work with people to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for recovery. Treatment plans typically include goal setting, identifying triggers, and developing the skills and tools to maintain lifelong recovery.
The recovery journey is full of challenges. Individual therapy for addiction in Washington at Bayview Recovery can address the thoughts, feelings, and experiences surrounding addiction in a safe and supportive environment.
What Types of Therapy Approaches are Used in Individual Therapy for Addiction?
Individual therapy for addiction in Washington is designed to help people be more mindful of their thoughts. In turn, this positively affects their response to others and situations. For instance, if people think and speak positively about their life, they are more likely to feel worthy of love. They also feel less shame or guilt when they need help or are at risk of relapsing.
Because each person’s addiction journey is unique, the type of therapy used in individual therapy is also unique. And while each person receives personalized treatment, there are common types of therapy approaches used throughout treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a form of individual therapy. It focuses on how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors affect each other. It is based on the theory that negative thoughts and beliefs lead to unhealthy emotions and behaviors.
During CBT sessions, people work with their therapist to identify negative thoughts and beliefs contributing to their addiction and emotional struggles. People begin developing a more realistic perspective by comparing the truth or evidence against the negative thoughts.
CBT is a short-term form of therapy typically ranging from 12 to 20 sessions. It is also a highly structured therapy. Each session has a specific purpose, and people are given homework between sessions.
CBT is goal-oriented, with the therapist tracking a person’s progress throughout therapy. Evidence shows CBT is also effective in treating a wide range of co-occurring mental health disorders.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a form of therapy specifically for treating addiction and other substance-related issues. It is a combination of individual therapy for addiction and group skills training. The focus of DBT is helping people find a balance between acceptance and change.
During individual therapy sessions focusing on DBT, therapists help people identify the thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and behaviors contributing to their drug or alcohol abuse. After identifying these, the focus switches to increasing the motivation to change, improving stress management, and developing alternative coping skills.
Dialectical behavior therapy is a comprehensive and structured program. It involves weekly individual therapy sessions and weekly skills training groups. DBT sessions usually last six months to a year, and people learn various skills, including mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an approach used in individual therapy for addiction to help people accept their thoughts and feelings instead of suppressing them. The goal of ACT is to empower people to live fulfilling lives despite how they think and feel about their addiction.
ACT helps a person learn to be mindful and flexible. This keeps them in the present moment instead of negative thoughts and emotions. People struggling with addiction often feel no control over their lives. ACT gives them a sense of control over their addiction and recovery.
ACT also teaches people to identify what’s important to them and to engage in activities that bring them joy and purpose. By helping people build healthy coping skills and focusing on goals and self-worth, ACT can reduce the risk of relapsing.
What are the Benefits of Individual Therapy for Addiction in Washington?
Individual therapy for addiction provides a number of benefits in addition to the ones mentioned previously. They include:
- Increases Self-Esteem – People who struggle with addiction typically have low self-esteem. Individual therapy helps people build self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence. These traits are crucial in maintaining lifelong recovery.
- Improves Relationships – Addiction affects the user and everyone who cares for that person. Many times it destroys trust and, eventually, relationships. Individual therapy helps people in recovery develop healthy communication skills and repair the damage done to their loved ones.
- Addresses Trauma – Trauma such as physical, emotional, and sexual abuse is common in people struggling with addiction. Individual therapy for addiction gives people a safe place to work through these traumas.
- Promotes Change – Individual therapy for addiction encourages people to make positive changes in their lives. They learn how to set attainable goals and find the positive in every situation, which increases lifelong recovery.
- Offers Support – When a person in addiction treatment builds a strong and trusting relationship with their therapist, it is a powerful source of support and encouragement on their recovery journey.
How Does Individual Therapy Differ from Group Therapy?
In individual therapy, a person meets one-on-one with a therapist. They talk about the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with addiction. A therapist listens, provides support, and helps people identify unhealthy patterns. Individual therapy focuses solely on the person, their thoughts, and emotions and allows them to receive personal attention.
In contrast, group therapy involves a therapist and a group of people. In group therapy, people share their struggles and receive support and new perspectives from others with the same struggles. It gives people a unique opportunity to learn coping skills and problem-solving techniques from one another.
While group therapy is often less expensive than individual therapy, it isn’t for everyone. Some people like the privacy and confidentiality of individual therapy. Discussing traumatic events or personal experiences in a group setting can be uncomfortable.
Both individual and group therapy have benefits and limitations. Whether someone attends individual therapy, group therapy, or both is a personal decision to discuss with your therapist.
Individual Therapy for Addiction at Bayview Recovery
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, we can help. Recovery is more than being free of drugs and alcohol. Individual therapy enables you to understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors continue you down the path of addiction.
At Bayview Recovery in Tacoma, Washington, our comprehensive approach to treatment gives you the best chance at lifelong recovery. Take the first step and contact us today.
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Dave Cundiff, MD, MPH is an experienced leader in the field of Substance Use Disorder treatment. He works with patients suffering from Substance Use Disorder to evaluate their medication needs and prescribe treatments accordingly. In addition, he regularly participates in all-staff debriefing sessions involving peers, nurses, and other prescribers. He also reviews and advises on policies, procedures, and techniques for treating substance use disorder.
