Reducing Addiction: CBT

Question 1

What are the 2 elements of CBT?

Answer 1

1. Identifying & tackling cognitive distortions, replacing them with adaptive ways of thinking (functional analysis)
2. Skills training that helps clients develop coping behaviours

Question 2

Explain functional analysis.

Answer 2

• Client & therapist identify high risk situations where client is likely to gamble/drink etc
• Reflects on what client is thinking before, during & after situation
• Identify triggers/reasons for addiction
• Client-therapist relationship should be warm, collaborative but challenge client’s distorted thinking
• Ongoing

Question 3

What is skills training.

Answer 3

• Helps replace unhealthy coping mechanisms with more constructive ones
• There are 3 parts of skills training:
  1. Cognitive restructuring
  2. Specific skills training
  3. Social skills training

Question 4

Explain cognitive restructuring.

Answer 4

• Addresses client’s faulty beliefs (for gambling - probability, control etc)
• Faulty beliefs are challenged & client is educated by info from therapist

Question 5

Explain specific skills training.

Answer 5

• Focuses on wider aspects of client’s life related to addiction
• Functional analysis may reveal client lacks certain skills allowing them to cope with situations that trigger their addiction
  For example:
• Assertiveness training - helping an alcoholic firmly but politely refuse a drink
• Anger management training - helps clients cope with situations that make them angry enough to resort to drinking

Question 6

Explain social skills training.

Answer 6

• Many addicts have problems with interacting with others in social situations
• Social skills training helps clients how to refuse drinks at parties for example
• Therapist models this behaviour which the client then imitates in role play
• Client them uses this skill in the high risk situation