When someone starts investigating possibilities for substance abuse treatment programs, it’s important to find one that approaches therapy in a way the person feels positive about. These approaches are known as treatment models, and several of them are in common use in Alcohol Treatment Programs in Tacoma WA.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is very commonly used in Alcohol Treatment Programs in Tacoma WA. The client learns his or her patterns of thinking that result in self-destructive behaviors like excess consumption of alcohol or the use of illegal drugs. Underlying beliefs are uncovered that keep these habitual thoughts repeatedly occurring. Now, the person is able to recognize these thought patterns when they occur and change them.
Traumatic Incident Reduction
A related therapy may be used when the addiction is directly connected with a traumatic occurrence. The person may have always had some tendencies toward substance abuse, but the traumatic event pushed this individual over the edge to full-blown chemical dependency.
That trauma could be nearly anything. Some men and women come to rely on mind-altering substances after the death of a loved one, for example. Being in a serious accident, having a spouse file for divorce, or losing everything to a hurricane or to bankruptcy are other examples.
This therapy is known as traumatic incident reduction (TIR), and it allows the person to relive the experience in a safe setting. Now, this individual can finally face what happened and learn to deal with it emotionally.
The 12-Step Model
The 12-step model is probably the most widely used therapy. This model is based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, although not every program is rigid in the interpretation. The program views substance abuse as the primary problem and provides tools to manage cravings. This is seen as a path to recovery that never fully ends.
Some rehab centers use a combination of treatment models, which may be especially appealing to clients who are not particularly drawn to one certain kind of therapy. At a center like Alternative & Action Counseling, clients are grateful for the personalized approach offered instead of a single, rigid treatment plan.
