Therapy can help people with alcohol use disorder develop coping skills to reduce or stop drinking. There's no standard therapeutic approach to alcohol use disorder treatment, as every person's situation is different. Alcohol rehab centers assess the severity of one's condition, motivation to change, and reasons for alcohol abuse before recommending a specific therapy. Here are some of the best therapies for alcohol recovery:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychological therapy that focuses on the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behavior. It asserts that negative thoughts often lead to negative emotions and behavior. If you have a poor opinion of yourself, you may feel alone and sad and turn to alcohol to numb the negative feelings. Proponents of CBT believe that identifying and modifying negative thought patterns and emotions can help change behavior. This can translate to a reduced dependence on alcohol. 

CBT is an effective treatment as it helps individuals understand themselves better by exploring their triggers. It also involves facing one's fears rather than avoiding them. This can help one achieve long-term sobriety. Here are the core principles of CBT:

  • Identify triggers: This therapy helps individuals identify thoughts and emotions that spark alcohol cravings. Trigger identification is necessary for formulating strategies to help reduce alcohol dependence. 
  • Challenge negative thoughts: Alcohol use disorder sometimes stems from negative thoughts like hopelessness and low self-esteem. CBT focuses on challenging these thoughts to help foster positive feelings. 
  • Formulate positive coping strategies: CBT professionals help clients develop positive coping strategies to limit their dependence on alcohol when faced with their triggers. Common coping strategies include relaxed breathing, journaling, and progressive muscle relaxation.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy 

Accelerated resolution therapy (ART) is a psychotherapy suitable for individuals with dual diagnoses. Your chosen alcohol rehab center may recommend ART if your disorder results from trauma or illnesses like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). People with codependency, relationship, and family issues can also benefit from ART. The treatment centers on reprogramming how the brain stores traumatic memories to prevent them from triggering adverse reactions. It can prevent you from turning to alcohol when you have negative thoughts.

ART involves various components, including eye movement, voluntary imagery replacement, and progressive problem-solving. Eye movement can help patients feel more at ease and allow them to access internal triggers, such as distressing memories, that may be blocked out.

Voluntary imagery replacement involves adjusting traumatic memories to prevent them from generating a negative response. Professionals encourage patients to use their imagination to replace traumatic images with positive ones. The goal isn't to deny that a traumatic experience happened but to make it less intrusive and prevent it from sparking visceral responses like alcohol abuse. Progressive problem-solving involves focusing on a single issue at a time. The goal is to prevent patients from feeling overwhelmed.

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a therapeutic technique that strengthens one's motivation and commitment to sobriety. It builds on the stages of change by helping you move from wanting to change to actively seeking it. Patients work with their therapists to understand addiction and develop plans to help them change.

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Typical sessions involve therapists encouraging clients to analyze the negative impacts of alcohol use. You may be asked to assess the discrepancies between where you are and where you want to be to identify how alcohol may be holding you back. Collaboration and autonomy are key concepts in MI. Therapists encourage patients to develop their own goals instead of imposing their own to increase their autonomy. 

Seek Help From a Reliable Alcohol Rehab Facility

An alcohol rehab center can give you control over your life by helping you fight addiction. Rehab centers offer various therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy, accelerated resolution therapy, and motivational interviewing. Your treatment center will advise you on the best form of therapy after assessing the extent and cause of your alcohol use disorder.