Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Addiction in Colorado
Addiction treatment looks different for everyone. Some individuals benefit from holistic therapies like meditation, music, or exercise-based programs, while others engage in structured care such as residential rehab or outpatient services. Among the most trusted and research-backed methods is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
At Spero Recovery Center, our cognitive behavioral therapy program plays a crucial role in your addiction recovery by addressing negative patterns of thought and promoting healthy coping strategies. Negative thought patterns can deeply affect a person’s life, influencing their mood, decisions, and overall well-being; CBT helps individuals understand and change these patterns to improve their entire life experience.
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)?
Cognitive behavioral therapy, commonly referred to as CBT, is a form of psychological treatment that has demonstrated efficacy in treating various issues, including depression, anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, marital problems, eating disorders, and severe conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Cognitive behavioral therapy programs utilize short-term, goal-oriented therapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors, making it an effective short-term therapy for many mental health concerns. It works to change patterns of thinking or behavior that are behind people’s difficulties, subsequently changing the way they feel.
CBT is a combination of two therapeutic approaches: cognitive therapy and behavior therapy. Cognitive therapy helps individuals become aware of and modify their thought processes, as well as identify and change negative thoughts that influence feelings and behaviors. Behavior therapy focuses on changing patterns of behavior by introducing activities that are incompatible with unhealthy patterns of thinking or behaving.
How is CBT Used in Addiction Treatment?
Cognitive behavioral therapy programs aim to help individuals challenge thought patterns that lead to harmful actions. Many people struggling with addiction and alcohol abuse fall into cycles of automatic thoughts and behaviors, where an automatic thought—such as believing they cannot cope with stress without using substances—triggers negative emotions like self-doubt, shame, or guilt. CBT helps break these cycles by teaching individuals how to recognize, question, and ultimately replace these unhealthy thought patterns.
In addiction treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on identifying situations, thoughts, and feelings that trigger substance use and developing healthy coping mechanisms to deal with them effectively. Clients receive skills training to learn to track high-risk situations, understand emotional and environmental cues, and build personalized relapse prevention plans.
Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques often include:
- Self-monitoring: Tracking thoughts, cravings, and behaviors to increase awareness of triggers and patterns.
- Role-playing: Practicing new behaviors and responses in a safe therapeutic setting.
- Cognitive restructuring: Identifying and challenging false beliefs and distorted thinking patterns, and replacing them with healthier perspectives.
- Relaxation strategies: Learning techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness, and progressive muscle relaxation to manage stress without turning to substances.
CBT also addresses underlying issues such as low self-esteem, unresolved trauma, and co-occurring mental health conditions, all of which can fuel addiction. By targeting the root cause of addiction rather than just the symptoms, CBT provides a more comprehensive and lasting approach to recovery. Equipping individuals with these tools helps them maintain their sobriety even after the completion of the treatment program. Cognitive behavioral therapy empowers clients to face future challenges with confidence, build emotional resilience, and create a more balanced and fulfilling life in recovery.
In addition to CBT, life skills training can play a crucial role in addiction recovery. Developing life skills helps individuals manage daily challenges, recondition their mindset, and support long-term recovery by envisioning a substance-free future.
Is CBT Effective for Addiction Recovery?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a widely recognized and effectively utilized treatment for substance abuse and relapse prevention. By equipping individuals with the skills to identify and manage potential triggers, CBT plays a critical role in reducing the likelihood of a relapse. It’s a valuable tool in the arsenal against substance abuse, promoting lasting recovery.
Cognitive behavioral therapy programs can also be used to treat a variety of other conditions, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, chronic pain, and disordered eating. It is highly adaptable and can be tailored to the individual’s specific needs and challenges. Through CBT, individuals gain insight into how their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are linked. This knowledge can then be used to create positive changes in their lives and strengthen interpersonal relationships.
CBT for Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
Many individuals struggling with addiction also experience challenges such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, or other mood disorders, and other disorders. When addiction and mental health issues exist together, treatment must address both simultaneously to support lasting recovery. This is where CBT plays an important role. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps individuals recognize how their mental health symptoms may contribute to substance use and vice versa. For example:
- Someone with anxiety may self-medicate to calm overwhelming feelings.
- Someone with depression may use substances to temporarily escape feelings of hopelessness.
- Individuals with PTSD may turn to substances as a coping mechanism for trauma-related distress.
Through cognitive behavioral therapy, clients learn to:
- Identify the thought patterns and emotional triggers that lead to both substance use and mental health symptoms.
- Develop healthier ways to manage stress, emotional pain, and interpersonal challenges.
- Build practical coping skills that reduce the risk of relapse and promote emotional stability.
At Spero Recovery Center, we integrate cognitive behavioral therapy into treatment plans for clients with co-occurring conditions, or dual diagnosis, ensuring that all of their needs are addressed in a cohesive, supportive environment.
Are There Other Therapies for Addiction?
In addition to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), many therapists incorporate other evidence-based therapies when treating addiction. At Spero Recovery Center, we integrate multiple approaches to create a well-rounded, personalized addiction treatment plan.
One-on-one sessions help clients set personal recovery goals, build coping skills, work on relapse prevention, and address life changes that support long-term sobriety.
Men’s group therapy provides a supportive environment where individuals can share experiences, develop social skills, and gain mutual encouragement.
Involves family members in the healing process, improving communication, rebuilding trust, and addressing family dynamics that may impact recovery.
Based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, 12-step programs promote accountability, peer support, and spiritual growth.
A form of cognitive behavioral therapy that helps clients manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and develop mindfulness skills—particularly helpful for co-occurring mental health disorders.
Additional approaches such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), Contingency Management (CM), Wilderness Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) may also be incorporated in addiction treatment, especially when addiction is linked with trauma or co-occurring disorders.
Together with cognitive behavioral therapy, these therapies work to address both the root causes of addiction and the practical skills needed for long-term recovery.
How Does a CBT Program Differ from Other Forms of Care?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) deviates from other treatment modalities in its practical, hands-on approach that focuses on problem-solving in the present moment. Unlike traditional forms of psychotherapy, CBT is concerned with identifying harmful patterns in a patient’s current thoughts and behaviors. The therapy teaches practical skills and strategies to manage negative thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, equipping the individual with practical self-help strategies that are directly applicable in daily life.
With over two decades of experience since beginning his career in 1996, Marty has worked extensively across the United States, contributing significantly to clinical leadership teams at multiple reputable organizations including The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and the Caron Foundation. Marty’s commitment to patient care has established him as a pillar within the national behavioral health treatment community. He frequently collaborates with industry leaders to discuss and advance treatment strategies. Throughout his career, Marty has successfully managed, developed, and implemented specialized services in behavioral health, mental health, and addiction treatment.
