Cognitive behavioural interventions in addictive disorders

Participants were encouraged to critique thin ideal body types in written, verbal, and behavioral exercises. Participants from both study groups were interviewed after the study, and again at six months, and one, two and three years after the study. They found that the young women who participated in the dissonance-based therapy group had less dissatisfaction with their bodies at the end of the treatment, and at the time of the 3-year follow-up interview (Stice, et al, 2011). His primary strengths include clinical insight into substance abuse/mental health, hard work ethic, and ability to work well under pressure. Skill sets include counseling/clinical competency, revenue generation strategies, strong written/oral communication skills, insurance billing/contracting knowledge and general empathy for others struggling with substance use disorders. Eudaimonia Recovery Homes employs several evidence-based techniques to address cognitive dissonance effectively.

Fallacy of Change

Katie takes an active role in each client’s recovery, and works individually with them to ensure they get the most out of the Elevate curriculum, and achieve their individual treatment plan goals. Kaylyn currently supervises our Conduct and Life Intervention Counseling department. Throughout their program, clients work with Kaylyn directly one-on-one in removing toxic people from their lives and rebuilding trust with loved ones. She genuinely loves helping people on their journey to recovery and brings a friendly, down-to-earth vibe to every session. Someone recovering from substance abuse is not immune from the continuing battle with cognitive dissonance.

cognitive dissonance and addiction

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cognitive dissonance and addiction

Cognitive Dissonance happens when an individual holds a series of contradictory beliefs, values and ideas – and is overcome by psychological stress when they partake in any action that goes against one or more of those beliefs. Jordan’s mathematical and analytical abilities coupled with strong verbal and written communication skills allows him to manage the accounting departments effectively. I’ve had experience with recovery since 1996 and began working in the field in early 2004.

cognitive dissonance and addiction

Environmental manipulation and behavioural counseling

However, cognitive dissonance can also be a tool for personal and social change. Drawing a person’s attention to the dissonance between their behavior and their values may increase their awareness of the inconsistency and empower them to act. The internal discomfort and tension of cognitive dissonance could contribute to stress or unhappiness.

  • With 2 years of experience in the field, she is committed to creating personalized recovery plans that empower clients to achieve long-term success.
  • If you would like to address any self-limiting thoughts and beliefs that might be holding you back in your recovery or if you would like help with an addiction – the team at Tikvah Lake Recovery are here to help.
  • They might know, on an intellectual level, that their substance use is destroying their relationships, career, and health.
  • Throughout their program, clients work with Kaylyn directly one-on-one in removing toxic people from their lives and rebuilding trust with loved ones.
  • Drugs alter normal brain structure and function in these regions, producing cognitive shifts that promote continued drug use through maladaptive learning and hinder the acquisition of adaptive behaviors that support abstinence.
  • The wife was involved in therapy, to support his abstinence and help him engage in alternate activities.
  • The first step in planning a cognitive behavioural treatment program is to carry out a functional analysis to identify maintaining antecedents and set treatments targets, select interventions.
  • Furthermore, group therapy at Eudaimonia Recovery Homes strengthens the sober living experience by building connections and mutual support.
  • The rational mind relies on heuristics and other mental short cuts (e.g., attributions, appraisals, schemata) representing implicitly activated information processing to avoid the need to relearn previously acquired knowledge.
  • Our comprehensive, individualized care plans are designed to support clients at every stage of their recovery journey.

Studies have shown that many abused substances can reshape the communication pathways between neurons (synaptic plasticity), which could contribute to both the formation and the persistence of maladaptive drug-stimulus associations. Cognitive dissonance occurs when a person’s behavior and beliefs do not complement each other or when they hold two contradictory beliefs. It causes a feeling of discomfort that can motivate people to try to feel better.

A subsequent review of the literature, however, suggests that acute nicotine enhances reaction time and attention in nicotine-naïve individuals (Swan and Lessov-Schlaggar, 2007). Recognizing and acknowledging the conflicting beliefs and behaviors is the first step. Seeking professional help is a powerful strategy to address cognitive dissonance, as therapists and addiction specialists can guide individuals through the process of reconciling conflicting thoughts and behaviors. “Rather than experience the painful feelings of believing one thing but saying another, these individuals actually changed their opinion and convinced themselves that the task was actually very interesting. In other words, their attitude was shaped by their behavior (lying)” (Cooper and Carlsmith, 2002).

  • In the grand symphony of your mind, cognitive dissonance therapy can be the conductor, helping you create a more harmonious melody from the sometimes discordant notes of your thoughts and beliefs.
  • In fact, according to Cooper (2007), “Festinger’s insistence that cognitive dissonance was like a drive that needed to be reduced implied that people were going to have to find some way of resolving their inconsistencies.
  • Others high risk situations include physical states such as hunger, thirst, fatigue, testing personal control, responsivity to substance cues (craving).
  • In more severe cases, cognitive dissonance can play a role in mental health disorders.
  • By understanding the role cognitive dissonance plays in maintaining addictive behaviors, individuals can develop more effective strategies for overcoming their dependency.
  • Despite the physical and psychological consequences of drinking and taking drugs, individuals who have this disease, view their addictive behaviors differently than those who don’t.
  • Drug addiction manifests clinically as compulsive drug seeking, drug use, and cravings that can persist and recur even after extended periods of abstinence.

By understanding the role cognitive dissonance plays in maintaining addictive behaviors, individuals can develop more effective strategies for overcoming their dependency. Sober living environments Sober living home are designed to provide structure and support during the critical transitional phase between intensive treatment and independent recovery. In this setting, addressing cognitive dissonance becomes a cornerstone of recovery. By confronting and resolving internal conflicts, clients can align their actions with their recovery goals, reducing the risk of relapse.

After all, behaving against one’s wishes and intentions violates a fundamental human need to see oneself as a rational and consistent person. For someone in addiction recovery, these common negative thinking patterns can increase their anxiety, often triggering depression and relapse episodes. While there are countless distortions, we’ll focus on those made famous by Aaron Beck and David Burns.

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