Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) was first developed as a strategy for preventing relapse in the treatment of patients struggling with alcohol use. Later, experts adapted it for individuals addicted to cocaine. Now, troubled teens can benefit from CBT with the individual counseling program at Venture Academy.

What Is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

therapist talking with teen about cognitive behavioural therapy

CBT is a type of talk therapy used to encourage, support, and teach individuals about reducing and stopping harmful drug and alcohol use and the problems that accompany it. In this type of program, we provide skills that are essential in assisting teens to gain initial abstinence from substance abuse behaviours. This includes alcohol or drug

 

use, but also includes addictions such as electronics. CBT provides skills that assist teens in sustaining abstinence and preventing relapses.

CBT strategies are based upon a theory that believes that learning processes have a crucial role in the development of substance abuse and other maladaptive behavioural patterns. Teens in CBT can learn to spot and fix problematic behaviours by means of the application of a variety of different skills. These can be used to halt drug abuse as well as addressing the range of problems typically co-occurring with it.

One central element of cognitive behavioural therapy programs is the anticipation of likely problems as well as the enhancement of teens’ self-control by assisting them in the development of effective coping strategies. Particular techniques include the exploration of negative and positive consequences of ongoing drug use; monitoring the self to recognize cravings at an early stage and identifying those situations that might put the teen at risk for drug use; and development of strategies for coping with the cravings and avoidance of particular high-risk situations.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: An Ongoing Solution

Research shows that the skills learned by teens in a cognitive behavioural therapy program approaches remain even beyond the completion of the treatment. Present research focuses on how to produce effects that are even more powerful by combining CBT with those medications intended for drug abuse as well as with other kinds of behavioural therapies. Teens who undergo the 30-Day Assessment and Intervention are given the tools to carry on with the desired behaviours taught via CBT. Our strategies include:

Vulnerable Areas Aided by CBT

There are seven main categories of potential vulnerability. Psychologically speaking, each is a representation of a factor contributing to the teen’s risks of alcohol misuse, as well as misuse of other substances. Each of these suggests a possible area for therapeutic intervention. These include:

  • High-risk situations, from the external, such as places, to the internal, such as problematic mood states
  • Physiological urges and cravings to use drugs and alcohol
  • Automatic thoughts increasing intention to drink or use
  • Dysfunctional beliefs about the teen’s relationship with drugs
  • Beliefs that give permission to justify the teen’s drug use
  • Rituals that are linked to the use of substances
  • Adverse reactions to a relapse or lapse that begin a vicious cycle

To deal with these circumstances, we teach teens a new collection of skills and attitudes. These can be relied upon in the long term. An overarching benefit of CBT is its emphasis on maintenance in the long run.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Program at Venture Academy

If your teen is troubled, whether academically, behaviourally or is dealing with substance abuse, we can help with individual counseling programs. Issues we address include lying, anger problems, disrespect, substance abuse, sexual habits and electronic addiction. We use a combination of individualized therapy, small groups, and education to reach out to your teen and encourage proper behaviours. We do have a youth detox program for teens who require it. Our locations in Red Deer, Alberta and Barrie, Ontario are ready to help you and your teen.

Contact Venture Academy at 866.762.2211 for the help you and your teen require.