Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Substance Use Disorder Treatment


It is our thoughts that cause our feelings and behaviors, not external factors. We can change the way we think and feel better, even if our situation does not change.

The practices and techniques employed at Club Recovery are based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).  CBT is a form of psychotherapy, developed by psychologists, Aaron Beck, and Albert Ellis that emphasizes the underlying role of how the way we think influences our attitudes and our behaviors.

In individual and group therapy we provide tools to challenge and examine distortions in our thinking, including the resignation that people will always do things a certain way.  We do not believe that people are programmed.  Our objective is to enable individuals to re-frame their thinking in order to gain control of how they respond to situations and interactions with others that in the past have caused unnecessary unhappiness and lead to addictions.


Positive Thinking Leads to Positive Behavior

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is an action-oriented form of psychosocial therapy that assumes that maladaptive or faulty thinking patterns cause negative emotions and maladaptive behavior.  Maladaptive behavior is behavior that is counter-productive or interferes with everyday living.  CBT focuses on changing an individual’s thoughts (cognitive patterns) in order to change his or her emotional state and behavior. It is one of the most researched and applied therapeutic techniques utilized in substance abuse and gambling disorder treatment programs.


Productive Employment of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be employed in any situation in which there is a pattern of unwanted behavior accompanies by distress and impairment. Many mental health issues may be exhibited by persons with substance use disorders such as affective (mood) disorders, personality disorders, agoraphobia, social phobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), eating disorders, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Cognitive therapy assumes that maladaptive behaviors and disturbed mood or emotions are the result of inappropriate or irrational thinking patterns, called automatic thoughts.  Instead of reacting to the reality of a situation, an individual reacts to his or her own distorted view of the situation.

A number of different techniques may be employed in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients uncover and examine their thoughts and change their behaviors. They include:

  • Cognitive rehearsal
  • Behavioral homework assignments
  • Journal: Clients are asked to keep a detailed diary recounting their thoughts, feelings, and actions when specific situations arise.
  • Conditioning: The therapist uses reinforcement to encourage a particular behavior. Reinforcement can also be used to extinguish unwanted behaviors by imposing negative consequences.
  • Validity Testing: Clients are asked to test the validity of the automatic thoughts and schemes they encounter. The therapist may ask the patient to defend or produce evidence that a schema is true. If the patient is unable to meet the challenge, the faulty nature of the schema is exposed.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs. 12 Steps

The 12 steps philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a methodology for achieving sobriety followed by Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).  Club Recovery does not follow 12 Steps and is not affiliated with AA.  However, our approach can be utilized together with attendance at AA meetings.  Many of our clients find that intensive outpatient treatment at Club Recovery is the first step on the road to rehab, recovery, and sobriety.  Attendance on an ongoing basis at AA meetings is a good way to reinforce their commitment to remaining sober.

Also, Club Recovery can provide referrals to alternative outside support groups for those looking for options other than 12 steps and AA programs. We respect that each individual must find a support system in conjunction with treatment that feels most comfortable and that will be most effective for the individual.

Club Recovery is a leading provider of Cognitive Behavioral Counseling in Minnesota. Our highly trained counselors have a proven record of helping thousands of Minneapolis-area residents recover, maintain sobriety, and get their lives back on track.

All you need is the desire to change. Our methods can train you to change your thinking in a way that can change your life. Call us today at (952) 926-2526 or contact us via email to learn if Club Recovery can help you.