Admitting yourself to a recovery program is one of the most courageous and positive choices you can make for your health. Getting through rehab can be an emotional and physical challenge, and completing treatment is an accomplishment that deserves celebration. 

Now, the work of long-term recovery begins. The need for continued therapy in addiction recovery can be intense after rehab. Whether your treatment program lasted 30, 60, 90, or more days, it’s unlikely that you were able to resolve all the issues that increase your risk of relapsing. 

What Is the Role of Therapy in Addiction Recovery?

"Therapy can help those in recovery address common issues like guilt, anger, or sadness."

Every person who enters rehab is different and has a unique experience. However, most people who have been struggling with a substance use disorder can benefit from therapy. Therapy is more than just talking to someone about your problems. 

People with co-occurring mental health disorders like depression or anxiety may want continued therapy as a way to manage their mental health. However, the benefits of therapy aren’t limited to those with mental health conditions. 

Therapy can help those in recovery address common issues like guilt, anger, or sadness. Specialized forms of therapy can help people repair relationships with their friends, partners, and family members after rehab. 

Overall, therapy is an intervention that may help you improve your communication skills, develop coping skills, and increase your life satisfaction. These are all important for preventing relapse and meeting wellness goals. 

What’s the Most Effective Therapy for Addiction Recovery?

There is no single “best” type of therapy that’s used to help people with substance or alcohol use disorders. Treatments are chosen according to a person’s individual needs. An individual with trauma in their past may benefit from the inclusion of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) as well as other trauma-focused therapies. 

Art therapy and animal-assisted therapy are useful methods for people who have a difficult time accessing or expressing their feelings with words. Family therapy offers professional assistance for people who became estranged from loved ones due to their addiction. 

Mindfulness therapies like meditation and yoga help clients learn how to stay “in the moment” and avoid ruminating about the past or worrying about the future. Neurofeedback therapy uses brainwave feedback to help people improve self-control and boost brain function. 

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a psychological treatment that’s been found effective for a range of problems that are common among people with substance use disorders. The American Psychiatric Association reports that CBT has been found as or more effective than psychiatric medication or other forms of psychological therapy. 

Understanding CBT

There’s a reason almost every insurance-approved rehab in the country includes cognitive-behavioral therapy. CBT is one of the most widely studied types of therapy. Healthcare professionals recommend CBT for a variety of mental health concerns, including:

• Alcohol and substance use disorders
• Eating disorders
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Relationship problems
• Anger management

The core principle of CBT is that psychological problems, including addictive disorders, are at least partly based on unhelpful ways of thinking. CBT offers strategies that help people recognize unhelpful patterns and change them. 

Once a person learns how to recognize their negative thinking, they can apply problem-solving skills to find solutions instead of relying on old patterns. 

CBT is not meant to be a long, ongoing treatment. Receiving several sessions over six to eight weeks can provide the results you need to keep moving forward in recovery. 

Therapy and Relapse

Relapse is a common part of the recovery process. Relapsing doesn’t mean treatment or the individual failed. As with other chronic conditions like high blood pressure, a relapse may mean it’s time for an adjustment in treatment. 

The risk of relapse is highest during the first year after rehab. Continuing with therapy could reduce relapse risk by providing the ongoing support that’s needed during this vulnerable time. 

Therapists who are experienced in addiction issues can help clients identify relapse triggers and work on building the skills needed to avoid them. 

The Relationship Between Mental Health and Recovery

Addiction disorders can affect brain function in many ways. Substance use triggers the brain’s reward system and can change the chemical balance of the brain. 

Many people develop addiction issues because they are self-medicating undiagnosed or untreated mental health concerns. Around 35% of U.S. adults who’ve been diagnosed with a mental health condition have a comorbid substance use disorder. 

Therapy helps clients with dual diagnoses manage their mental health more efficiently. Changes in symptoms could indicate a need for an updated treatment plan. Staying proactive about mental wellness supports long-term recovery and helps ensure people get the medical attention they need before a relapse sets them back. 

Therapy Can Be a Wellness “Tune-Up”

You don’t have to continue seeing a therapist every week for the rest of your life to reap the benefits of therapy. People who lose momentum in their recovery or begin feeling stuck in their personal growth may choose to see a therapist for a limited amount of time for a mental health tune-up. Joining an online support group is also a great way to benefit from therapy without the cost or intensity of weekly individual sessions. 

Never Alone Recovery Is Here to Help

Finding rehabs that take insurance and dealing with insurance verification can make getting treatment more complicated than it needs to be. As addiction recovery consultants, Never Alone Recovery is here to help you find the treatment program that meets all your needs. Whether you are looking for a residential treatment program, an Indiana-based rehab or beyond, or a therapist-monitored online support group, call Never Alone Recovery at 866-788-8335.