What is Psychotherapy?
The reason why treatment is essential to overcoming an addiction, alcoholism, or substance abuse disorder is that all three conditions are chronic, meaning they continuously get worse until you receive help. Treatments like psychotherapy are highly effective during the recovery process, but what is psychotherapy and how does it help treat addiction?
Substance abuse disorders and addiction impact millions of Americans. Unfortunately, most people who are battling a substance abuse disorder or alcoholism fail to get help. For example, only 7.9% of Americans with an alcohol abuse disorder complete treatment. If you or a loved one struggle with addiction, don’t delay! Psychotherapy at The Ranch PA can help you begin your recovery journey today.
Addiction and Recovery
Addiction is a mental health disease that causes you to compulsively abuse drugs or alcohol despite having a strong desire to quit or enduring increasingly severe negative consequences as a result of your use. That means addiction doesn’t occur because you have a lack of willpower or don’t want to quit. Addiction also has no known cause, meaning that anyone, regardless of age, race, or gender, can ultimately develop a substance abuse disorder.
Addiction also alters your brain chemistry and can change your emotions, judgment, and behavior. When you are struggling with a substance abuse disorder, your substance of choice slowly becomes the most important thing in your life. As your tolerance builds, you have to increase your use in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms and to experience the same pleasurable effects of intoxication.
Abusing drugs and alcohol also creates significant neurotransmitter imbalances and results in your brain associating everything that reminds you of your substance of choice with pleasure. This causes you to endure intense cravings whenever you’re exposed to triggers.
Recovery requires learning how to cope with symptoms like cravings, as well as how to live life without relying on drugs and alcohol. Although addiction is chronic, recovery allows you to learn how to manage your symptoms effectively.
What is Psychotherapy?
One of the most effective ways substance abuse disorders are treated is through the use of psychotherapy. But what is psychotherapy? Simply put, psychotherapy is an evidence-based treatment that focuses on helping you gain improved self-awareness, which can help you address the underlying causes of your addiction. Psychotherapy can also:
- Improve your problem-solving skills
- Improve your communication skills
- Help you identify and change negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
- Improve cognition
If you’re still wondering “what is psychotherapy?”, think of psychotherapy as a long-term, talking-based therapy that allows you to have a safe place to focus on self-improvement. Psychotherapists usually have graduate-level degrees, meaning that they have additional training and can also diagnosis mental health disorders.
Finding Treatment Today
If you’re struggling with a substance abuse disorder or addiction, you’re not alone. While having an addiction can make you feel trapped and isolated, recovery can offer you the tools and skills you need to regain control over your life. To learn more about how to answer “what is psychotherapy?”, and find out more about our substance abuse treatment programs, contact us today at 717.969.9126.
