CBT comprises of heterogeneous treatment components that allow the therapist to use this approach across a variety of addictive behaviours, including behavioural addictions. Relapse prevention programmes addressing not just the addictive behaviour, but also factors that contribute to it, thereby decreasing the probability of relapse. Addictive behaviours are characterized by a high degree of co-morbidity and these may interfere with treatment response. Relapse prevention (RP) is a cognitive behavioural treatment program, based on the relapse prevention model27,28.
Social pressures
A model of the predictors of the discontinuous usage intention of pan-entertainment mobile live broadcast platforms. While identifying the exact signs of cognitive dissonance can be challenging, people who struggle with it often exhibit defense mechanisms such as avoidance, delegitimization, and limiting impact to cope with the discomfort. For example, they might avoid thinking about the conflicting ideas or come up with reasons to explain the differences. These actions are like ways of handling the uncomfortable feeling that comes from having contradictory thoughts and behaviors.
Alcohol Abuse and Cognitive Dissonance
These science-based exercises will provide you with a detailed insight into Positive CBT and will give you additional tools to address cognitive distortions in your therapy or coaching. Cognitive dissonance is not directly detectable, but it does present itself through a myriad of signs that manifest in one’s behavior and emotions. While these signs can vary, they all stem from the internal struggle between conflicting beliefs and actions. Seeking professional help for Cognitive Dissonance allows those with mental health conditions such as anger issues, personality disorders and addictions to make positive changes to their lifestyle, allowing them to move forward. Leon Fester, psychologist and author of the book; A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance (1957), proposed that people experience psychological unease when their beliefs are conflicting or when their actions and behaviours contradict each other. Is it a perception (as “cognitive” suggests), a feeling, or a feeling about a perception?
- That is, there is mental discord related to a contradiction between one thought (in this case, knowing he did something wrong) and another (thinking that he is honest).
- Leon Fester, psychologist and author of the book; A Theory of Cognitive Dissonance (1957), proposed that people experience psychological unease when their beliefs are conflicting or when their actions and behaviours contradict each other.
DRUGS OF ABUSE AND THE DEVELOPING BRAIN
We accomplish this by justifying why our choice was the best option so we can believe that we made the right decision. The inconsistency between what people believe and how they behave motivates them to engage in actions that will help minimize feelings of discomfort. People attempt to relieve this tension in different ways, such as by rejecting, explaining away, or avoiding new information. Adolescent exposures to other substances of abuse, such as alcohol, cannabis, and MDMA, also cause persistent disruptions of cognition (Brown et al., 2000; O’Shea, McGregor, and Mallet, 2006; Piper and Meyer, 2004; Stiglick and Kalant, 1982). These findings indicate that the adolescent brain, which is still developing, is susceptible to insult from drug use and abuse, and such insult can result in long-lasting changes in affect and cognition. Cocaine and nicotine can directly induce one form of synaptic plasticity, the strengthening of neural connections via a process known as long-term potentiation (LTP; see Learning in the Mind and Brain on page 8 and Table 1) (Argilli et al., 2008; Kenney and Gould, 2008).
Cognitive strategies in managing addictive behaviours
The focus of CBT is manifold and the focus is on targeting maintaining factors of addictive behaviours and preventing relapse. Relapse prevention programmes are based on social cognitive and cognitive behavioural principles. More recent developments in the area of managing addictions include third wave behaviour therapies. Third wave behaviour therapies are focused on improving building awareness, and distress tolerance skills using mindfulness practices.
- Moreover, the study highlights the significance of self-efficacy in regulating the relationship between information overload, service overload, user addiction, and cognitive dissonance.
- All this involves putting aside any previously held beliefs that may have been limiting or self-destructive in any way.
- Imagine a song played with the wrong notes – that’s how it feels when our thoughts and behaviors don’t align.
- He started using alcohol in his college, with friends and found that drinking helped him cope with his anxiety.
- Recent research has sought to account for the strikingly long-lasting ability of maladaptive drug-stimulus associations to influence behavior and provoke relapse.
- Moreover, individuals who suffer from mental disorders abuse drugs at higher rates than the general population.
Various psychological factors were significant in initiating and maintaining Rajiv’s dependence on alcohol. At the start of treatment, Rajiv was not keen engage to in the process of recovery, having failed at multiple attempts over the years (motivation to change, influence of past learning experiences with abstinence). If you experience cognitive dissonance, think about what result each of these actions will have in the long cognitive dissonance and addiction term before adopting them as a coping strategy. Is an accredited drug and alcohol rehabilitation program, that believes addiction treatment should not just address “how to stay sober” but needs to transform the life of the addict and empower him or her to create a more meaningful and positive life. We are dedicated to transforming the despair of addiction into a purposeful life of confidence, self-respect and happiness.
Challenge current beliefs
This exercise uses CBT theory and techniques to help you examine your irrational thoughts. You will act as the defense attorney, prosecutor, and judge all at once, providing evidence for https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/recommended-vitamins-for-recovering-alcoholics/ and against the irrational thought and evaluating the merit of the thought based on this evidence. Next, you have an opportunity to come up with an adaptive response to those thoughts.
