Treatment Addictions Santa Pola
SANTA POLA PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENTS
An addiction develops when the control capacity is lost when consuming a certain substance or carrying out specific behavior. If a substance was previously consumed or a behavior was performed sporadically and punctually, over time it becomes a habit that also dominates the person. This loses the capacity for choice, so the situation becomes delicate and negative consequences appear that seriously affect the life of the person (personal, family, work, economic problems, etc.).
On the other hand, we must learn to differentiate between the two types of addictions that exist:
- Addictions to substance (drug dependence on alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, etc.).
- Addictions to certain behaviors (ludopathy, sex, purchases, video games, etc.).
Suffering an addiction generates great discomfort for both the affected person and for their environment. It is essential to go to adequate psychology professionals in order to address the situation as soon as possible. The intervention process is based on knowing in detail the vital history of the patient in order to discover the history of consumption (problematic substance or behavior, amount of consumption, situations that promote consumption or activity, economic expense, route of administration, treatments carried out above, etc.) Once the psychologist has all the information, realistic and attainable objectives will be established jointly. Next, the intervention will be carried out and strategies that help the patient will be used in their change process.
How do we work addictions in our psychology consultation?
The treatment that the professional will carry out before an addiction corresponds to motivational therapy and with cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Techniques to face therapy and addiction treatment:
- Psychoeducation: We explain to the patient the myths that currently exist on addictive substances. We also explain how addiction psychobiology works (continuous drug use causes adaptive changes in the brain, which would explain tolerance). On the other hand, the professional also helps the patient to become aware and recognize his addiction.
- Motivation for change: the professional helps the patient to perform an analysis of the advantages of not consuming divided into vital areas (health, family, work, etc.)
- Cognitive restructuring: the objective of this technique is that the patient understands the relationships between situations, their thoughts, their emotions, craving and the use of substances. To do this, the patient is explained how the A-B-C model works and the irrational ideas that can influence patient consumption are explored.
- Techniques to handle craving: craving is defined as the irresistible need to consume. The professional agrees with the patient a series of guidelines to follow when craving appears (eg, leave the place where you are, if you are at home change room). To do this, the patient is also trained in distraction techniques such as focusing on an object, sensory awareness, mental exercises, absorbent activities, etc.
- Modification of lifestyle: helping the person to develop a healthy interest towards them emotional, adopt a healthy lifestyle and cultivate the sense of humor.
- Skill training: The professional will help you awareness about your emotions, emotional regulation and problem solving, discomfort tolerance (boredom and emptiness) and interpersonal efficiency (learn to say no).
- Relapse prevention: the professional agrees with the patient a series of guidelines to be carried out to allow the person to make decisions in situations in which there is a risk of relapse.
