Addiction treatment involves different forms of therapy that help the addict address trauma and negative thought patterns. Relational framework therapy is a form of therapy that helps the individual set up the framework for their new life. Reviewing how relational framework therapy helps addicts shows patients what to expect when seeking professional help.

Identifying Language Structures that Drive Addiction

Identifying language structures that drive addiction and self-harm helps the patient rediscover ways to prevent negative outcomes. The therapist works with the patient to find what thoughts make them want to use drugs or consume alcohol. For example, “I am not enough,” implies that the individual is seeking outside validation from individuals who aren’t reciprocating their feelings. This is a go-to negative thought pattern that occurs when a significant other isn’t right for the patient. Instead of realizing that the failure to reciprocate these feelings doesn’t mean that the patient isn’t worthy of love, the therapy teaches that the individual isn’t the right person for the patient. It’s not that something is wrong with the patient or that they aren’t enough, but the individual just doesn’t share the same feelings.

Redirecting One’s Self in A Positive Direction

The therapy teaches the patient to redirect themselves in a positive direction when they start experiencing negative thought processes. For example, the thought, “I’m not worthy of love,” is replaced with, “I am worthy of love.” The negative thought patterns lead to anxiety, depression, and the desire to use. Redirecting the thoughts away from the negativity helps the patient change their mindset through careful practice. With the therapy, the patient isn’t taught to ignore their negative thoughts, they are taught to be aware of the negative thoughts, but they should replace the thought with a positive.

Realizing the Life You Want

Realizing the life the patient wants helps them to learn what they must do to achieve this life. Fighting addiction is the first step and recovering is the next. However, recovery is a lifelong battle for addicts, but new treatment options help the patients find a better way to manage their desire to use. Scientific approaches to addiction treatment help the individual create new brain pathways based on what they are learning instead of holding onto negative thoughts that create more reasons to use. Patients who want to learn more about fighting addiction can review more treatment options.

Taking Committed Actions and Achieving Goals

Toward the end of relational framework therapy, the patient starts to take committed actions and achieves more goals. They create a plan for their new life complete with milestones. The individual works with their therapists as the patient completes each milestone. The therapist helps the patient assess their plan as each goal is achieved.

Treating addiction involves therapy and a commitment to creating a better life. New treatment opportunities help the patients address negative thought patterns and grow as they fight addiction. Finding their best life is the ultimate goal for a successful recovery. Individuals who are suffering from addiction contact a counsellor right now.