Robert R Labos
Executive Director, KAYA Rehab Asia, Philippines
Title: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy as an Effective Treatment Method in the ASEAN Setting
Biography
Biography: Robert R Labos
Abstract
The treatment of addiction is complex and broad in approach, without much study and work on regional and cultural realities thus resulting in poor outcomes. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was developed as a method to prevent relapse when treating alcoholism, and later it was modified for individuals with substance use disorder. Cognitive-behavioral strategies are based on the theory that in the development of maladaptive behavioural patterns like substance abuse, learning processes play an significant role. The use of CBT is to learn to identify and correct addictive behaviours by using a range of different skills that can be used to prevent drug abuse and to address an assortment of other problems that often co-occur with it.
A central element of CBT is anticipating likely problems and enhancing clients' restraint by helping them expand effective coping strategies. Specific techniques include looking into the positive and negative consequences of drug use, self-monitoring to identify cravings on the onset and recognize situations that might put one at risk for use, as well as developing strategies for coping with cravings and avoiding those high-risk situations.
Research indicates that the skills individuals become skilled at through cognitive-behavioral approaches remain after the completion of treatment. Current research focuses on how to produce even more influential effect by combining CBT with medications for drug abuse with other types of behavioural therapies. From sty particular practice of combining culturally sensitive factors we focus on a particular cognitive distortion described as personalisation. Doing so has been producing positive treatment outcomes.
Key Words: Treatment, Cognitive, Therapy