Updated March 2026
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a structured, goal-based talk therapy method. It can help treat mental health conditions and substance use disorders, and is based on one simple premise: you are what you think. How and what you think directly affect how you feel and behave.
During CBT sessions, a trained therapist will help you reframe the way you think, which in turn changes how you feel and act. Rather than working through past experiences, cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on the present and future, making it especially helpful during recovery.
Change the way you think with CBT. Schedule a consultation now.
Emphasizing CBT in addiction recovery
CBT is an important part of many addiction treatment programs today, in part because it’s evidence-based. Evidence-based means that it’s been proven to help people manage mental health symptoms and reduce substance use.
Research has shown that cognitive-behavioral therapy may be effective because it reduces the reinforcement of substance use (what makes drugs or alcohol appealing).1 It also helps shift behaviors toward healthier ones while building healthy coping skills. With better skills and new ways of thinking, people in recovery who engage in CBT are better equipped to prevent relapse and continue making progress.
CBT can be an effective standalone therapy, but it’s often more effective when used alongside other methods, like family therapy.
Why co-occurring disorders develop and how CBT can help
Addiction and mental health go hand in hand. Substance use disorders commonly co-occur with conditions like PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Many people self-medicate their symptoms with drugs or alcohol (knowingly or unknowingly), and substance use itself can make mental health worse.
Relying on substances as the only way to cope with stress, regulate emotions, and manage other symptoms makes it harder to stop. At the same time, tolerance develops, meaning people have to use more of a substance to get the same effect.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps break the cycle of substance use and manage mental health symptoms. It’s used in integrated treatment for co-occurring conditions, which treats both at the same time.
The core pillars of cognitive-behavioral therapy
Since CBT is a skill-based therapy, its pillars are based on teaching people new ways of thinking and behaving. These pillars include:
- Cognitive restructuring: The core of CBT, cognitive restructuring teaches people how to recognize their thoughts and feelings so they can unlearn and/or change them.
- Behavioral activation: Mental health and substance use issues are often tied to unhelpful behaviors. CBT helps people build healthier habits and learn problem-solving skills.
- Skills training: People learn real, healthy ways to cope in CBT. Relaxation techniques calm the body and mind, role-playing sessions help with social interactions, and learning to face challenges rather than avoid them makes them more approachable.
- Goal-oriented treatment: CBT is structured and goal-oriented. Therapists work together with clients to set and achieve specific goals over a limited number of sessions.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy and behavioral health services near Austin, TX
CBT is a major part of our holistic approach to addiction treatment at The Arbor. Located in Georgetown, TX, our trusted behavioral health center provides residential, intensive outpatient (IOP), and gender-specific programming. We are dedicated to helping people in our community, no matter where they are in their recovery journey. Our team is also experienced in helping people with co-occurring trauma conditions, depression, anxiety, and more.
Getting started is easy. Just call our admissions team (have your insurance information handy), and we’ll help verify your benefits so you can get started in treatment as soon as possible. If you need help with documentation to take time off from work, we can help with that, too. Just call 844.413.2690 or reach out online.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy FAQs
What are CBT exercises?
CBT exercises are tools and practices used in individual and group sessions to help reinforce its pillars. They help identify problems or triggers, recognize unhelpful thoughts, change those patterns, develop balanced replacement thoughts, and practice new responses. Common exercises include reframing thoughts, facing fears, and relaxation and grounding.
How does CBT differ from DBT?
While both are effective forms of talk therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy primarily focuses on the direct relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and current behaviors, helping you reframe negative cognitions to change how you act. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), on the other hand, places more emphasis on emotional regulation, mindfulness, and accepting uncomfortable thoughts.
Who is CBT suitable for?
People of all ages can benefit from CBT. It is highly suitable and especially beneficial for people dealing with substance use disorders, alcohol use disorder, and co-occurring mental health challenges.
What does CBT help with?
CBT is a valuable tool for treating a wide range of conditions. Mental health professionals use it to successfully treat and manage depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorders, relationship issues, stress, and coping difficulties.
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