Cognitive Restructuring is More Successful than Drug Rehab Programs

Weak drug rehab curriculum results in an ineffective program. The program is missing the necessary energy and knowledge that is required to help people overcome addictions. A drug addicted person's cells are subtonically permeated with the DNA of every drug they've taken. They become wholly addicted: physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Every individual has a physical self and the ego self (mental, emotional, spiritual). At birth there's a permanent battle between the flesh and its desires. People who have a weak ego have less self-mastery. It's very easy for them to give into temptations. They spend their life chasing after their carnal desires and wind up in the pit of despair. They remain captive and worship the chemical of their choice.

To break loose from the chains forged one at a time by their bad decisions, requires that light and hope enter the ego self. To leave the darkness of this prison requires outside strength and encouragement. If the ego stays weak, lost, confused and swindled, they will never achieve sobriety.

Desire and self-awareness are the 1st steps toward sobriety. Self-deception, denial and pride are gigantic obstacles that restrain the addicted from leaving their prison. Humility, a willingness to abstain and emerge out of secrecy takes gut wrenching strength that some addicts cannot muster, especially all alone.

The one counseling tool that works best to help addicts overcome is cognitive restructuring. Cognitive restructuring helps the addicts to overcome their thinking errors and self destructive behaviors. This first step must be taken in order for the last to ever be achieved.

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Larry Lloyd is the founder of American Community Corrections Institute (ACCI), which sponsors a news blog on the subject of criminal behavior and related issues.