Addiction is a treatable disorder, and research has led to the development of evidence-based methods that can help people stop using drugs and resume productive lives. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a valuable tool for treating many types of addictions, such as food addiction, alcohol addiction, and prescription drug addiction. CBT can help individuals recognize their unhealthy behavior patterns and learn to identify triggers and develop coping skills. It can also be combined with other therapeutic techniques, such as Rational Emotional Behavior Therapy (REBT) and Contingency Management (CM).
REBT helps individuals recognize their negative thoughts and provides ways to combat feelings of self-defeat, while CM reinforces positive behavior by providing tangible rewards. Although there is no definitive cure for addiction, it is possible to manage the symptoms of drug use and prevent drug abuse. Addiction is a lifelong illness, and former drug users should not experiment with substances other than the one they sought treatment for. The recently deceased writer and television personality Anthony Bourdain was criticized by some for using alcohol and cannabis recreationally, in what was apparently a very controlled and responsible manner, decades after he quit heroin and cocaine.
Can addiction be cured? No, not like that. Addiction is treatable, and with the right support, individuals can build a new, substance-free life. However, it is important to understand that the risk of relapse is always present. Scholarship has almost brainwashed people into believing that once an addict is always an addict and that complete abstinence is the only path to recovery.
While it may be tempting to use something you may have been addicted to or use it to increase a happy time or relax in normal life, the risk outweighs the benefit if you have had a problem with addiction.
