CBT for Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Comprehensive 80-Hour Training Program
This intensive workshop provides hands-on training for clinicians to effectively use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for treating Substance Use Disorders.
- Understanding substance use and relapse patterns
- Evidence-based CBT techniques for SUD
- Roleplays, case studies, and practical exercises
- Homework, assessments, and certification
Introduction to Substance Use Disorders
Learn the foundations of SUD:
- Definition and diagnostic criteria (DSM-5)
- Common substances of abuse: alcohol, opioids, stimulants, cannabis, nicotine
- Understanding tolerance, withdrawal, and dependence
- Social, psychological, and biological factors influencing addiction
Functional Analysis in CBT for SUD
Functional analysis identifies triggers, thoughts, emotions, and consequences maintaining substance use.
- Identifying high-risk situations
- Understanding antecedents and consequences
- Recognizing patterns and cravings
- Using chain analysis in therapy
Cognitive Techniques for SUD
- Challenging maladaptive thoughts about substance use
- Developing balanced thinking and coping self-talk
- Thought records for cravings and triggers
- Video modeling and examples
Coping Skills and Relapse Prevention
- Identifying and managing high-risk situations
- Developing refusal skills and assertiveness
- Managing cravings and emotional triggers
- Relapse prevention planning and strategies
Video Lecture: The Science of Addiction
Learn about brain mechanisms, reward pathways, and how substances affect behavior.
Substance Use Disorder Types
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Opioid Use Disorder
- Cannabis Use Disorder
- Stimulant Use Disorder (cocaine, amphetamines)
- Prescription Drug Misuse
- Behavioral Addictions (optional advanced topic)
Video Lecture: Consequences of SUD
Physical, social, legal, and occupational impacts of substance use.
Exercise: Reflect on Substance Use
Write down answers to the following:
- What substances are most common in your environment?
- What situations trigger substance use in others you know?
- How does substance use affect relationships and work?
Video Lecture: Motivational Enhancement
Explore the stages of change and how motivation impacts recovery.
Roleplay: Assess Motivation
In pairs, one plays the therapist and one the client.
- Use open-ended questions to explore readiness for change
- Practice reflective listening
- Identify ambivalence and discuss pros/cons of substance use
CBT Model Applied to Substance Use
- Trigger → Thought → Emotion → Behavior → Consequence
- Identify automatic thoughts that lead to substance use
- Learn to replace maladaptive behaviors with coping skills
- Emphasize relapse prevention strategies
Exercise: Identifying Triggers
Task: Write down triggers you observe in case examples or personal experience.
- Environmental (bars, parties)
- Social (peers, family influence)
- Emotional (stress, boredom, loneliness)
- Physiological (withdrawal, cravings)
Video Lecture: Coping Skills for High-Risk Situations
Learn adaptive coping skills for cravings, stress, and peer pressure.
Homework: Daily Craving Log
- Record every craving during 7 days
- Note trigger, intensity (0–10), and response
- Try at least one coping strategy each day
Roleplay: Coping with Urges
Practice urge-surfing, distraction, and relaxation techniques.
- Therapist gives hypothetical urge scenario
- Client practices coping skill and verbalizes steps
- Feedback and reinforcement
Video Lecture: High-Risk Situations
Learn how to anticipate and prevent relapse in challenging environments.
Group Exercise: Relapse Prevention
Participants break into small groups to:
- Analyze a relapse scenario
- Identify triggers and coping strategies
- Discuss alternative responses and prevention plan
- Present group findings
Cognitive Restructuring in SUD
- Identify distorted thoughts about substance use
- Challenge beliefs like “I need it to relax”
- Replace with adaptive thoughts: “I can relax using breathing or exercise”
- Practice thought-stopping and reframing techniques
Homework: Thought Record
- Record instances of craving or high-risk situations
- Write automatic thought, emotion, and intensity
- Challenge thought and write alternative response
- Review with trainer in next session
Video Lecture: Functional Analysis of Substance Use
Learn how to identify triggers, behaviors, and consequences in substance use patterns.
Case Study: Alcohol Use Disorder
Background: John, a 35-year-old male, reports drinking daily after work to relieve stress. He misses deadlines and has strained relationships.
Exercise: Conduct a functional analysis: identify triggers, behaviors, short-term and long-term consequences, and coping alternatives.
- Identify high-risk situations
- Note automatic thoughts before drinking
- List adaptive coping strategies
- Plan a relapse prevention strategy
Roleplay: Refusal Skills Training
“Imagine a friend offers you alcohol at a party. Practice saying ‘No’ confidently, while giving an explanation.”
“No thanks, I’m working on staying sober this month.”
Repeat with variations of peer pressure and substance types.
Homework: Trigger and Coping Journal
Objective: Identify triggers for substance use and develop coping strategies.
- Record each substance use episode over 7 days
- Note the context, thoughts, emotions, and consequences
- List at least 3 alternative coping strategies per trigger
- Bring the journal for discussion in the next session
Video Lecture: Relapse Prevention Strategies
Techniques to prevent relapse and maintain long-term recovery.
Group Activity: Developing Coping Skills
Participants will practice creating a personalized coping plan.
- Identify 5 high-risk situations for each participant
- Brainstorm coping strategies in small groups
- Roleplay responses in each scenario
- Share feedback with peers
Objective: Enhance confidence in managing cravings and high-risk triggers.
Case Study: Opioid Use Disorder
Background: Maria, a 28-year-old female, started prescription opioids after surgery and developed dependence. She hides usage from family and struggles with withdrawal symptoms.
Exercise: Develop a CBT plan for Maria including:
- Functional analysis of triggers and cravings
- Coping skills for withdrawal and stress
- Relapse prevention plan
- Engagement with support systems
Video Lecture: Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)
Learn motivational techniques to encourage behavior change and treatment engagement.
Homework: Behavioral Experiments
Objective: Test new behaviors and coping strategies to replace substance use.
- Choose a high-risk situation for the week
- Plan an alternative coping behavior
- Observe results and record feelings, thoughts, and outcomes
- Reflect and discuss in next session