The secret to changing behavior
On November 21, 2021 Aaron Beck died at age 100 in his Philadelphia home. Renowned as the father of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT),
Beck pioneered new techniques for correcting negative information processing biases. He was able to help patients feel better and adapt their behavior, and his new “Cognitive Therapy” revolutionized treatment of anxiety, personality, and substance use disorders.
CBT is based on the premise that how we think, feel, and behave are interrelated. Distorted thought patterns affect our behavior, and by identifying these thoughts we can overcome them in order to improve.
Reading an article like this one, as you are doing right now, is a form of Cognitive Behavior Therapy
A professional CBT therapist may ask clients to do homework, such as researching facts, writing down thoughts and feelings, or rehearsing a situation. For alcohol dependency in particular, learning about the causes and effects of alcohol abuse is an important step to understanding and then modifying distorted thought patterns.
Modern approaches to alcohol management, such as those used in recent books, rely on a gradual approach to changing our thinking about alcohol.
The first step is to learn
There is so much to know about why alcohol often gets the upper hand. It’s a fascinating drug.
The addictive nature of alcohol is subtle at first. Over time it feeds into a nefarious cycle that tricks the mind into believing that alcohol is a prerequisite for happiness. Understanding this allows many drinkers to see alcohol for what it is, and step back.
If you feel you need alcohol to enjoy yourself, or to unwind, to engage socially, or to have a fulfilling life, there is no shortcut for doing your research. Use this site as a resource, starting with the Learn menu above, and take the time to read more about how alcohol has been proven to distort your thoughts and behavior.