Life Skills Therapy

Drug and alcohol addiction is a complex condition. It affects every part of your life and has deep roots in your behaviors, genetics, and more. Recovering from substance abuse requires thoughtful, comprehensive treatment.

Addiction rehab isn’t just about quitting drugs or alcohol. Meaningful recovery happens when you can learn what led to your substance use and how to avoid relapse.

Life skills therapy is a critical part of a comprehensive addiction treatment plan. This type of therapy allows you to focus on improving functioning and learning valuable skills that support sobriety. Learning new skills can help you avoid relapse and improve daily functioning.

In this article, we will explore what life skills therapy is and how it can support addiction recovery. You will also learn where to find the help you need to start your recovery journey.

Reach out to the Invigorate Behavioral Health team now to learn about our comprehensive rehab programs in Los Angeles. You may also ask questions, schedule an intake eval, and verify your insurance.

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Life Skills Therapy: An Overview

Addiction is a complicated condition that impacts each person in different ways. People with addiction may lose their ability to function, have strained relationships, and face many other challenges. People living with addiction may feel isolated, struggle to find and keep a job, or live with high levels of stress.

Life skills therapy lets people build a strong foundation of coping skills. These coping skills can help improve your functioning in many ways, including:

  • Better decision-making skills
  • Improved communication
  • Improved ability to find and keep employment
  • Better social functioning
  • Healthier relationships

Participating in life skills therapy can help you feel better about yourself and develop healthy habits that support long-term addiction recovery.

You may participate in life stills therapy as part of an addiction treatment plan. Inpatient and outpatient rehab programs incorporate life skills therapy into people’s treatment programs. Many people attend life skills therapy as part of their aftercare plan.

How Can Life Skills Therapy Help Me Avoid Relapse?

Along with other evidence-based therapies, life skills therapy can help you develop healthier habits, reduce stress, and improve overall functioning. Participating in life skills therapy can give people practical skills that reduce the risk of relapse.

Here are some of the skills you may learn during life skills therapy.

Self-care skills

When people think of self-care, they may imagine lighting scented candles or taking a long, hot bubble bath.

But real, meaningful self-care is more than just relaxation. It means creating a lifestyle that allows you to rest, nourish your body, and make other healthy decisions.

Some examples of self-care skills you may develop include:

  • Financial planning and management
  • Hygiene and exercise
  • Grocery shopping and cooking
  • Stress reduction techniques
  • Managing challenging emotions like anger, boredom, or depression

Learning how to structure your life in a healthy way is essential to recovery. Life skills therapy allows you to focus on taking care of yourself. You will learn how to make decisions that support your physical and emotional well-being.

Professional skills

Many people with a substance use disorder struggle with employment. Some lose their jobs because of their substance use, and others face personal or professional challenges.

Getting back on track during addiction recovery can be challenging. Many people lose valuable skills or experience to their addiction. Recovering or learning these skills can help people find and maintain employment.

Social skills

People with addiction often have strained relationships. Many people find themselves cut off from friends or family. They may only spend time with others who abuse drugs and alcohol.

Recovery may feel lonely. Life skills therapy focuses on teaching people valuable social skills, such as:

  • Healthy conflict resolution
  • Stress management
  • Social norms
  • Effective communication

These skills may help them repair or improve relationships. They can also support new, healthy ones.

The Benefits of Life Skills Therapy

Life skills therapy can be very effective as part of a comprehensive treatment program. Research shows that people who participate in life skills therapy during rehab have better outcomes in many areas of their lives.

Some of the most significant benefits of life skills therapy include:

  • A reduction in substance use
  • More self-confidence
  • Fewer risky behaviors
  • Lower risk of contracting AIDS and other bloodborne diseases
  • Better communication and social skills
  • Improved ability to make decisions
  • More self-efficacy
  • Reduced aggression
  • Less suicidal ideation and behaviors

People who participate in this type of therapy often shift how they feel about substance use. They may feel more empowered to make choices that support sobriety. They learn the tools they need to function and may feel more capable of living a healthy, sober lifestyle.

Find Help Now

If you or someone you love struggles with substance abuse, you are not alone. Effective, compassionate treatment is available at Invigorate Behavioral Health.

Contact our admissions specialists now to learn about our Los Angeles substance abuse treatment programs. You may also ask questions, learn more about addiction recovery, or schedule an intake appointment.

Our Admissions Coordinators are Available 24/7

Start your journey toward healing today by speaking with one of our dedicated admissions coordinators. We’re eager to help you begin your recovery.

Call (323) 900-5041

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