Overview of Session 6: Skill Topic 4, Managing Thoughts About Marijuana Use
Total Time: 1 hour
Delivery Method: CBT-focused individual therapy
Material (form is at the end of this section):
• Managing Thoughts About Marijuana (form 6A)
Goal for This Session:
• To identify and learn to cope with automatic thoughts associated with marijuana use
Session Outline:
1. Reinforce that thoughts about marijuana use are normal
2. Identify thought patterns associated with use
3. Discuss automatic thoughts and strategies for coping
• Explain situations that may trigger automatic thoughts
— Nostalgia
— Testing control
— Crisis
— Feeling irritable when abstinent
— Escape
— Relaxation
— Socialization
— Improved self-image
— To-hell-with-it thinking
— No control
4. Explore conceptual difficulties
• Review material and probe for client’s understanding of basic concepts
• Use illustrations and examples
• Walk client through a using episode to understand thought processes
5. Develop skills for coping with automatic thoughts
• Explain three general principles for coping with thoughts about using
— A commitment to abstinence
— Recognition of drug-related thoughts
— Need for time to master automatic thoughts
• Describe specific strategies for managing thoughts about using; review Managing Thoughts About Marijuana (form 6A)
6. Practice skills for coping with automatic thoughts
• Demonstrate self-talk
— State a using thought and follow it with a challenging statement
— Make eye contact and speak clearly and confidently
— Repeat with other examples as necessary
• Have client practice with one of his or her using thoughts
— Support client’s phrasing of both thought and challenge
— Encourage client to be specific
— Identify any problems in client’s practice and ask client to try again
7. Assign between-session exercises
8. Prepare for end of treatment
9. Review and conclude session