Brilliant Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, 2nd Edition

What’s the payoff?

The cognitive behavioural view of addictions and habits regards them all as forms of learned behaviour, reinforced by the rewards they provide for us. It’s important to acknowledge that addictions and habits persist because at some level they work for us. They can be genuinely pleasurable and may successfully (if only temporarily) relieve states of pain, tension, boredom or distress. This is why they become such powerfully conditioned responses. Addictions are dysfunctional coping strategies that help us get our needs met: it’s just that the way they meet those needs oftens comes at a heavy price. When we have an addiction or indulge a bad habit we want the immediate results; we turn a blind eye to the long-term consequences. ...