Brilliant Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, 2nd Edition

Stage three: action

This is the point at which your newfound resolution has to be translated into a practical and realistic plan that you stick to. There are a number of principles you should adhere to if you want to create effective change.

Set realistic goals

You must decide what the right targets are for you. For some people, aiming for total abstinence is the way to go since anything less exposes them to cues that increase their risk of relapse. For others, it makes sense to set more modest goals, particularly if you are in the process of tackling a physical dependency: going ‘cold turkey’ can be so assaulting to your body that many people quickly collapse under the pressure. Sometimes focusing on reducing the quantity of a substance used, ...