What type of therapy primarily focuses on the cognitive aspects of addiction?

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic approach that focuses primarily on how cognitive processes contribute to an individual's behaviors and emotional states, especially in the context of addiction. CBT operates on the premise that negative thought patterns can lead to maladaptive behaviors, such as substance abuse. By identifying and challenging these distorted thinking patterns, individuals can learn to modify their behaviors and develop healthier coping strategies.

Within the framework of CBT, specific techniques such as cognitive restructuring, skill-building, and exposure therapy are employed to help clients understand the relationship between their thoughts, emotions, and actions. This makes it especially effective in treating addiction, as it empowers individuals to change the cognitive triggers that may lead them back to substance use.

The other options, while valuable in their own right, do not primarily emphasize cognitive processes. Motivational Interviewing is more focused on enhancing a client’s motivation to change. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy combines cognitive and behavioral approaches but is primarily oriented toward emotion regulation and interpersonal skills. Group Therapy facilitates support through shared experiences but is not specifically focused on cognitive interventions. Therefore, when considering which type of therapy addresses the cognitive aspects of addiction most directly, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy stands out as the correct choice.