Changing Seasons Treatment Services, Inc. believes that addiction is primarily a learned behavior, with secondary biological and neurological components.  We believe that some individuals may have a biological predisposition to addiction and have developed neurological changes because of their addiction, but that it takes environmental exposures (i.e., the substance itself, as well as the setting it is used in,) and the teaching influences of one�s associations (i.e., friends and family) to develop a substance abuse or dependence problem. 

This being the case, Changing Seasons Treatment Services, Inc. primarily takes a cognitive-behavioral theoretical approach to addiction.  The cognitive-behavioral interventions we use help the individual learn new, non-using, positive behaviors to address certain conduct that has resulted in the undesired, negative consequences in the past.  By focusing on the things a person can control, such as his/her thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and actions, our cognitive behavioral approach empowers the individual to take control of their own recovery and gives him/her the tools necessary to make other, pro-social changes to his/her life.  We enhance our cognitive behavioral methodology by utilizing a brief, solution-focused approach to address the individual�s immediate issues/needs, such as unemployment, housing, and transportation.  We also utilize a motivational enhancement therapeutic approach to help shift the individual from a passive, resistant-participant role to someone that is motivated and invested in his/her own treatment. 

Although we do not take the disease model approach to addiction, we do support and encourage clients to participate in self-help groups.  Just as we believe addictive behavior is something that is learned, we believe positive, recovery-related behavior is also something that is learned- through affirming environmental exposures and the teaching influences of one's positive associations.