What is not a component of skills training for patients with addictions?

Skills training for patients with addictions focuses primarily on practical strategies that foster recovery and enhance coping mechanisms. Changing beliefs is essential because addressing and modifying cognitive distortions can influence motivation and commitment to treatment. Stress management techniques are vital as they help individuals cope with triggers and high-stress situations that may lead to substance use. Improving interpersonal communication is also critical because healthy relationships and social support play a significant role in recovery.

Examining unconscious symbolism, however, is not a typical component of skills training for addictions. This approach leans more towards psychodynamic or analytical therapies, which delve into deeper unconscious processes, and is not primarily focused on immediate, practical skills that patients can apply directly to manage their addiction. The skills training aspect emphasizes tangible behavior changes and coping strategies rather than exploring unconscious themes. Hence, this is correctly identified as not part of the core components in skills training for addiction recovery.