When trying to maintain recovery, there will be times when you want to give up the struggle and begin using again. However, addiction therapy programs may help to prevent a relapse. Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT therapy for substance abuse, involves emotion regulation, mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance. By keeping your emotions in check, you can better assess your readiness and willingness to tackle your addiction problem.
At Pines Recovery Life Detox, our dialectical behavior therapy program can keep you or someone you care about on the right track. Learn more about our therapy programs by calling 800.263.3869 or completing our online form.
DBT Therapy for Addiction
Trust is one of the major issues for those undergoing addiction recovery. Originally used to treat borderline personality disorder, DBT has also treated depression, PTSD, and substance abuse. Dialectical behavior therapy is used to ensure that you can trust others as you work through your addiction issues. A dialectical approach tries to blend two opposing viewpoints. In this case, that would be change and acceptance. Part of the early work in DBT centered around trying to help people with suicidal ideation to find something hopeful to cling to instead of focusing on their unhappiness.
But both change and acceptance were concepts on their own that upset the patients. When prompted to consider how they could change their behavior, some were sensitive to criticism and began to shut down or act out with anger at the therapist. On the other hand, the concept of acceptance made them feel as if their pain and experience were being minimized. But by combining both concepts into dialectical behavior therapy for substance abuse, the patients were able to compartmentalize their pain and suffering. By balancing their desire to rid themselves of painful experiences with the ability to accept that life is not always fair or enjoyable, they could put their pain into perspective.
The modalities of DBT therapy for substance abuse include:
- Behavioral modification leads to self-acceptance.
- Emotional regulation helps you control intense emotions that may get in your way.
- Mindfulness allows you to see the big picture and stay in the moment.
- Interpersonal effectiveness aids assertive communication while repairing relationships and rebuilding self-respect.
- Distress tolerance prevents you from avoiding negative emotions and dealing with them immediately.
4 Components of DBT Therapy for Substance Abuse
As with all forms of talk therapy, individual counseling sessions are where therapist and patient begin. The therapy is designed to fit and work with the patient’s personality. These therapy sessions are held weekly throughout the recovery period. Skills are taught to help the patient come to terms with their situation. These include behavior modification, emotional regulation, mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and distress tolerance.
The therapist is always just a phone call away. They can advise the patient on how to use emotional regulation and distress tolerance techniques to manage their emotions and feelings and better deal with stressful situations. Team consultation is when our therapists hold each other accountable to treat their patients best.
Reach Out to Pines Recovery Life Detox Today for DBT Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy tries to merge two opposing viewpoints into a therapeutic approach that allows the patient to see how change and acceptance can combine to alleviate negative feelings. DBT, in conjunction with other therapies that branch out from the cognitive-behavioral tree, helps the patient realize how their strengths and weaknesses are both permanently part of them but do not have to impair their ability to realize their full potential.
At Pines Recovery Life Detox, serving the South Florida community, we have a full slate of therapeutic programs, including CBT and DBT, that effectively treat our patients’ mental health. We provide a safe space where healing can happen, and you can begin moving forward on your recovery journey. We can be reached online or at 800.263.3869 for you to take the first step on your journey to wellness and recovery.
