Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an increasingly popular form of therapeutic technique that has a wide range of uses for those with mental health and substance use disorders. At Fresh Start Recovery Center, dialectical behavior therapy is part of many of our clients’ treatment plans. If you’re interested in learning more about dialectical behavioral therapy for substance abusers, reach out to our friendly Fresh Start Recovery Center team today by calling 833.625.0398 or completing our online contact form.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Dialectical behavior therapy is an effective treatment for those with substance use disorders (SUDs). In order to get your life back on the right track, it’s essential to have acceptance of what you can control and what you cannot. You can learn to control cravings, which is a necessary part of living a life of sobriety while in recovery.
People often turn to substance use as a coping mechanism. Self-destructive behaviors are a means of playing out dysfunctional emotional states. Drugs and alcohol might appear like a quick fix when in reality, over time, they further degrade a person’s physical and mental health.
DBT can help clients learn to accept their situation. Acceptance is a significant turning point in the ability to move forward. Acceptance is a way of taking back power. This empowerment can be the nudge a person needs to take steps towards lasting sobriety.
In DBT sessions, clients learn techniques to:
- Control cravings
- Manage unhealthy emotions
- Develop relapse prevention skills
- Stay on a healthy schedule
- Enhance sleep hygiene
- Improve nutrition
- Initiate an exercise regimen
- Set positive goals
Learning to have a balanced life provides an overall sense of well-being that allows a person to move through the world without having frequent mental health crises in response to minor triggers. Being able to navigate triggers, tamp down negative thoughts, and the temptation to act in inappropriate ways, is an essential part of DBT therapy over the long term.
How Does DBT Differ from CBT?
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely known forms of modern therapy. In CBT sessions, counselors work with clients to better understand themselves. A person’s perceptions are usually not entirely accurate. CBT helps clients learn to have improved comprehension and a more realistic sense of reality.
In DBT sessions, clients delve deeper into their day-to-day routines and emotional states. The goal of DBT differs from CBT. In DBT, the approach is more hands-on. Like CBT, clients are encouraged to work on gaining a better perspective on their actions and how they are likely perceived by others. Unlike CBT, DBT focuses on learning to control negative thought patterns and problematic behaviors.
A crucial part of DBT involves learning harm reduction strategies. A life of addiction does not simply hurt the person who uses drugs but also those who love the person and interact with them regularly. Homework is an important aspect of DBT. Outside of DBT sessions, clients need to continue to work on themselves in an active, not passive, manner. By remaining vigilant, clients can learn to control their thoughts, statements, how they engage in conversation, and their life choices. An overall goal is to be able to move through the world without constantly having regrets about your choices and actions.
A guiding force in DBT therapy involves the concept that the counselor and the client develop a genuine relationship. Both therapist and client work hard together to meet established goals. It becomes a team effort to make progress, and both sides need to put in the effort and pull their own weight.
Contact Fresh Start Recovery Center to Learn More About DBT
Our mental health counselors at Fresh Start Recovery Center are trained in dialectical behavior therapy and know it is an effective tool to help people recover from addiction and find lasting recovery. To learn more about the benefits of DBT, reach out to us today online or at 833.625.0398 to speak with a trained representative. We look forward to helping you on your path to recovery.
