Dialectical Behavior Therapy For Addiction Recovery
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) seeks to get to the root cause of substance abuse. Living with a chemical dependency is difficult for most people. In fact, addiction generally destroys everything in the path of the addicted; health, safety, jobs and more. Over time, it may even destroy your closest relationships beyond repair. Thankfully, all addicts can benefit from addiction treatment modalities.
However, it's imperative to recognize that not all addiction treatment methods are created alike. Your recovery depends on choosing the one that fits you best. For example, what helps one person find success and get their life back might not work as well for someone else. Find an addiction treatment program that generates a high rate of positive outcomes and that is easily customized to fit your needs. One such method is known as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
What Are the Benefits of Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
DBT can vary from facility to facility. Features of treatment will likely be individualized to each patient’s unique needs. However, the overall method is shown effective for three major reasons:
- Better control of emotions
- Increased self-management of trauma
- Improved interpersonal relationships
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was first created as an alternative to traditional methods that weren’t effective for certain clients. It seeks to treat addiction by getting to the root causes behind it. This may include anything from behavioral issues to interpersonal problems.
DBT differs from traditional addiction therapies in several different ways. It provides the patient with tools to develop self-awareness and teaches coping skills. Additionally, it includes both group therapy and individual therapy sessions. The goal is not just to deal with addiction to alcohol and drugs, but to come out of the process a better, more well-balanced person. A person fully equipped to live life free of drugs and alcohol.
DBT has shown to be effective in reducing treatment dropout rates. DBT is a form of psychotherapy that was originally developed to treat women with histories of suicidal ideations, or other self-harming behaviors. It was also developed for those suffering from borderline personality disorder.
DBT combines standard cognitive-behavioral techniques for emotional stability. Concepts include distress tolerance, acceptance, and mindfulness. Research has demonstrated that DBT is effective in harm reduction, treatment attrition, substance abuse, anger and in interpersonal relationships.