There are many different therapies available for treating substance use disorders (SUDs), alcohol use disorders (AUDs), and other mental health issues. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is a means of talking through a person’s problems. Therapy sessions involve an individual and their therapist in different settings to find the root cause of their conditions and disorders and determine healthy ways of working past them.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a form of psychotherapy rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with strong educational components developed to provide skills for dealing with social relationships and coping with intense emotions.
DBT helps curb the self-destructive impulses of chronically suicidal patients, as well as treating borderline personality disorder, emotion dysregulation, and a growing collection of psychiatric conditions. It is made up of group discussions and individual therapy sessions, both conducted every week for six months to a year.
DBT draws techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), such as being mindful of negative thoughts and avoiding abhorrent behaviors combined with mindfulness practices, such as paying attention to the present moment and accepting reality for what it is. This type of therapy was initially developed for people with borderline personality disorder, a condition that involves difficulties with regulating emotions, impulsive actions, and volatile relationships. Over time, however, DBT has also been shown to be effective for other issues, such as mood disorders, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, substance abuse, and trauma. Dialectical behavior therapy is split into four treatment stages, which are determined by the severity of a person’s behaviors.
The cognitive triangle is a means of understanding how our thoughts, feelings, and actions are interconnected and how they influence each other. It is based on the principle that our thoughts directly affect our feelings, and our behaviors act on both our thoughts and feelings. For example, seeing yourself as worthless or useless will make you sad and depressed, and this may make you avoid social situations or give up on your ambitions. On the contrary, believing that you hold a purpose or some sort of value will make you feel happy and confident, and you will in turn challenge yourself to grow and excel.
The cognitive triangle is typically used in a psychotherapy type known as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which assists people in changing their negative or illogical thoughts and behaviors to improve their emotional well-being. Learning to identify and revise our thoughts allows us to change our feelings and actions for the better. The cognitive triangle can also help us comprehend how other people’s actions, thoughts, and feelings affect us in turn, and how we can communicate more effectively with them.
DBT is beneficial for substance abuse in the following ways:
DBT techniques for substance use disorders teach four skills to cope with emotional distress productively and positively. These four skills are also called the active ingredients. A standard DBT program can be broken down into five components, each serving a specific function:
Mindfulness
Distress Tolerance
Interpersonal Effectiveness
Emotional Regulation
1. DBT skills training: This practice is typically intended for people with Borderline Personality Disorder who have counseling sessions at least bi-weekly with a therapist in their community. People in this program will attend a weekly DBT Skills Training group that is encouraged by a skills therapist within a group resembling a class, and exercises are assigned that enable people to practice skills between sessions.
2. Mindfulness: This is the practice of being aware of and accepting of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the present moment, without classifying them as good or bad.
3. Distress tolerance: This is the ability to manage negative emotions or situations without inherently worsening them or resorting to unhealthy coping strategies.
4. Interpersonal effectiveness: Interpersonal effectiveness is the ability to healthily relate with others in a way that is respectful, assertive, and beneficial for both parties. This is the ability to manage and control your emotions so that they do not dictate your thoughts and actions. Individual psychotherapy is one-on-one sessions between a therapist and a patient that help the patient apply learned DBT skills to daily problems and situations. These sessions provide ample opportunities for the team to set individual goals and are normally held every week for 60 to 90 minutes.
In-the-moment counseling through telephone sessions, online chats, and other real-life counseling to provide in-the-moment support. The focus here is on generalizing skills and making sure they’re applied to their patient’s daily life. Case management techniques authorize the person to take control of their care and lives. The therapist applies the skills learned to teach their patient how to be their case manager and how to be autonomous.
The DBT consultation team’s primary task is supporting the people who provide DBT, including skills therapists, therapists, case managers, and others. This consultation team helps therapists and counselors stay motivated and competent, enabling them to provide the best possible treatment.
If you’re dealing with substance abuse, DBT could be an effective therapy choice for you. But how can you access it? The most effective method is to reach out to an addiction counselor or a treatment facility. DBT is offered at the majority of addiction treatment centers, such as Immersive Recovery Center. If you’re unable to visit a treatment center at the moment, they can often assist you in locating DBT therapists in your vicinity.
DBT is a potent tool in treating various disorders and mental health conditions. In cases of dual diagnosis, DBT, combined with other treatment methods, can help prevent relapses and self-harming behaviors as well as help you curb your cravings. DBT typically takes place in a clinical outpatient setting, but can also be incorporated into more intensive methods of treatment, such as residential or partial hospitalization day programs.
If you feel like you or a loved one would benefit from DBT, or you would like to find out more about DBT at Immersive Recovery and see how we can help you, contact us today to get the process rolling. You have the right to a healthy, meaningful, and happy life.
