No two recovery journeys are ever the same. Some patients may benefit from a range of evidence-based and holistic treatment options, while others may benefit from only evidence-based treatment. DBT is a common type of evidence-based psychotherapy that helps patients manage their emotions and negative thoughts so they can improve their well-being. In this article, you’ll learn more about dialectical behavior therapy in addiction treatment, and how it could help your recovery journey.
At East Coast Recovery Center, we are a top-rated recovery center in Massachusetts that helps patients break free from the chains of addiction for good. Each patient’s recovery journey is unique. That’s why we provide a wide variety of addiction treatment options so you can receive the best possible care for your unique recovery needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you achieve long-lasting sobriety.
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?
Before exploring dialectical behavior therapy in addiction treatment, it’s critical to understand what dialectical behavior therapy is. DBT is a type of psychotherapy that helps people better manage their emotions and incorporate coping strategies into their lives so that they can effectively manage their emotions and improve their quality of life and relationships.
DBT can look like practicing emotional regulation where an individual becomes more aware of their emotions and how they are impacting themselves and those around them. Then, the individual can work toward managing their emotions in a healthy manner, rather than lashing out or spiraling when they are experiencing a negative emotion.
Additionally, mindfulness is another significant component of DBT and can involve understanding your thoughts, emotions, and feelings without judgment so you can try to better understand 1) why you are feeling that way and 2) how you can lessen the emotional charge of those emotions.
How DBT Can Help Your Addiction Recovery Journey
As you can see, DBT can be helpful for individuals to effectively recognize negative thought patterns and emotions so they can better regulate those emotions and lead a more stable and healthy life. DBT can help your addiction recovery journey by making you not only aware of mood swings or negative thought patterns in your life but also providing you with techniques you can use to cope with those thoughts and emotions in a healthy manner, rather than turning to drugs or alcohol.
Unfortunately, some recovering addicts who do not have a healthy way to effectively manage their emotions may be at an increased risk of relapsing. This is because if you are constantly experiencing negative thought patterns or mood swings, this can make you more vulnerable to making unhealthy decisions to cope with negative thoughts or feelings.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and/or mental illness, it’s critical to seek professional support so you can lead a healthier, happier life. Dialectical behavior therapy is just one of the many therapies and treatment options available to help patients effectively address their drug or mental health disorder so that they can lead healthier lives. From other talk therapy options like CBT, to group therapy, and holistic treatment approaches, there are a variety of treatment options that can help you safely and effectively recover. You should never feel too afraid or ashamed to ask for help in leading a better life!
Help Is Available
Now you know more about dialectical behavior therapy in addiction treatment. DBT can help identify negative thoughts, emotions, and feelings you may be having so you can work toward addressing them and building healthy coping strategies to lessen the emotional charge behind these thoughts and feelings. Ultimately, DBT can help better regulate an individual’s thoughts and emotions so that they are at less of a risk of turning back into old unhealthy habits like abusing drugs or alcohol.
Our experienced team of caring addiction specialists and mental health professionals are here to help you achieve long-term sobriety. Whether you are struggling with a co-occurring disorder, severe addiction, or another mental illness or SUD, our team is here to ensure you receive the personalized care you need to effectively progress along your road to recovery. Ready to start your road to recovery? Contact us today!
