Understanding The Benefits of DBT For Addiction

Leveraging Premier Behavioral and Mental Health Interventions For Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Obtain Victory Over Substance Use With The Right Tools For Healing

Substance use disorder (SUD) is far deeper than simply alcohol or drug addiction. It changes who you are as a person and alters what you’re capable of. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for substance use disorder helps you learn to manage your emotions, mental focus, and emotional maturity in order to be successful in recovery. On this foundation, you can build a safe, healthy new life worth living and enjoy positive outcomes at home, work, school, and in relationships.

Making wholesale changes in life and practice isn’t easy. But clarity begins to take shape when you can see a clear path from where you are now and where you wish to be. This is the point at which anything is possible with the right support. At Crestone Wellness, we offer you or your loved one the essential tools and support needed to address potential underlying mental health and behavioral patterns that influence substance use. As Austin’s premier wellness facility, we focus on redefining your recovery journey by fostering abundance and joy at every opportunity.

What is DBT For Addiction?

‌Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is related to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and was originally created to treat Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD. Dialectical means to combine two opposing ideas, and since the initial findings (Marsha Linehan, 1970), it has also been proven to treat a number of mental health disorders, including:[1]

substance use disorders
co-occurring disorders
eating disorders
depression
chronic suicidal tendencies

In most cases, DBT for addiction treatment is a weekly intervention with both individual and group applications, totaling approximately 2 to 5 hours per week or as needed based on individualized treatment plans. Working directly with a licensed and experienced therapist or clinician, you will learn to envision, articulate, pursue, and sustain life goals that are removed from harmful patterns.[2]

At Crestone Wellness during inpatient detox and rehab, we’re committed to fostering a positive addiction treatment experience and providing a safe, effective, supportive environment where you can thrive. Our compassionate team is here for you at every step of your journey, helping you cultivate a life worth living.

How (and Why) DBT For Addiction Works

Dialectical behavior therapy for substance use disorders goes deeper than simply sustaining sobriety. The core principle of the DBT framework is to establish a “clear mind”: a state of abstinence but heightened awareness of potential triggers and obstacles. [3] Your DBT therapist will work closely with you to reduce harmful behaviors in your life that contribute to a low quality of life, treatment obstacles, and substance use.[4]

DBT skills and techniques learned in treatment include:[5]

Emotional Regulation: Safely and effectively managing emotions.
Mindfulness: Elevating awareness and focus.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Improving communication, boundaries, and relationships.
Distress Tolerance: How to accept and navigate a crisis.

As you gain a better understanding of your internal functioning and how to cultivate more positive outcomes, you begin to establish greater self-reliance and build the coping skills needed to maintain abstinence. Once this foundation is established, sessions may decrease as needed.

Alcohol and drug addiction treatment programs at Crestone Wellness aim to leverage all aspects of treatment, support, training, and practice at the highest levels of effective treatment. This is how we facilitate your tailor-made recovery solution as you build a sustainable pathway to sobriety, peace, and success.

Substance Abuse Therapies

Efficacy of DBT For Addiction

Despite its initial application for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), DBT and addiction treatment go hand-in-hand in industry-leading treatment centers like Crestone Wellness. In recent studies investigating the efficacy of DBT for both alcohol use and drug use, it was revealed that after treatment, 81% of participants reported no substance use, and six months later, 63% still reported the same. [6]

Additionally, the implementation of DBT addiction skills continued to increase over time and was still noticeably present 6 months after treatment, making a positive impact on daily life.[7] The two most important components of measuring treatment success are abstinence and improved quality of life. The impact of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for substance use disorder shows marked improvement in both areas.

What to Expect from DBT For Addiction

In individual therapy sessions, patients will work directly with clinicians to enhance their capacity for the four core components of this modality: Emotional Regulation, Mindfulness, Interpersonal Effectiveness, and Distress Tolerance. In addition to covering the core components, group therapy sessions will also incorporate an opportunity to practice the DBT skills training learned in private sessions.[8]

DBT For Addiction at Crestone Wellness

Our detox and substance abuse treatment center is equipped with state-of-the-art amenities in a serene environment to promote focus, wellness, and healing. Every patient will receive a fully customized treatment plan tailored to their unique needs. Before beginning any treatment, you will participate in a comprehensive assessment to determine what modalities will fit your needs.

Every one of our cutting-edge treatment approaches is based on the latest evidence-based techniques and, with your dedication, designed for the best possible outcomes. Our goal is to facilitate lasting sobriety and holistic wellness by implementing mindfulness, yoga, balance, and other interventions for healing.

Frequently Asked Questions about DBT For Addiction

How do we use DBT for addiction recovery?

DBT is particularly beneficial for addressing emotional dysregulation, which is one of the common factors that influence substance use and can complicate the recovery process.[9] By addressing this obstacle immediately, all future interventions have a better chance of being successful.

When is DBT not appropriate?

DBT is applicable across multiple disorders but may not be appropriate for someone with reduced intellectual capacity or someone suffering from severe schizophrenia. However, the best way to know what works for you is to seek professional treatment.

What is a co-occurring disorder, and can DBT help with that?

A co-occurring disorder is when two mental health or substance use disorders are both present in one patient. For example, substance use disorder and bipolar disorder or substance use and anxiety. These must be treated together from a holistic perspective.

Sources

[1][2][3][4] Dimeff, L. A., & Linehan, M. M. (2008). Dialectical behavior therapy for substance abusers. Addiction Science & Clinical Practice, 4(2), 39-47. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2797106/

[5]Linehan, M. M. (2010). Dialectical behavior therapy: What is it? American Journal of Psychotherapy, 64(2), 175-185. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2963469/

[6][7][8][9]Flynn, D., Joyce, M., Spillane, A., Wrigley, C., Corcoran, P., Hayes, A., Flynn, M., Wyse, D., Corkery, B., & Mooney, B. (2018). Does an adapted Dialectical Behaviour Therapy skills training program result in positive outcomes for participants with a dual diagnosis? A mixed methods study. BMC Psychiatry, 18(1), 1-12. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6694661/