BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY WITH

THE WILLOWS TODAY!

young women learning about DBT before beginning a Dialectical Behavior Therapy programAre you looking for treatment for drug and alcohol dependency? If so, you probably want to know what to expect. What will rehab be like, and what types of therapy will you receive? The specialists at your chosen facility will design a course of treatment that suits your individual needs. A Dialectical Behavior Therapy program may be part of an individual treatment plan that sets you up for success.

What Is a Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program?

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a form of psychotherapy. It is derived from a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy program (CBT) but has some differences.

When Dr. Marsha Linehan created DBT in the late 1980s, its primary purpose was treating clients with bipolar disorder or suicidal tendencies. Later, professionals in the substance abuse field saw its usefulness in treating drug and alcohol dependency.

A Dialectical Behavior Therapy program can be just one component of a comprehensive treatment plan for people who need to overcome a pattern of destructive behavior.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program in Substance Abuse Treatment

How does DBT work as part of addiction therapy services? Like CBT, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy teaches that our thoughts influence our actions. For example, when people feel positive emotions, they act in positive ways. Likewise, when they feel sad, angry or anxious, they often act in ways that reflect that.

The challenge is getting people to realize that just because they are experiencing stress or negative emotions, they do not have to engage in negative behavior. People who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse often do so because they don’t know how else to cope when they feel bad.

Therapists who use DBT in substance abuse treatment add to CBT by showing clients that they can change their lives by choosing better actions. However, it also shows them that they should focus on things they can change while accepting things they cannot.

Benefits of DBT

Specialists use various therapies in treating substance dependency because it has a specific set of benefits. A Dialectical Behavior Therapy program offers benefits such as:

  • Teaches clients how to accept and deal with distress instead of running to unhealthy habits like drug and alcohol abuse as an escape
  • Improves their interpersonal skills
  • Increases their level of trust as they work in partnership with their therapist
  • Encourages mindfulness

There is also a more optimistic attitude that DBT encourages when compared to CBT. With dialectical behavior practices, clients grow empowered as they learn to acknowledge and accept their present reality. If they feel stressed, they do not instantly fight it or try to change it. Instead, they work to change what they can while accepting what they cannot.

Begin Your Path to Recovery

At The Willows, young women can experience a journey to recovery that encompasses all areas of health, from the physical to the mental and emotional. We are a women-only rehab facility located on a peaceful old horse farm in Asheville, North Carolina.

We provide a range of addiction treatment services, including:

If you or a loved one is tired of the destructive toll drug and alcohol abuse has taken on your life, it is time to make a change. Call the supportive and compassionate team at our treatment center. We will help you take a positive step toward a brighter future. Contact us today at 855.773.0614 to learn more about a Dialectical Behavior Therapy program.