Dialectical Behavior Therapy Program

MANY UNIQUE AND HELPFUL TYPES OF THERAPY CAN AID PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLE WITH ADDICTION. HOWEVER, PEOPLE TALK ABOUT SOME THERAPY METHODS MORE THAN OTHERS. AN EXAMPLE OF ONE THAT THEY DON’T TALK ABOUT ENOUGH IS DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY. WHAT IS THIS TYPE OF THERAPY, AND HOW DOES IT HELP THOSE WHO STRUGGLE WITH DRUG ADDICTION?

WHAT IS DIALECTICAL BEHAVIOR THERAPY?

As a type of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has many goals. The main one is to teach people how to live in the moment. Some other goals are to regulate emotions, healthily cope with stress, and improve relationships. All of these factors can assist people with addiction.

As useful as DBT is for addiction, its original purpose wasn’t to treat this disease. When it first emerged, it was a therapy for people with borderline personality disorder. Later, it spread to help people who exhibited self-destructive behaviors, including addictions of all kinds.

Sometimes addiction therapy services use DBT to aid people who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Using it in this manner is important because PTSD can be an underlying cause of addiction.

KEY PRINCIPLES OF DBT

To understand how a dialectical behavioral therapy program works, people have to understand its principles. In general, there are three main concepts, which include:

1. All things in people’s lives connect
2. Change not only happens but is inevitable
3. Opposite views can help people form clearer pictures of the truth

With these fundamental principles, DBT helps people resolve issues between self-acceptance and change. Dialectical behavior therapy also focuses a lot on validation. Experts find that people who participate in this counseling method are more likely to cooperate during treatment.

CHANGING BEHAVIORS

One of the main reasons why DBT is so effective is because it helps people change their behaviors. They not only change their behaviors but also do so in a positive way. Experts can use a few different strategies during DBT to encourage this progress.

The first step is to practice mindfulness meditation. This technique helps people to focus on the present. For them to overcome substance abuse, they have to focus on their present selves.

DBT also teaches people how to build distress tolerance. Stress and turmoil are some of the main reasons why people turn to drugs in the first place. They look for something, anything, that can reduce stress and help them forget about their situation. Learning techniques to survive these crises is a critical factor in preventing relapse.

The next focus in DBT is on maintaining healthy and positive relationships. A dialectical behavioral therapy program teaches people interpersonal effectiveness. It helps them become more assertive in their relationships without passing on negative emotions. For example, they learn how to simply say “no” without causing harm to the relationship.

Lastly, DBT helps people regulate their emotions. They have to not only recognize but also cope with their negative feelings. Keeping these emotions in check is essential in quickly and safely overcoming drug addiction.

PEARL OF THE SEA RETREAT OFFERS DBT

At Pearl of the Sea Retreat, we understand how crucial dialectical behavior therapy is to addiction treatment. For that reason, we use DBT and other therapies to create custom treatment plans for everyone. Some of these other services include:

• Individual and group therapies
• Trauma counseling
• Holistic therapy
• Motivational interviewing
• Men’s rehab program
• Women’s rehab program

Pearl of the Sea Retreat provides healing addiction therapy services. We find that keeping luxury in mind makes for a more seamless recovery. In fact, we offer several fantastic outdoor activities. Our goal is to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

Don’t settle for a rehab center that gives you anything less than the best. Learn more about dialectical behavior therapy to find out if it’s right for you. Reach out to Pearl of the Sea Retreat to start your recovery today.