Dialectical Behavior Therapy is support-oriented
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) falls under the umbrella of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Originally developed by psychologist Masha Linehan as a modification of CBT, DBT is often used as one of many tools in drug rehab programs to help an addict come to grips with his addiction and to make positive changes toward drug-free living. This takes place within the context of both individual and group therapy.
According to an article released by Psych Central, several characteristics mark DBT including the following:
- Support-oriented – This approach to therapy helps an addict identify his strengths and helps the addict build on those so he can feel better about his himself and his situation. This underlying confidence often fuels an addict’s motivation to stick with addiction recovery.
- Cognitive-based – Like other forms of cognitive therapy, DBT works with an addict’s thoughts, beliefs and assumptions that are toxic and debilitating to the recovery process. DBT also focuses on helping an addict learn new ways of thinking that are more healthy and bearable.
- Collaborative – CBT is much like having a coach who stands by an athlete teaching skills that are vital to success. Together the therapist and addict work together to learn, apply and become confident in skills related to drug abstinence and relapse avoidance. They are both active participants in the therapeutic process.
These characteristics are developed as the client-therapist relationship is established. Through weekly meetings, skills development, homework review and other aspects of therapy, a healthy, helpful relationship is built and serves as a catalyst for change.
Behavior Aspect of Dialectical Behavior Therapy
According to a 2008 article in the journal Addiction Science and Clinical Practice, the one goal of CBT is for a client (addict) to accomplish several tasks within the contexts of therapy.
Tasks undertaken in CBT include the following:
- Envision the life you desire – For the addict the desire is to create a meaningful life without the use of drugs.
- Articulate your goals – Once an addict envisions his life without the crippling consequences of drug addiction, he can begin to name goals that will lead to sobriety. Sometimes far-away goals are too overwhelming for addicts, so smaller goals are articulated such as attending three meetings a week or learning a new way to cope with stress.
- Pursue your goals – Together with a therapist, a recovering addict moves toward those accomplishing goals while at the same time evaluating one’s emotional response to troubling situations. Therapy also helps an addict identify barriers that are sabotaging recovery efforts.
- Sustain your goals – The therapist and recovering addict work on continued sobriety. Relapse is seen as a problem to solve rather than failure.
These steps focus on the behavioral aspect of the therapy. However, they are not the only elements of DBT used to help an addict come clean and stay clean. Other tools are used as well.
Dialectical Aspect of Dialectical Behavior Therapy
What makes DBT unique is the emphasis upon the synthesis of two opposite concepts: acceptance and change. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, through DBT an addict learns to accept uncomfortable thoughts, feelings and behaviors rather than wrestling with or fighting against them. Addicts learn that feelings and thoughts are transient and prone to change in a matter of time. Through this process of learning to tolerate uncomfortable experiences, addicts learn that they can endure those negative experiences without the need for drugs. At the same time an addict learns how to gradually change his behavior to meet his ultimate goal of sobriety. The therapist seeks to help the addict find the balance between acceptance and change, which is encapsulated in the Serenity Prayer often cited by recovering alcoholics and addicts alike: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Mindfulness and CBT
One other element at the heart of DBT is mindfulness. This practice teaches addicts to become aware of their thoughts and their feelings by observing where those are experienced in the body. Through mindfulness practice and other relaxation techniques, an addict develops the ability to accept negative and disturbing thoughts without self-criticism or self-destructive actions like using drugs. The mindfulness practices help an addict become more aware of the negative emotions, thoughts and feelings that act as triggers so that addicts can learn new ways to responding to them. This is often identified by the phrase, “using your wise mind” to make better choices.
Under DBT a therapist brings together the environment and techniques like mindfulness and finding balance between acceptance and change to help a recovery addict envision, define, pursue and maintain the goal of a meaningful, drug-free life.
Getting Help for Your Drug Addition
If you are struggling with an addiction, we can help. You can contact our toll-free helpline any time, 24 hours a day. You can talk with one of our admissions coordinators about the nature and history of your addiction. Together you can determine the type and place of therapy that would be most beneficial for you. We can even help you find a treatment program that utilizes Dialectical Behavior Therapy as one of its tools to help addicts overcome their addictions. Don’t let an addiction control your life any longer. Call our free addiction hotline today, and start on the road of pursuing the life you want.
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