Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a form of talk therapy that utilizes the power of both self-acceptance and behavioral changes to treat various mental health disorders, such as borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, impulse control issues, and substance use disorders.
This therapeutic approach helps individuals learn how to practice mindfulness while making positive lifestyle modifications to achieve improved well-being. A dialectical behavior therapy program can help people experiencing substance use disorders who want to quit but haven’t found lasting success with other forms of treatment.
At Nashville Treatment Solutions, we know how painful it is to feel powerless over addiction. We can help you feel empowered in the recovery process with dialectical behavior therapy. To learn more about the benefits of DBT or to get started in a therapy program, contact us at 866.714.5630.
Five Benefits of DBT
There are many forms of therapy and several iterations of behavioral talk therapy, each with its benefits and use cases. Due to its novel use of two opposing forces (self-acceptance and actionable change), dialectical behavior therapy is especially effective in treating drug and alcohol addiction. Here are five unique benefits of DBT:
1. Emotional Regulation
Dialectical behavior therapy can help people identify the overwhelming emotions at the heart of substance use disorders and cultivate the skills to regulate those emotions to act more constructively. Becoming aware of and learning to handle the structures of thought and emotion can ensure that you control your behavior rather than allowing your emotions to take control.
2. Mindfulness and Acceptance
The DBT process works to cultivate self-acceptance through mindfulness, which allows for behavioral change to be lasting and effective. Learning to observe yourself without judgment is the first step to affecting authentic and healthful changes. A consistent practice of mindfulness and self-acceptance significantly improves overall well-being and quality of life. They are the foundation for lasting positive change in any area.
3. Build Resilience and Distress Tolerance
Resilience is the ability to withstand and recover from adversity healthfully. DBT builds the skills necessary to tolerate distress and bounce back from it without depending on coping mechanisms such as drugs or alcohol. Increased resilience helps overcome the temptation to use or act regrettably. It also increases overall self-esteem and makes stressful situations easier to withstand.
4. Improve Relationships with Self and Others
Along with building resilience and gaining insight into the key elements of emotional regulation, DBT promotes and improves healthy relationships with self and others. Healthy relationships are built on trust, acceptance, love, the ability to articulate needs and boundaries, and an ethic of care. Learning to cultivate these qualities in and for oneself is crucial to overcoming the cycle of self-sabotaging behavior that goes hand-in-hand with addiction. Developing self-acceptance and emotional regulation are essential life skills that will improve any relationship, starting with the most important relationship with the self.
5. Learn Skills for Maintaining a Positive Attitude and Behaviors
Learning to resolve all-or-nothing thinking, cultivating self-acceptance, and regulating emotions are all skills that can be challenging to maintain day in and day out. DBT provides a series of small, actionable steps toward behavioral change that build over time to help maintain a positive attitude and healthful behavioral patterns. These skills go beyond addiction recovery to improve a person’s overall quality of life.
How to Tell if Behavioral Therapy for Addiction is Right for You
Anyone who’s struggled to find lasting results from other forms of talk or behavioral therapy, and anyone who has struggled with self-harm or thoughts of suicide, can especially benefit from DBT. Dialectical behavior therapy can help people suffering from substance use disorder develop a more positive outlook and increased capacity for adaptability. If you are ready to take steps toward recovery and lasting change, get in touch with a trained therapist specializing in dialectical behavior therapy and discuss if it’s right for you. With the right help, self-acceptance, resilience, and emotional regulation can be developed to help you or your loved one find a healthier path for the future.
Experience the Power of DBT with Nashville Treatment Solutions
At Nashville Treatment Solutions, we can attest to the power of dialectical behavior therapy regarding addiction recovery. Our experienced and certified treatment providers provide personalized care for mental health, addiction recovery, and psychological trauma. We believe everyone deserves a chance to thrive without substance use disorder. Our team is passionate about helping individuals on the road to sustained recovery through evidence-based treatments such as dialectical behavior therapy.
Contact us at 866.714.5630 to learn more about the benefits of DBT and other therapy program options offered at Nashville Treatment Solutions.
