Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Our dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) approach can help individuals who are working to overcome substance use disorders in South Jersey. Learn more about our counseling services and how we can assist you on your journey to recovery.
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Mental health disorders are important to treat for addiction recovery because they can be a root cause of addiction. Treating mental health disorders can help reduce the risk of relapse and improve the chances of a successful recovery. Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can help treat people’s mental health and substance use disorders. Individuals who are particularly looking to attend rehab in South Jersey should receive DBT for addiction in South Jersey here at Lifetime Recovery.
1 in 5 U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year. 1 in 20 U.S. adults experiences serious mental illness each year. 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year. 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24. Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34.
11.7% of Americans 12 and over use illegal drugs. 53 million or 19.4% of people 12 and over have used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs within the last year. 22% of males and 17% of females used illegal drugs or misused prescription drugs within the last year. 5% of people in non-metropolitan, rural counties used illegal drugs compared to 20.2% of people in larger metropolitan counties.
What is DBT?
DBT is a form of therapy that helps people change their behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. DBT is a cognitive-behavioral treatment that was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder.
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a condition characterized by difficulties regulating emotion. This means that people who experience BPD feel emotions intensely and for extended periods of time, and it is harder for them to return to a stable baseline after an emotionally triggering event.
This difficulty can lead to impulsivity, poor self-image, stormy relationships, and intense emotional responses to stressors. Struggling with self-regulation can also result in dangerous behaviors such as self-harm (e.g. cutting).
However, the skills learned in DBT are also useful for treating other types of mental illnesses, including addiction. DBT focuses on helping people learn skills to cope with stressful situations and make positive changes in their lives.
How Effective Is DBT For Addiction?
DBT for addiction has been found to be effective in reducing substance use and other addictive behaviors. A study of teens with substance use disorders found that those who received DBT were more likely to abstain from drugs and alcohol than those who did not receive DBT.
Another study found that DBT was effective in reducing gambling behavior in people with gambling addiction.
How Is The Brain Impacted By Long-term Substance Abuse?
The brain is impacted by long-term substance abuse in a number of ways. First, chronic drug use alters the brain’s reward system, which can lead to cravings and compulsive drug-seeking behavior. Second, chronic drug use also alters the brain’s executive functioning, which can impact decision-making and judgment. Finally, long-term substance abuse can lead to changes in the brain’s structure and function, which can impact cognition and emotions.
What Are The Origins of DBT For Addiction Treatment?
The origins of DBT for addiction treatment are from the work of Marsha Linehan. Dr. Linehan is a professor of psychology at the University of Washington and the creator of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). DBT was originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD), but it has since been adapted to treat a variety of mental health disorders, including addiction.
How Does DBT Help With Addiction?
DBT helps with addiction by teaching skills that can help reduce the risk of relapse and improve the chances of a successful recovery. These skills include mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
There are four main components of DBT:
- Mindfulness: Learning to be present at the moment and accepting things as they are.
- Distress tolerance: Learning how to deal with difficult emotions and situations without making them worse.
- Emotion Regulation: Learning how to manage emotions in a healthy way.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: Learning how to communicate effectively and assertively.
DBT has been shown to be an effective treatment for addiction, particularly for people who have co-occurring mental illnesses. A study published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment found that DBT was more effective than treatment as usual in reducing substance use, depression, and impulsivity in people with substance use disorders.
Another study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology found that DBT was more effective than treatment as usual in reducing cocaine use and improving other measures of functioning in people with cocaine dependence. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, DBT may be a good option to consider. DBT for addiction can help people learn skills to cope with difficult emotions and situations.
How Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy Different From Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
How Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy Different From Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a form of therapy that highlights the connection between thoughts, feelings, and patterns of behavior. As the name suggests, DBT has a behavioral component, but it also heavily emphasizes the role that emotions play in our lives. DBT is founded on the idea that it is possible to accept both positive and negative aspects of reality simultaneously.
While cognitive-behavioral therapy focuses on changing unhealthy thoughts and behaviors, DBT strives to help people find a balance between accepting reality and making changes to improve their lives. DBT for addiction has four main goals:
- To help people manage their emotions more effectively
- To encourage people to be more mindful of the present moment
- To reduce impulsive and self-destructive behaviors
- To help people build more satisfying and meaningful relationships
Core Components of DBT For Addiction
The core component of the DBT for addiction is that it is a comprehensive treatment that helps people to manage their emotions, become more mindful, reduce impulsive and self-destructive behaviors, and build more satisfying and meaningful relationships.
DBT has four primary goals:
- Help clients understand and accept their addiction
- To help clients develop healthy coping mechanisms
- Help clients learn how to live a life without relying on substances
- To help clients build a support network of people who can offer ongoing encouragement and motivation
What are the approaches that DBT takes when treating different conditions?
The approaches used in DBT when treating conditions include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy: Provides clients with tools to identify and change negative thought patterns that may be contributing to their addiction. This includes learning how to recognize and manage triggers, cravings, and other difficult emotions.
- Homework assignments: Assigns homework assignments designed to help clients practice the skills they are learning in therapy. These assignments may include journaling, practicing meditation, or role-playing difficult situations.
- Group therapy: Offers group therapy sessions led by a certified DBT therapist. These sessions provide support and allow clients to practice DBT skills with others who are dealing with similar issues.
- Individual therapy: Individual therapy brings a more intimate approach where the patient and therapist delve into the root causes of addiction.
What Are The Different Conditions That DBT Can Help Treat, Especially When It Comes to Substance Addiction?
The different conditions that DBT can help treat are:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Eating disorders
- Substance abuse disorders
DBT has been found to be particularly helpful in treating substance addiction. This is because DBT teaches skills that can help people manage their emotions and cravings, two of the most difficult aspects of recovery.
Who Would Benefit Most from DBT for Addiction?
Those who would benefit most from DBT for addiction are those who are struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. DBT has been shown to be particularly effective in treating borderline personality disorder, which is often comorbid with substance use disorders. However, even if you don’t have a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, you may still benefit from DBT.
Many people who struggle with addiction also struggle with other mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. DBT can help you manage the symptoms of these disorders, which will in turn make it easier for you to stay sober. If you are struggling with addiction and are interested in DBT, talk to your treatment provider about whether DBT might be right.
Where Can I Receive DBT for Addiction?
New Jersey is the 15th cheapest state for residential drug rehabilitation treatment (non-hospital). New Jersey’s average cost of outpatient drug rehabilitation services is the same as Maryland’s. Heroin is the primary drug clients seek rehabilitation treatment for in New Jersey.
In New Jersey, there are 397 active substance abuse facilities. 38,326 patients in New Jersey are treated annually for drug rehab. 35,454 patients enrolled in New Jersey’s drug rehab outpatient services annually.
Some of the benefits of DBT for addiction include:
- Managing symptoms of mental health disorders: As mentioned above, DBT can help you manage the symptoms of mental health disorders, which will in turn make it easier for you to stay sober.
- Improving communication skills: One of the core components of DBT is learning how to communicate effectively. This can be helpful in all areas of your life, including your recovery from addiction.
- Learning to cope with difficult emotions: DBT can help you learn to deal with difficult emotions in a healthy way, which can be helpful in avoiding relapse.
- Developing a support system: DBT is typically done in groups, which means you will have the opportunity to develop a support system for other DBT participants. This can be beneficial in your recovery from addiction.
Why is Psychotherapy Necessary for Addiction Treatment?
Psychotherapy is an important part of addiction treatment because it can help you:
- Understand the root cause of your addiction
- Learn healthy coping mechanisms
- Address any underlying mental health issues
- Build a support system
46.2% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2020. 64.5% of U.S. adults with serious mental illness received treatment in 2020.11% of U.S. adults with mental illness had no insurance coverage in 2020. 11.3% of U.S. adults with serious mental illness had no insurance coverage in 2020.
Is DBT For Addiction Covered By Insurance?
DBT for addiction is often covered by insurance, but it is important to check with your provider to be sure. If you are seeking DBT for addiction treatment, Lifetime Recovery can help. We offer DBT as part of our comprehensive addiction treatment program. Contact us today to learn more.
Discover Recovery Options at Lifetime Recovery – DBT of South Jersey
DBT for addiction has been shown to be an effective treatment for a variety of health disorders. DBT teaches skills that can help you manage intense emotions, cope with difficult situations, and make positive changes in your life. If you are seeking DBT for addiction treatment, Lifetime Recovery can help. We offer DBT as part of our comprehensive addiction treatment program.
