Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is one component of cognitive-behavior therapy with a focus on social and communication aspects. DBT was developed to help people cope with extreme emotional situations that could cause harm or suicidal ideations. It was originally created to help aid those who needed treatment for borderline personality disorder. In recent years, evidence shows that DBT can help with different types of mental illnesses, especially for those who expressed concerns about self-harm or substance abuse.
DBT focuses on four categories of emotional and psychological roles that include:
Through therapy and education, patients can shed toxic thought patterns by practicing these four techniques. DBT can help in lifelong recovery by promoting conscious awareness of emotions. Without a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy like DBT, individuals have a stark chance of self-medicating. Self-medicating is an attempt to relieve some of the symptoms brought on by a mental illness; however, if a professional does not properly guide or prescribe a plan of action through proper treatment, self-medicating can become a dangerous substance abuse problem.
Oftentimes, patients who attend a drug rehab center will receive a dual diagnosis. A patient with a dual diagnosis has both a mental disorder and a drug or alcohol problem that occur simultaneously. Unfortunately, when mental illnesses are overlooked, a substance abuse problem can surface. Without addressing the co-occurring disorders, the chance of relapse is high. Learning and incorporating healthy coping mechanisms can have insurmountable benefits for someone who has been struggling with regulating emotions or tolerating stress. At Greater Boston Addiction Centers or GBAC, we provide personalized care to address any and all symptoms of substance abuse or mental illness to ensure lifelong recovery.
DBT has been proven effective in addiction, mental health, and behavioral treatment. Some of the most significant benefits include the following:
DBT is one of several therapies that can be beneficial to treatment and the recovery process. Discuss whether it is right for you with your addiction treatment specialist and therapist as you build your treatment plan together.
GBAC provides many programs for personalized treatment. We offer a list of wide-ranging services and therapies that can help a person achieve a healthy mental and physical life. Listed below are the programs we offer:
