Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Addiction in Georgia
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is an established treatment for people with a variety and severe psychosocial disorders. Because many of these people also have substance use disorders (SUDs), DBT for Substance Abusers was developed. It combines concepts and approaches meant to promote abstinence and to decrease the length and harmful impact of relapses.
Clinical trials have revealed that DBT for Substance Abusers may also be helpful for individuals who have other serious disorders co-occurring with SUDs or who haven’t been successful with other evidence-based SUD (addiction) therapies. Dialectical Behavior Therapy is available in Georgia at Georgia Sky Outpatient Detox. When successful, DBT helps individuals learn to visualize and achieve goals, regardless of their past behaviors. Dialectical behavior therapy emphasizes building a life worth living, not just reducing problematic behavior or symptom management.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
DBT is a type of talk therapy, based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), but specially adapted for individuals who experience their emotions intensely. “Dialectical” means combining opposites. DBT helps people accept the reality of their lives and addiction while assisting them to learn to change their lives, including their unhealthy behavior.
DBT is especially effective in treating people with SUD and other mental issues, such as:
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Eating disorders
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The reason DBT is effective for treating these conditions is that each one is believed to be associated with issues that arise from unhealthy or questionable efforts to control intense, negative emotions. Instead of depending on actions that cause problems for the individual, DBT helps them learn better ways to cope.
How DBT Works for Addiction Treatment?
DBT focuses on the underlying behavioral and emotional patterns that contribute to addiction. People can reduce their dependence on substances as a coping mechanism when they learn to:
- regulate their emotions,
- tolerate distress, and
- improve relationships.
The Core Principles of DBT in Addiction Recovery
DBT is built on four main concepts:
- Mindfulness
Mindfulness is learning to be present in the moment while observing (being mindful of) your thoughts and feelings without judging.
- Distress Tolerance
Learning distress tolerance is building a skill set to cope with difficult situations without falling back on addictive behaviors.
- Emotional Regulation
Being able to recognize and manage intense emotions effectively and in a healthy way is the goal of emotional regulation.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness
Practicing techniques to improve communication and relationship skills. Individuals learn to build and maintain healthy relationships, including boundary setting.
DBT Techniques Used in Addiction Treatment
Techniques used in SUD treatment include:
Individual Therapy
During individual therapy, the individual has one-on-one sessions with a therapist to discuss their personal challenges and goals. The client builds a trusting relationship with their counselor where they feel safe and all discussions are strictly confidential. The nature of the relationship makes it easier for the client to be forthcoming about underlying issues. The client’s individual therapist is the leading treatment provider in DBT. They are responsible for developing and maintaining the client’s treatment plan.
Skills Training Group
Group sessions are focused on learning and practicing the DBT skills mentioned in the Core Principles. Typically, this is a weekly group, run like a class, where participants learn and practice the skills together, discuss homework assignments, and relate real-life applications. This is not a typical support group in that the focus is on understanding and applying the skills learned.
Phone Coaching
Occasionally, individuals will need support from their therapist between in-person sessions. Phone coaching helps people apply their newly learned skills in real-life situations. During phone coaching, therapists guide clients in recognizing and using relevant skills to manage their emotions, solve problems, and handle interpersonal conflicts. Phone coaching is especially helpful in crisis situations.
Therapist Consultation Team
A consultation team is a team of DBT therapists who meet regularly to support each other, maintain motivation, and ensure adherence to the DBT model. It’s often called “therapy for the therapist” because the team’s role is to help the therapist think clearly about the client, the relationship, the change in DBT terms, and how to apply the treatment effectively.
Benefits of Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Addiction
Some of the key benefits of DBT for addiction treatment are:
Improved Regulation of Emotions
DBT helps people learn to identify and manage their emotions more constructively and healthily. This is vital in addiction recovery treatment since intense emotions frequently trigger cravings and possible relapse.
Reinforced Distress Tolerance
In DBT, individuals learn skills to cope with difficult situations and emotions without relying on substance use. Individuals are better able to handle challenging times without resorting to harmful behaviors.
Improved Interpersonal Skills
Because addiction often puts a strain on relationships, DBT teaches effective relationship and communication skills. This helps the individual build and maintain healthy relationships.
Decreased Impulsivity
DBT helps people become more mindful of their impulsive behaviors and teaches strategies for making more thoughtful decisions. This is a crucial skill in preventing relapse.
Heightened Mindfulness
DBT emphasizes mindfulness, being present in the moment, and being aware of thoughts and feelings without judgment. This practice helps people achieve better self-awareness and better ability to manage cravings.
Who Can Benefit from DBT for Substance Use Disorders?
DBT, particularly the version modified for SUDs, benefits anyone struggling with addiction. It is especially beneficial for individuals with complex mental health and addiction problems who haven’t responded to other treatments. By teaching skills to manage emotions and improve relationships, DBT can help people struggling with:
- suicidal thoughts,
- emotional regulation,
- self-harm, and
- interpersonal problems.
The Role of Mindfulness in DBT for Addiction
Mindfulness is one of the core skills in DBT for addiction treatment. It helps people become more aware of their feelings, thoughts, and urges and respond to them nonjudgmentally instead of reacting impulsively. Mindfulness is a key component of change that emphasizes awareness and acceptance.
Awareness of thoughts and feelings is essential for understanding triggers and cravings. Individuals can then pause and consider their choices before acting on impulses. Mindfulness helps people learn to tolerate their unpleasant feelings and cravings without resorting to substances, improving their ability to cope with difficult emotions.
Mindfulness practices, such as mindful eating or breathing, promote self-awareness. They increase a person’s ability to recognize their thinking and behavior patterns, which helps them accept reality and tolerate discomfort. In addition, mindfulness also improves interpersonal skills by assisting individuals in becoming more aware of their relationships and communication styles, which promotes healthier interactions.
How DBT Addresses Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders?
DBT addresses co-occurring mental health disorders by preparing people with skills in distress tolerance, mindfulness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. These skills are all crucial for managing both mental health issues and addiction. DBT recognizes that SUDs and other mental health issues often co-occur.
DBT supports an inclusive approach that addresses both problems simultaneously. Treating both conditions at the same time is vital to treating both successfully. The skills and strategies necessary to prevent relapse are learned in dialectical behavior therapy. This is essential for people with co-occuring mental disorders who are at a higher risk of relapse.
DBT vs. Other Therapy Approaches for Addiction
Addiction is a complicated condition that requires a versatile approach to treatment. There are several therapies commonly used to treat addiction, each with its own novel methods and focuses. While DBT focuses on mindfulness and emotional regulation, other approaches focus on other techniques. They include:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
The focus of CBT is to help people recognize and change their negative thought patterns and behaviors that have contributed to their addiction. The goal of CBT is to develop coping skills and techniques to manage triggers and cravings. The key techniques are cognitive adjustment, increasing engagement in meaningful activities, and coping skills. DBT is a form of CBT, but with more emphasis on emotions.
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
MI helps people examine and resolve their resistance to change by drawing out their own reasons for change, instead of imposing them. The focus is to enhance motivation and commitment to recovery through empathy and reflective listening. It may not be productive for people who are already highly motivated.
12-Step Programs
Twelve-step programs, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), provide a structured system focused on peer support, spiritual standards, and following a series of steps. This is done through group meetings, sponsorship, and working through the steps.
What to Expect During DBT Sessions for Addiction?
Sessions of dialectical behavior therapy for addiction will focus on teaching skills meant to help manage difficult emotions, improve your relationships, and decrease your impulsive behaviors.
- Individual Therapy–Typically, you will have individual sessions to review your progress and challenges from the past week. You’ll discuss specific situations, and set goals for the coming week.
- Group Therapy–The supportive environment of group sessions helps you practice DBT skills with others. There may be role-playing exercises, sharing experiences, and receiving feedback and encouragement from other members.
- Learning Skills–You will discuss and practice the four key skills of DBT.
DBT requires active participation. You must complete homework assignments and practice skills every day. It’s necessary to be honest with your therapist and other group members and be willing to try different ways to cope with emotions.
How to Choose the Right DBT Program for Addiction?
When choosing a DBT program for addiction, you should consider these factors:
- Experience and credentials of the therapists. Make sure they are licensed and experienced in DBT for addiction.
- Structure and intensity of the program. Be sure the program offers a high level of support including individual and group therapy and phone coaching.
- Integration of treatement. The program should be specific for addiction issues.
- Insurance coverage and cost. Check the cost and whether your insurance covers it.
- Think about the location and accessability of the program, particularly since regular attendance is necessary.
Finding DBT for Addiction Treatment in Georgia
You can find dialectical behavioral therapy for addiction in Georgia at Georgia Sky Detox. We have facilities in Atlanta, Lawrenceville, Alpharetta, and Acworth, GA. We can provide:
- Medical Detox–because detoxing can be a difficult and sometimes life-threatening process, medical supervision is necessary to prepare for treatment programs and reduce the likelihood of relapse
- Withdrawal Management–help with managing the physical and psychological symptoms of quitting substance use in a controlled, supportive environment
- Recovery Planning–case management services ensure that individuals have the knowledge and are aware of the resources they will need for continuing recovery
Inpatient vs. Outpatient DBT Programs in Georgia
Our outpatient program locations make it convenient for you to receive treatment close to home. If you have safe, stable housing and a supportive home network, outpatient treatment is a good fit for you. Individuals without a safe, drug-free home situation, are more suited to inpatient, or residential treatment.
By choosing outpatient care at Georgia Sky, you can receive experienced medical treatment and therapists trained in specialized behavioral therapies for treating SUD. You are then free to go home and carry on with your responsibilities and obligations. In addition, you can practice new skills in real life situations, further enhancing your understanding and ability to integrate therapy into action.
Does Insurance Cover DBT for Addiction in Georgia?
Many insurance programs, including Medicaid and Medicare cover DBT as part of their mental health coverage. All major health insurance companies are required by law to offer some level of coverage for mental health treatment. The Affordable Care Act designated mental health coverage as an essential health benefit and insurance plans must offer mental health coverage at least equal to medical benefits. Admissions specialists at Georgia Sky will be happy to check your insurance coverage and answer any questions.
Starting Your Recovery Journey with DBT in Georgia
You don’t have to wait to get the treatment you need. If you or a loved one need help, Georgia Sky Detox is prepared to offer the treatment you need to overcome your substance use disorder and get you back to a life worth living. Our medical professionals and dialectical behavior therapy specialists are ready to help you find your way out of the darkness of addiction and into the light. Contact us today.