Can Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT) be Used for Addiction?
Dialectic Behavioural Therapy (DBT) is a powerful treatment option that originally helped people with borderline personality disorder, but it’s now widely used to support those struggling with addiction. At its core, DBT combines mindfulness, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness to guide individuals toward healthier coping mechanisms.
For many, addiction isn’t just a physical dependency but a way of managing intense emotions and difficult mental health conditions. With around 38% of people in addiction treatment also facing co-occurring mental health issues, therapies like DBT are vital in addressing the whole person. Through DBT, individuals can regain control and make positive changes in their lives.
Why is DBT Effective for Addiction Recovery?
Addiction often begins as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions, difficult situations, or many mental health conditions. People may use substances as a form of self-medication to numb painful feelings, but this only creates a cycle of dependency. Dialectical Behavior Therapy addresses the root causes of addiction and the behaviours that sustain it.
The 2004 study, “Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Substance Abusers,” published in PubMed, found that DBT reduced substance abuse rates by 50% in individuals with borderline personality disorder. This is a common co-occurring condition in those struggling with addiction. This highlights DBT’s power in treating addiction and the underlying emotional struggles that fuel it.
How DBT Works
- Emotional Regulation: DBT helps individuals manage intense emotions, a key factor in addiction.
- Distress Tolerance: It teaches how to cope with stressful situations without turning to substances.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness: DBT improves relationships, which are often strained by addiction.
- Comprehensive Approach: It addresses both mental health and substance use in tandem
DBT doesn’t just treat addiction—it helps individuals reclaim control over their lives and develop healthier ways to cope with challenges.
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The Role of DBT in Preventing Relapse
DBT focuses on radical acceptance techniques and building healthier coping strategies. Here’s how DBT therapy can make a real difference:
Dialectical Abstinence
DBT supports complete abstinence but combines this goal with a nonjudgmental approach to setbacks. Rather than seeing relapse as a failure, DBT encourages individuals to learn from the experience. By embracing setbacks as opportunities for growth, people can continue working towards long-term recovery without feeling defeated.
Clear Mind Concept
In DBT, maintaining a “clear mind” is essential. A DBT-trained therapist will teach patients to stay focused on their recovery goals while recognising triggers for relapse. This mindfulness helps individuals stay grounded, even when faced with stressors or temptations, to make better choices despite negative thoughts and difficult moments.
Proactive Coping Strategies
DBT helps individuals replace harmful behaviours with healthy routines. Through DBT skills training, patients develop proactive coping strategies, such as practising mindfulness and distress tolerance. These DBT skills not only help manage daily life challenges but also make it easier to handle situations that could otherwise lead to relapse.
How is DBT Delivered in Rehab Settings?
DBT involves different sessions designed to support individuals in their recovery journey.
In these one-on-one sessions, individuals work closely with a licensed mental health professional to address personal challenges and triggers. The DBT therapist helps patients develop tailored coping strategies to manage emotions and overcome problematic behaviours, using tools like the diary card to track progress.
Group therapy
This offers a supportive environment where patients can practice new interpersonal skills. These sessions help individuals work on setting boundaries, building trust, and communicating more effectively. Sharing experiences with others facing similar struggles makes patients feel less isolated and more empowered to continue their recovery.
Homework Assignments
In addition to therapy, patients are given assignments to reinforce the skills learned during group or individual sessions. Tasks like journaling, mindfulness exercises, or practising new coping strategies between sessions help individuals stay connected to their progress. This practice ensures that the lessons from therapy aren’t just theory but are actively applied in real-life situations. Patients can continue to build on their new skills long after rehab.
These three elements—individual therapy, group sessions, and homework—combine to provide a comprehensive DBT approach. The main goal is to support patients in overcoming substance abuse, self-injury, or even eating disorders while developing healthy coping mechanisms.
Combining DBT with Other Therapies
DBT works best when integrated with other treatments, which creates a more holistic approach to recovery. It pairs well with 12-step programmes, talk therapy, family therapy, and trauma-focused therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This combination helps address the emotional, psychological, and behavioural aspects of addiction so patients can manage stress and difficult emotions without turning to self-harm.
For example, 12-step programmes provide community support, while DBT helps individuals learn essential coping skills. Integrating these therapies creates a tailored recovery plan that meets individual needs while offering a well-rounded approach. By starting DBT with other treatments, patients receive a comprehensive, personalised path to healing.
How to Access DBT in the UK
- Rehab Centres Offering DBT: Many private rehab facilities provide DBT as part of their therapeutic offerings. These centres often offer tailored treatment programmes for addiction and mental health issues.
- Services: You can access DBT through NHS-funded services. Contact your GP or community mental health team (CMHT) for guidance. Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) offers DBT in some areas, though waiting times can be long.
- Online Options: Virtual therapy platforms now offer DBT sessions for those unable to attend in-person rehab. This makes therapy more accessible for people with busy schedules or mobility issues.
Building a Life Worth Living
Recovery isn’t just about abstinence—it’s about building a life you truly want to live, free from addiction’s hold. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) can be a vital part of this journey, offering practical tools for emotional regulation and healthier coping strategies.
It’s more than just a therapy; it’s a pathway to creating a fulfilling life. Explore rehab programmes that incorporate DBT as part of a holistic approach to healing. Seeking help is a courageous step and the first towards lasting change.
If you or a loved one are ready to start this journey, don’t hesitate to reach out to Help 4 Addiction for support. Our DBT consultation team is here to provide guidance. If you’re having trouble finding the right help or are unsure where to begin, we’re ready to assist—no matter your age or situation. Let us be your crisis lifeline as you take the first step towards lasting change.
About Author
Nicholas Conn
Nicholas Conn is a leading industry addiction expert who runs the UK’s largest addiction advisory service and is regularly featured in the national press, radio and TV. He is the founder and CEO of a drug and alcohol rehab center called Help4addiction, which was founded in 2015. He has been clean himself since 2009 and has worked in the Addiction and Rehab Industry for over a decade. Nick is dedicated to helping others recover and get treatment for drug and alcohol abuse. In 2013, he released a book ‘The Thin White’ line that is available on Amazon.
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