Substance use disorders can cause psychological and physical damage and can also affect social and family relationships. Receiving multiple forms of care can be essential for breaking addiction habits and getting on the path to recovery. As a chronic disease, addiction can be difficult to treat. However, professional help in the form of medical detox, addiction treatment programs, and rehab aftercare can support someone’s recovery journey completely. Dialectical behavior therapy for addiction and other addiction therapies can provide a structure to follow for relapse prevention.
Wondering what could be part of the addiction treatment program you or someone you love needs to attend to recover from a substance use disorder? Call Midwest Detox Center at 833.647.0392 or contact us online for more information on our programs and services.
How Does Behavioral Therapy for Addiction Help Patients?
Behavioral therapy can help engage patients in addiction treatment programs. Behavioral approaches can also provide patients with incentives for them to keep on abstaining and maintain their sobriety. Patients will also be encouraged to modify their behaviors, habits, and attitudes related to their substance abuse problems. Behavioral therapy will help patients increase the skills needed to handle stressors and triggers that would otherwise prompt relapse.
What Are Some Common Addiction Therapies?
Therapy is one of the most common forms of care and treatment following successful detoxification. Therapy sessions can be one-to-one or group – they can even be family-based, depending on the needs of a patient. Different types of therapy, apart from DBT, include:
- CBT: This can help you recognize unhealthy behavioral patterns and also help you learn to identify triggers and develop coping skills. It’s a valuable treatment tool that can be used for many different types of addiction, including alcohol addiction, food addiction, and drug addiction.
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT): This could help you recognize which of your thought are negative and provide you with ways to combat feelings of self-defeat. REBT can help you realize that the power of rational thinking lies within yourself. It’s not related to external stressors or situations.
- Contingency management (CM): This type of therapy reinforces your positive behavior by giving you tangible rewards. CM has been used effectively to combat relapse, and it can be used to treat a wide variety of addictions, including alcohol, tobacco, and narcotics.
- Family behavior therapy (FBT): This addresses not only substance abuse but other co-occurring problems, as well – such as child mistreatment, conduct disorders, depression, and family conflict. FBT works by combining CM with behavioral contracting. Therapists engage families and help them to apply behavioral strategies and new skills to improve the home environment.
- 12-step facilitation: This service is often available in alcohol and drug addiction treatment. It is a form of group therapy that works to recognize that addiction has negative social, emotional, spiritual, and physical consequences. It begins with acceptance and then moves on to surrender to a higher power before transitioning to involvement in consistent group meetings.
These treatments may be a necessary part of a patient’s treatment.
What Is DBT for Addiction?
DBT is a psychotherapy method that was developed by psychologist Marsha M. Linehan in the late 1980s. Treatment providers initially used it to help patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and suicidal thoughts. However, it can also treat other mental illnesses and help people struggling with addiction and substance abuse.
A core goal of DBT is to help patients build coping abilities and confidence to effectively handle stressful situations, which is why treatment providers are increasingly using DBT in their addiction treatment programs. The core tenets of DBT are strengthening communication skills, self-image, and coping skills. These can be critical in the recovery path of patients struggling with addiction. Some typical DBT components include:
- Skills training: Therapists teach patients communication and coping skills. Through this treatment, patients learn how to use emotional regulation, distress tolerance, or mindfulness. They can then apply to their social interactions and daily routines.
- Individual therapy: One-to-one therapy sessions help recovering addicts learn how to apply techniques they’ve picked up during skills training classes in real-life events and situations.
- Phone coaching: Some programs offer recovering addicts a way to connect with their therapists when difficult situations occur outside of therapy sessions or classes. Therapists will coach recovering addicts and help them use distress tolerance and emotional regulation techniques to cope with stress and manage their feelings.
- Team consultation: This component is not for patients. It’s for therapists and other healthcare providers involved in addiction treatment. Team consultation helps therapists to provide the best care possible for patients, especially if they’re difficult to treat.
In DBT for addiction, patients may need to complete homework. This work may include journaling behaviors, urges, and emotions they experience throughout the day.
Learn About Midwest Detox Center’s Programs and Services
Are you ready to overcome your addiction? If so, contact Midwest Detox Center at 833.647.0392 or contact our team online to learn more about our programs and services.
