How to Use Both CBT and DBT for Recovery
Keyword: CBT and DBT
Secondary Keyword: cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, addiction treatment therapy
How to Use Both CBT and DBT for Recovery
Drug and substance abuse addiction is a powerful physical and mental condition that alters an individual’s life. Once you are addicted to any drug or substance, your life will never be the same. Psychotherapy approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy are crucial tools that help individuals battling any form of addiction to embark on the journey to recovery. If you, a family member or a loved is planning to join addiction treatment therapy programs, it is essential to get an insight into CBT and DBT.
What is Cognitive-behavioral Therapy?
CBT is a form of addiction treatment therapy that helps an individual to focus on problem-solving strategies by turning irrational or toxic thoughts into positive ideas that enable them to navigate a difficult situation. Therapists recommend CBT as the most effective method of developing healthy coping skills to overcome addiction. The National Institute of Corrections observes that CBT increases individual’s self-consciousness towards their thoughts and actions triggering active measures for desirable change.
Through cognitive-behavioral therapy, individuals identify harmful behaviors and shift their focus on using their negative and dysfunctional feelings to achieve the happiness that they desire. Individuals learn crucial coping skills to avoid defense mechanisms and confront the realities of life and behaviors in a healthy manner. The therapist works closely with the client to face rational thoughts like, addiction is a destructive habit, and there is no need to defend it.
What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
The difference between CBT and DTB is that while CBT assists individuals to change their mindset by identification of toxic thoughts and to deal with them, DBT focuses on helping them to take charge of their emotions and learn how to react rationally in different situations. The therapist begins by guiding the client to accept the presence of their feelings and that it is not a crime that they feel that way.
Acceptance becomes the first step towards recovery in DBT because after validating their behaviors, individuals will be more willing to work to change them. For example, DTB makes individuals accept their addiction habits and learn that many other people are going through similar situations but those that seek help recover.
What are the Benefits of CBT and DBT?
Despite taking slightly distinct approaches in addiction treatment, the two therapies have numerous benefits including;
- Enable individuals to strengthen interpersonal relationships
- Prevents addiction relapse
- Enable individuals to manage their anger, irrational thoughts, aggressiveness, anxiety, and depression
- Increases individual consciousness toward their thoughts empowering them to confront the reality
- Solves sleeping problems
How do You Choose the Best Method?
The significant distinction between CBT and DBT is that while CBT focuses on a wide array of individual aspects, including habits, thoughts, and behavior patterns, DBT narrows its focus to thoughts and emotions. Once you contact a rehab facility, your therapist will access you and select the method that will best match your actions and personality.
If you experience factors that trigger addiction such as stress, boredom or old friends, CBT might work best for you. DBT works for individuals battling dual diagnosis. However, the therapist can combine both methods or use them one after the other, depending on how you respond to treatment. Besides addiction treatment therapy, rehab facilities also offer programs such as;
- Men’s Rehab Center
- Women’s Rehab Center
- Partial Hospitalization Program
- Intensive Outpatient Program
- Outpatient Treatment Program
- Community Housing
Contact an Addiction Treatment Center
The National Institute of Health estimated that 20% of American citizens were experiencing mental conditions in 2017. CBT and DBT are practical psychotherapy approaches to overcoming mental conditions. Contact a therapist today to get the help that you need to live a healthy life.