Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a technique that has shown great promise in the treatment of certain substance abuse disorders. Initially developed to help patients with compulsive patterns of self-harm, DBT has found new applications in drug and alcohol addiction recovery programs. At Complete Harmony, we employ DBT to help afflicted individuals relieve the underlying emotional imbalances and self-image issues that frequently accompany substance abuse.Clinicians began to unlock the efficacy of DBT as a substance abuse treatment when they started to view drug and alcohol addiction as a psychological compulsion similar to those who engage in behaviors like self-mutilation. In both cases, patients turn to the problematic behavior as a means of dealing with feelings of shame, fear of abandonment, low self-esteem, and poor self-image. These feelings are often rooted in deep-seated emotional or psychological trauma, though genetic predisposition and other innate factors are also believed to play a role.
Complete Harmony’s DBT addiction treatment model proceeds through four discrete stages spread across 12 steps to help patients overcome drug and alcohol abuse while developing tools that promote long-term recovery.
DBT Addiction Treatment Programs at Complete Harmony
Our dialectical behavior therapy treatment protocol has been shown to be highly effective for patients with psychological profiles that include the following characteristics:
• Dramatic or violent mood swings
• Major depressive disorder & severe depression
• Self-harm or self-mutilation tendencies
The program uses clear, powerful strategies to help participants develop skills that enable them to overcome substance abuse while achieving better control of interpersonal relationships, mindfulness, emotional reactions, and ability to manage stress and distress. DBT begins with the simple recognition that positive change is needed to help the patient address both the acute and underlying issues that contribute to their problematic behaviors.
First, our counselors perform thorough evaluations that cover the patient's substance abuse history, health history, and psychological profile. From there, specific and individually tailored therapy objectives are identified, and patients begin treatment that ultimately leads to much higher levels of personal happiness and spiritual satisfaction.
If you would like to learn more about our 12-step alternatives, we invite you to contact a member of our medical or therapy team. Submit a confidential online inquiry, or call us toll-free at 866-930-4673—24 hours a day.
