DBT | Addiction Treatment Therapies

What is dialectical behavioural therapy?

Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) is a talking therapy that helps people manage strong emotions without letting them spiral into destructive behaviours. It was first developed in the late 1980s by psychologist Marsha Linehan, originally to help people with borderline personality disorder who had made several suicide attempts and struggled daily with self-harming behaviours. Her aim was to help them make peace with what they couldn’t control while building a life that was worth staying alive for

The word “dialectical” means bringing two opposite things together, like accepting yourself as you are, while still working to change. DBT alerts you to those first flickers of overwhelming feelings, teaches you to take a quiet, mindful moment and then make a decision that doesn’t cause you more harm. If you’ve ever acted on impulse and wished you could rewind the moment, DBT gives you the tools to break that cycle.

Why is DBT treatment effective for addiction?

Addiction is often fuelled by emotions that feel too hard to manage on your own, like chronic stress, loneliness, guilt or fear. A bad day, a big argument or just feeling low can quickly lead to drinking, using drugs or doing something you promised yourself you wouldn’t.

DBT addiction treatment is about helping you catch those moments before they lead to something you regret. It gives you space between the feeling and the addictive action so you have time to choose differently. That may mean breathing through a drug craving, leaving a party when the urge to drink gets too much or just recognising that you’re overwhelmed and need a minute.

Who is DBT for?

DBT is for anyone who feels ruled by their emotions. It is especially helpful if you’ve found that other therapies haven’t gone deep enough or didn’t change your harmful reactions. That may mean acting without thinking, lashing out when you’re hurt or using alcohol, drugs or other habits to deal with pain you can’t explain.

DBT was first created to help people with very intense feelings but it is now used in addiction treatment because it teaches the exact skills so many people need. Whether your addiction is tied to trauma, stress or emotional highs and lows, DBT can give you a new way to respond.

What are the benefits of DBT addiction treatment?

The benefits of DBT are really felt when you leave rehab and begin your new life. It is designed for everyday situations where you need a way to get through it all without blowing up, shutting down or relying on drugs or alcohol:

Here are some of the ways DBT can support your recovery:

• You will be able to calm yourself in the middle of even the biggest crisis.
• You will get better at noticing when something’s off, instead of realising too late after a slip-up.
• You will learn how to manage awkward or painful conversations, which can help with all your relationships.
• You will stop avoiding difficult situations because you will now know how to face them.
• You can build a life where you can finally trust yourself to make the right choices.