It’s only natural for people to want to avoid problems when it’s convenient. After all, life is already stressful enough, and ignoring issues that are viewed as non-essential is a powerful coping strategy when a person is overwhelmed. However, the easiest and quickest way to escape a problem is to face it and solve it.
When that problem is addiction, this can be a tall order. There is no surefire cure for addiction, and this condition can be insidious, taking over all aspects of a person’s life. Acceptance and commitment therapy is one treatment method that allows people to embrace their thoughts and feelings instead of feeling guilty about them, allowing them to break free from conditions such as substance use.
If you or someone you care about is looking for addiction therapy programs to help teach coping techniques for long-term addiction, then you’re in luck. At Evoke Waltham, we offer comprehensive treatments, including acceptance and commitment therapy, to achieve a sustainable life in recovery. Call us at 866.276.1920 to learn more about our cutting-edge and evidence-based treatments, such as our acceptance and commitment therapy program.
What Is an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Program?
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that helps individuals recognize, accept, and commit to their innermost values to live a more meaningful and fulfilling life. It combines mindfulness skills with behavior-change strategies to help people fully embrace and engage with the present moment. There are six core processes involved in ACT, defined:
- Acceptance – Letting one’s inner thoughts and emotions happen without getting stuck in analyzing them or trying to change them
- Cognitive defusion – Separating oneself from the unhelpful aspects of one’s inner thoughts and experiences
- Being present – Being aware of the present moment without judgment
- Self as context – The act of recognizing that one’s thoughts and actions are separate from one’s identity
- Values – Knowledge of the qualities one will choose to work towards throughout day-to-day life
- Commitment – The commitment to create larger patterns of action in line with one’s values
The goal of ACT is to help individuals live with greater clarity and purpose while developing the resilience to face difficult emotions or thoughts without becoming overwhelmed or overwhelmed by them. ACT can be seen as a way of learning to become more mindful of one’s internal experiences while also practicing behaviors that support personal growth and positive change.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Addiction
ACT emphasizes the importance of being aware of one’s thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them. This mindfulness helps patients better understand themselves so they can respond more effectively when faced with the challenging situations they will encounter during recovery from addiction. Rather than simply reacting out of habit or emotion, patients can choose the best course of action that upholds their personal goals and ideals. Mindfulness also allows people to recognize patterns that may negatively affect their lives.
During ACT therapy for addiction, individuals develop an attitude of compassion towards themselves which helps them better cope with difficult emotions such as depression or anxiety rather than avoiding them altogether. This self-compassion involves recognizing their limitations while treating themselves with kindness and understanding rather than criticism or judgment. Through this process, patients can learn how to accept themselves for who they are while also taking steps toward personal growth. Aside from being an addiction treatment, ACT therapy is also beneficial when treating:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
If you're ready to start your journey to recovery, we're here to help.
Turn to Evoke Waltham for ACT Therapy for Addiction
At Evoke Waltham, we believe that no one is beyond help regarding addiction. That’s why we emphasize a strong culture of support from our medical team and addiction specialists to each patient. Our luxury rehab center in Waltham, MA, features state-of-the-art facilities in a beautiful neighborhood so our patients can focus on working on themselves during their recovery.
Contact us at 866.276.1920 to speak to the seasoned experts at Evoke Waltham about our acceptance and commitment therapy program. We’d be happy to explain how our programs work and help you understand which specific therapies may work best for you.
