Psychotherapy plays a leading role in modern addiction treatment. For most people, two kinds of psychotherapy services are significant. The first of these services is a cognitive-behavioral therapy program (CBT). The second is a dialectical behavior therapy program (DBT). Both CBT and DBT can help you recover from most forms of addiction. They can also help you recover from the effects of most co-occurring mental health issues.
At Evoke Waltham, we offer the treatment options best suited to meet your needs. To learn more about the differences between CBT and DBT, reach out to us at 866.276.1920. Our specialists would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
What Is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Addiction?
CBT is a form of therapy that focuses on how your thoughts and emotions affect your behavior. Certain thoughts and emotions have a destabilizing effect on you. As a result, they make you more likely to use drugs or alcohol. They can also help sustain an active substance addiction.
In contrast, specific thoughts and emotions increase your personal stability. As a result, they make you less likely to start drinking or using drugs. They can also help you break the cycle of addicted substance use.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy for addiction helps you transition from destabilizing behavior to stabilizing behavior. It does so by:
- Showing you how to spot harmful habits of thinking and emotional response
- Teaching you ways to break these habits
- Giving you the skills you need to establish healthier replacement habits
Research shows that CBT is useful for treating alcoholism. It’s also helpful in treating opioids, stimulants, and cannabis addictions.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Addiction?
DBT is a subtype of cognitive-behavioral therapy. However, it’s unique enough to qualify as its own form of treatment. DBT relies on a two-pronged approach. First, it helps you accept the realities of being addicted to drugs or alcohol. It does so by showing you how to:
- Stay mindful of what’s happening to you in the current moment
- Increase your tolerance for distressing emotions and thoughts
The second part of dialectical behavior therapy for addiction builds on the first part. Here, you learn how to change the realities you have accepted. You do this, in part, by learning how to manage your emotional reactions. In addition, DBT helps you become a better and less confrontational communicator.
Dual Diagnosis, CBT, DBT, and Addiction
About half of all people affected by addiction have additional mental health issues. When these issues occur alongside addiction, the result is referred to as a dual diagnosis. This means you’ve been diagnosed with multiple conditions rather than just one.
CBT and DBT are not only beneficial as addiction treatments. They can also play a significant role in treating other mental health conditions. That includes the two most common forms of mental health conditions, depression, and anxiety disorders. It also includes everything from eating disorders to borderline personality disorder.
Other Treatment Options
While CBT and DBT are often used in unison with other treatment options, it’s important to remember that everyone will react to different combinations of treatments differently. What works for one person may not work for another, so any plan must be tailored to the individual. This way, we can ensure that the patient receives the best possible care.
Learn More About CBT, DBT, and Addiction Recovery at Evoke Waltham
Need more information on CBT, DBT, and addiction rehab? Talk to our specialists at Evoke Waltham. We can explain the full details of each of these state-of-the-art therapies. We can also help clarify if either is a good option for your customized recovery.
Evoke Waltham features both cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. We use these trusted options daily to support effective addiction and mental health recovery. Just call us today at 866.276.1920. You can also contact us through our online form.
