Dialectical Behavioral Therapy at Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire
Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire takes a trauma-informed approach to the disease of addiction. We believe that trauma plays a major role in the addiction process. The individual addicted to drugs and alcohol suffers from some form of pain, whether it is mental, emotional, or physical. Substance abuse is a misguided attempt by the individual to relieve themselves of their pain. By treating the root cause of the addiction, it is possible for the individual to maintain their sobriety far beyond the time the physical dependence has ended due to a stay at an inpatient drug and alcohol detox program in New Hampshire.
This trauma-informed approach to addiction has been able to help many drug and alcohol-dependent individuals seeking help from substance abuse at our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab program in Antrim, NH, to achieve long-term recovery. By applying various therapeutic modalities our addiction counselors deliver a highly effective individualized addiction treatment plan to each client. One of the most effective modalities our counselors employ is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire’s clinical team has adapted and applied CBT to treat various mental health conditions. Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire’s clinical team practices a modified form of CBT known as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Addiction Treatment in New Hampshire
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy aligns with Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire’s trauma-informed approach to addiction. Research has found DBT highly effective in treating conditions such as substance abuse, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is also often used in treating survivors of sexual abuse and individuals with suicidal thoughts.What is known as the Four Modules forms the foundation of DBT:
The Four Modules of DBT
- Mindfulness – the individual focuses on practicing acceptance over things by combining rational thought and emotional thought to become wise.
- Distress Tolerance – the individual will learn to bear pain skillfully through healthy coping mechanisms.
- Emotional Regulation – the individual will learn to identify and label their emotions. Eventually, the individual will learn to change unwanted emotions.
- Interpersonal Effectiveness – the individual learns strategies to assert and express themselves to others.
The Four Modules of DBT build upon each other: Individuals gain Distress Tolerance by being mindful and practicing acceptance. They acquire Emotional Regulation through coping skills learned in Distress Tolerance and acceptance through Mindfulness. Finally, they achieve Interpersonal Effectiveness by applying what they have learned in each previous module. In Dialectical Behavioral Therapy’s Four Modules the addiction counselor provides the individual with exercises to enhance their understanding and develop the skills and practices needed.
Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire’s Approach to DBT
The experienced team of substance abuse therapists and addiction counselors at Sobriety Center of New Hampshire, utilize DBT exercises in both individual therapy and during group therapy. When residents meet with their therapist for individual therapy, they will learn to identify and label their emotions, cope with their pain, build strategies to express themselves in a healthy way, and learn the balance between the emotional mind and the rational mind (the wise mind).
During group therapy, the residents of our inpatient drug and alcohol rehab program in Antrim, NH, will learn to identify triggers, develop coping skills, avoid negative emotions, practice meditation techniques, and learn to effectively communicate with others through DBT exercises such as ACCEPTS, IMPROVE, PLEASE, GIVE, FAST, and DEARMAN. While these acronyms for each exercise may seem odd, they will help our residents in dealing with the underlying causes of their addiction to drugs and alcohol. DBT is not only found in our Inpatient Addiction Treatment Center in Antrim, NH but in our Outpatient Addiction Treatment Center in Laconia, NH as well as outside recovery meetings. SMART Recovery utilizes many aspects of dialectical behavioral therapy as well as cognitive behavioral therapy and rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT).
While Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire uses other modalities of therapy, DBT plays a crucial role in treating addiction and other mental health conditions affecting individuals with substance use disorder in New Hampshire. Once your body has been cleared from drugs and alcohol, the underlying causes of the substance abuse can be discovered and treated. The team of dedicated and highly-trained recovery specialists at Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire will work to support our residents as they create a new and healthy life for themselves that is free from addiction to drugs and alcohol.
