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If you have tried alcohol treatment before and did not complete the program or relapsed afterward, you want to be certain this time that the therapy will be successful. Consider a type of treatment known as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which is effective for recovery from alcohol dependency.
About Dialectical Behavior Therapy
This type of therapy, available from places like Arizona Consulting And Counseling Services, focuses not only on recovering from addiction and on avoiding relapse, but on a holistic view of creating a worthwhile, fulfilling life. The therapist will encourage you to develop goals for your future that do not involve drinking alcohol or engaging in other negative behavior.
In DBT, excessive alcohol use is viewed as a method people use to deal with life's problems and difficult emotions when they don't have the necessary skills to solve those problems. Changing the drinking behavior alone is not enough to provide long-lasting success in recovery.
DBT Skills Sessions
During DBT sessions, you'll learn specific skills to keep you on the recovery path. Some of these skills include:
Relevant Research
DBT was originally developed to help suicidal people. The concept was later broadened to provide assistance to individuals with other mental health issues, including substance abuse. If you are dealing with problems such as anxiety or depression that are connected in some way with your alcohol use, DBT may be particularly effective as a comprehensive treatment program.
Research published in 2000 notes that a number of studies confirm the usefulness of DBT for reducing substance abuse and other dysfunctional behavior. It also increases treatment retention; in other words, it reduces the number of people who leave treatment before completing the program.
What Can You Do Now?
Research some alcohol treatment programs in your area, or in another region if you'd prefer to enroll in an inpatient program at a rehab center away from home. Learn which ones offer DBT as the main focus or as an option for treatment. Contact the centers that look like the best fit for you. Soon you'll be back on the path to recovery and learning the tools you need for success.
Share4 February 2015
