When you undergo substance abuse treatment, you’ll likely participate in behavioral counseling. Conventional modalities include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). However, are both effective? In a DBT vs CBT comparison, which one’s right for you?
Understanding What’s Behind the Acronyms
Cognitive behavioral therapy vs. dialectical behavioral therapy discussions require an understanding of the approaches. In CBT vs DBT, it’s crucial to understand that the latter is an outcropping of the former. Both are non-invasive talk therapies. Most importantly, both also empower people with dysfunction to end self-destructive behaviors.
Let’s say that your thoughts are causing negative emotions and behaviors. Of course, you want to change that. Therefore, you need to find new coping skills that take the negativity out of the equation. This is where CBT shines.
In contrast, DBT builds on the treatment by honing in on the emotions. Sunflower Wellness Retreat’s dialectical behavioral therapy program in Kansas City, KS, you learn to accept them. Besides that, you understand that there’s nothing wrong with strong emotions. However, you find ways of controlling them to prevent patterns of emotional responses to real-life triggers.
DBT vs CBT in Addiction Counseling
CBT can make a significant difference in the way you notice personal patterns. A primary difference between DBT and CBT is the emphasis on making changes. You see that there’s something that creates a drug abuse trigger. By replacing the impulse with a healthy coping mechanism, you disarm the trigger.
A secondary difference between DBT and CBT is the fact that there are situations you can’t change. They’re simply outside of your control. Therefore, you need to find ways to embrace and process emotions that come from having these situations happen. A therapist helps you find healthy ways of acknowledging and dealing with strong feelings.
Both therapeutic interventions encourage self-regulation. However, in a discussion of DBT vs CBT, the former focuses on emotions, whereas the latter hones in on thoughts. Frequently, clients find that undergoing both talk therapies is highly effective.
Incorporating Behavioral Counseling with Other Evidence-Based Treatments
In the cognitive behavioral therapy vs. dialectical behavioral therapy discussion, it’s important to note that neither approach stands alone. Instead, they both become part of a bigger care protocol. Other treatments include:
- Relapse prevention training that helps you find ways of protecting early sobriety
- Dual diagnosis treatment for mental health concerns that might create triggers for substance abuse
- Recreational therapy as a tool for building wellness, self-esteem, and self-reliance
- Group therapy that encourages peer counseling as well as social skills training
- Medication-assisted treatment for post-acute withdrawal and cravings
Individual therapy is still the cornerstone of any treatment approach. By receiving one-on-one attention from a therapist, you can dig deep and find your triggers. Similarly, you identify the stressors that propelled you to abuse a substance. The CBT vs DBT discussion underscores the customization of the care approaches you undergo.
Enrolling in Rehab Today
You don’t have to struggle with substance abuse any longer. You’ve tried for so long to handle it on your own; it’s time to hand the situation to the professionals. They’ll weigh the advantages of DBT vs CBT in your case to pinpoint how best to meet your needs. Reach out to the Sunflower Wellness Retreat at 855.730.8825 today.
