A strong client-therapist relationship is at the heart of our dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) program at CeDAR. This conversation-based form of cognitive-behavioral therapy allows for open and engaging dialog during therapy. Initially, DBT was used to treat borderline personality disorder; however, it can be used to treat a vast array of mental health and dual diagnosis concerns. Contact our Denver detox and psychiatric center by calling 720.848.3000 to learn more about dialectical behavior therapy. Our outpatient treatment program likely has the therapies and approaches to help you or a loved one.

dialectical behavior therapyDBT & Substance Use Disorder

Anyone researching a substance use disorder treatment program or drug rehab will see the term dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), probably more than once. At CeDAR, we offer evidence-based treatments, including DBT. With DBT, our patients worked with a therapist to make positive changes.

CeDAR is UCHealth’s primary drug and alcohol treatment facility. We typically help people that have a substance use disorder such as alcoholism. By using treatments such as dialectical behavior therapy, they can find lasting recovery.

If you or someone in your life has a substance use disorder, give us a call at 720.848.3000 today.

What Is a Substance Use Disorder?

A substance use disorder is what many people would call addiction. Essentially, it involves an uncontrollable use of a substance such as:

  • Opioids
  • Alcohol
  • Prescription drugs
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Stimulants

Substance use disorder is a complex disease that affects the brain and alters behavior. It may start through experimentation or recreational use of a drug like alcohol or cocaine. Someone taking prescription medication can also develop an addiction.

Treatment typically involves a mix of medication and therapy. One therapy used in substance use treatment is dialectical behavior therapy. Therapists use it to help people who are struggling with emotional regulation, accepting criticism, and developing healthy relationships. The goal is the help the patient live in the moment. It involves developing healthy coping mechanisms and learning to regulate emotions.

How Does DBT Work?

DBT allows a therapist and patient to work together to resolve certain mental conflicts. For example, someone may think they are either good or bad. There is no gray area. Their thinking can charge routinely, as well. One day they are all good, and the next day all bad.

DBT shows you how to see both sides of yourself instead of believing you must be one or the other. In fact, “dialectical” means opposing forces. The key is to identify a person’s strengths and build on them. The therapy also helps them to recognize negative thinking and assumptions that make them unhappy. DBT involves four key categories.

What Are the Four Categories of DBT?

DBT often focuses on four areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Through mindfulness, patients learn acceptance and to live in the moment, not in the past or future.

Distress tolerance is about accepting negative emotions instead of avoiding them. Patients use different techniques to manage these emotions, like distraction, self-soothing, mindfulness, and interpersonal connection.

Emotional regulation teaches ways to manage intense emotions. The patient navigates powerful feelings and finds ways to identify them. Once they can recognize these feelings, they are less scary and more easily managed.

Interpersonal effectiveness helps builds communication skills that maintain self-respect and strengthen personal relationships. The patients are assertive while remaining positive. Once you are expressing what you need, you communicate more effectively without being defensive or disrespectful.

What To Expect at CeDAR

CeDAR is a comprehensive residential addiction treatment campus in Denver that relies on evidence-based therapies like DBT. Services at CeDAR include:

  • Medical detox
  • Partial hospitalization
  • Gender-specific residential treatment
  • Outpatient services
  • Family therapy

Although we work with patients with all forms of substance use disorders, CeDAR also offers dual diagnosis treatment so that we can manage any psychiatric symptoms as well. CeDAR is affiliated with UCHealth, so our staff can help those with existing medical problems while they go through therapy.

You’ll find CeDAR across the street from UCH Hospital in Denver, CO. Call us today at 720.848.3000 or go online and fill out our contact form to find out more about DBT and other therapies we offer.