Coastal Detox of Southern California
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based, cognitive-behavioral treatment that is a key component of the addiction treatment program offered at Coastal Detox of Southern California. Our fully licensed clinical team administers DBT as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, individualized to accommodate each patient’s specific needs and mental health conditions. Contact our admission team any time 24/7 to start your journey, or read on to learn more about this important treatment method and how it’s employed at our San Diego treatment facility.Â
While initially designed to treat chronically suicidal individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, DBT has since been adapted and proven effective for treating a wide range of mental health conditions, including substance use disorders, eating disorders, and mood disorders.
The term “dialectical” refers to the core principle of the therapy: finding a synthesis between two opposing forces. In DBT, the primary dialectic is between acceptance — of one’s current reality, emotions, and circumstances — and change — working to improve behaviors and life patterns. This balance is essential for helping people build a life worth living.
Standard DBT is delivered as a comprehensive treatment package. At Coastal Detox, patients receive DBT in both individual and group settings. Patients typically meet with a specially trained DBT therapist once a week. The focus of these sessions is on enhancing motivation and applying skills learned in the group setting.Â
The DBT skills training is typically conducted in a group format, resembling a class where participants learn specific strategies to manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and cope with distress. The skills are grouped into four main modules:
Module | Core Skill Focus |
|---|---|
Mindfulness | Focusing attention, awareness of the present moment, and non-judgmental observation of internal and external experiences. |
Distress Tolerance | Learning to tolerate and survive crises without engaging in self-destructive behaviors. |
Emotional Regulation | Understanding, reducing vulnerability to, and changing intense emotional experiences. Focuses on identifying emotions and learning proactive skills to prevent unwanted emotional consequences. |
Interpersonal Effectiveness | Skills for getting one’s needs met in relationships, maintaining self-respect, and strengthening relationships. |
Whether a person is abusing drugs, alcohol, or a combination of multiple substances, addiction is frequently intertwined with underlying issues like emotional dysregulation, impulse control problems, and a history of trauma—all of which DBT directly targets.
DBT is highly effective for co-occurring disorders, meaning it can simultaneously treat the SUD and common co-occurring conditions like depression, anxiety, or borderline personality disorder, which often fuel the addictive cycle. Key benefits of DBT include:
Many people use drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with intense, painful, or overwhelming emotions (a process often called “self-medication”). DBT’s emotion regulation module provides healthy, evidence-based alternatives to manage emotional storms without resorting to substance use.
Cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and triggers are forms of intense psychological and physical distress. The distress tolerance skills equip patients with the ability to “ride out the wave” of a craving or a crisis without giving in to the urge to use.
Substance abuse is often characterized by impulsivity. DBT’s focus on mindfulness and skills helps patients pause between a trigger and their reaction, making deliberate, less destructive choices.
Addiction frequently strains relationships. The interpersonal effectiveness skills help patients set healthy boundaries, advocate for their needs, and navigate conflict constructively, thereby building a stronger support system crucial for long-term recovery.
Coastal Detox integrates the principles and methods of dialectical behavior therapy into its comprehensive addiction treatment program to provide patients with the skills necessary for sustained recovery. The focus is on moving patients from a state of crisis and destructive behavior toward building a fulfilling, sober life.
With our expert clinical staff, certified medical care, and tranquil environment, Coastal Detox is San Diego’s rehab of choice for patients and loved ones looking to start anew. We’re here when you’re ready to take the first step.Â
Kay Saffe grew up in Miami, Florida, and is a first-generation American with Argentinian roots. A lifelong athlete and ocean lover, she moved to San Diego to pursue a Master’s degree in counseling at the University of San Diego and progress her surfing. She has spent years working as a surf instructor and therapist, working with local non-profits that treat at-risk individuals and families in English and Spanish. She incorporates a mindful and holistic approach to therapy. She is passionate about positive psychology and helping others through their recovery journey.
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