DBT Use During Florida Inpatient Treatment

Originally designed to treat people with borderline personality disorder, dialectical behavior therapy is now an important part of Florida inpatient treatment. Many addicts who attend drug rehab in FL struggle with extreme responses to stress, and DBT helps them to avoid self-medication in difficult situations. This therapy is remarkably effective for people whose chaotic lives and emotional vulnerabilities contributed to their addictions. Sensitive addicts who want to make the most of Florida inpatient treatment need to understand how dialectical behavior therapy can help them stay clean.

The Concept of Dialectics

In philosophy, dialectics refers to the idea that everything is composed of opposites, and that change can only occur when one opposite is greater than the other. Addicts with borderline personality disorder often develop addictions because their negative emotional responses far outweigh their desires or wills to avoid drug use. In general, DBT helps rehab patients address this problem by acknowledging their strong emotions – but teaching them the skills they need to overcome them.

Accepting the Problem

People with borderline personality disorder experience greater physiological and emotional responses to stress than most people. In order to form the best relationships with their clients, dialectical behavior therapists will sympathize with these negative feelings and even validate them. However, they also teach addicts that their behaviors are only making their addictions and mental illnesses worse. As with other types of cognitive-behavioral therapy, DBT relies on accepting problems and moving forward with positive thoughts and actions.

Primary Teachings

The main objective of DBT is to teach people the following four principles:

*Mindfulness – Patients are taught to be mindful of themselves, other people, and their surroundings. They are also told to live in the present moment and to not become distressed over past and future events. Although DBT doesn’t involve any explicitly religious practices, mindfulness techniques are adapted from Zen Buddhist teachings.

*Emotional Regulation – People who are prone to overreaction must learn to identify and alter disturbing emotions. Therapists help patients accomplish this goal by teaching them about body language, physical sensations, and other signs of distress.

*Distress Tolerance – Since stress is an unavoidable part of everyone’s life, addicts must learn to cope with it when it occurs. Distress tolerance helps them to accept difficult situations and make take appropriate action – rather than succumbing to desperation and drug abuse.

*Interpersonal Effectiveness – All of the teachings of DBT must be applied to interactions with other people. Patients are taught to communicate openly, assert themselves when necessary, and remain confident during conflicts.

How Therapies Work

Dialectical behavioral therapy is typically split into individual and group sessions during Florida inpatient treatment. In weekly one-on-one meetings, therapists focus on specific single issues which have been problematic for their patients since their last visits. They discuss possible solutions, and they maintain communication throughout the following week via phone calls and additional short meetings. Group sessions are particularly helpful for enhancing addicts’ interpersonal effectiveness.

Overall, these therapies are excellent for decreasing risks of suicide, enhancing patients’ qualities of life, and ensuring the completion of their treatment programs. People with borderline personality disorder and similar conditions are prone to leave rehab early after painful experiences, but better emotional control can keep them focused on their recoveries.

If you’re struggling with an addiction, there is no time to waste. Call the number at the top of your screen now for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. Our dedicated counselors are standing by day and night to help you get started on your recovery with a powerful Florida inpatient treatment program.

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