Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) can help those seeking addiction treatment to learn several skills—mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and emotional regulation—that are effective at helping addicted people stop using drugs and alcohol.
DBT also focuses on changing an individual’s behavior and surroundings to make sobriety easier.
Common DBT strategies include:
- Helping patients seek out environments and peer groups that discourage drug use
- Encouraging addicts to remove triggers such as drug paraphernalia or unhealthy relationships from their daily lives
- Bolstering self-esteem and confidence to help patients stay sober through stressful periods
