So What is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)?

DBT skills have been shown to be helpful in treating a range of mental health disorders, including depression and alcoholism. In this blog post, we'll explore how DBT skills can help people in recovery from alcoholism manage their emotions and remain abstinent from drinking.

DBT skills can be divided into four main categories: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Mindfulness skills help us to focus on the present moment and to be non-judgmental about our thoughts and feelings. Distress tolerance skills help us to cope with difficult situations in a healthy way. Emotion regulation skills help us to manage our emotions in a healthy way. Interpersonal effectiveness skills help us to communicate effectively and to set boundaries. All of these skills are important for managing alcoholism and mental health disorders. Mindfulness skills can help us to stay present and to avoid drinking in response to negative emotions.

The first step in recovery from alcoholism is acknowledging that you have a problem and need help. For many people, this can be the most difficult part. Denial is a powerful defense mechanism that can keep you from facing the reality of your drinking.

If you're able to acknowledge that you have a problem with drinking, the next step is to seek help. There are a variety of treatment options available, including inpatient and outpatient programs, 12-step programs, and therapy. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is a type of therapy that has been shown to be particularly effective in treating people with alcohol use disorders.

DBT skills can help you to better manage your emotions, which can be a major trigger for drinking. Many people who are in recovery from alcoholism find that they need to avoid emotions altogether in order to stay abstinent. However, avoidance only works for so long and can eventually lead to relapse. DBT skills can help you to deal with your emotions in a healthy way, which can reduce your risk of relapse.

Next week, we’ll delve more into the first DBT skill: Mindfulness.

Marsha Linehan, Ph.D., ABPP, Creator of DBT Therapy