Therapies – DBT
How Dialectical Behavior Therapy in NJ Helps Manage Emotions in Recovery
Build the Skills to Manage Emotions, Navigate Distress, and Sustain Recovery
WHEN EMOTIONS FEEL 
UNMANAGEABLE, THERE’S STILL A WAY THROUGH
For many who struggle with addiction, the hardest part of the experience is actually the overwhelming emotions, the impulsivity, and feeling as if their emotions are impossible to regulate and that the only relief can come from substances, rather than the substance itself.
Dialectical behavior therapy was built specifically to address that experience.
This type of therapy provides patients with the tools to successfully cope with negative feelings, manage intense emotions, and create relationships that enhance their ability to remain sober. At Meridian Recovery in Sewell, New Jersey, dialectical behavioral therapy is a clinical staple in our addiction treatment program at every level of care.
What Is Dialectical Behavior Therapy?
Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is an evidence-based form of psychotherapy created by psychologist Marsha Linehan for people diagnosed with borderline personality disorder.[1] Since its inception, DBT has been modified and evaluated for use in treating several disorders, including substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mood disorders, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and self-injury behaviors. DBT has become one of the most widely accepted and versatile psychotherapeutic approaches in behavioral health.
The foundation of DBT is based on the concept that two opposing ideas can coexist: a person can only do their best and also need to do better. The acceptance and change components create the foundation of the dialectical view of the therapy, helping clients build a life that feels worth living.
At Meridian Recovery, we use DBT across our entire continuum of care as a clinically appropriate and carefully executed component of care. Therapy sessions are delivered in-person by a licensed therapist, licensed clinical social worker ( LCSW), or counselor who has completed DBT training related to the approach’s specific content.
Who Is DBT Right For?
DBT is particularly well-suited for those struggling with substance use disorders who also demonstrate difficulty with emotional regulation, impulsivity difficulties, and interpersonal problems. It may be especially beneficial for those who:
- Struggle with intense, rapidly shifting emotions that are difficult to manage without substances
- Those requiring anger management
- Have a history of self-harm, suicidal ideation, or behaviors driven by emotional dysregulation
- Are living with co-occurring conditions such as borderline personality disorder, PTSD, attention-deficit disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), mood disorders, or anxiety disorders alongside substance use
- Find that relationships — and the stress, conflict, and pain they sometimes bring — are a significant trigger for substance use
- Have tried other therapeutic approaches without finding the practical skills framework they needed
- Are looking for a structured, skills-based approach that gives them concrete tools to use in daily life
DBT’s emphasis on building practical skills makes it accessible and meaningful for people who need to know what to actually do when things get hard.
How DBT Works
DBT is structured and organized around four core skill sets that serve to overcome the challenges that exist in emotional and behavioral conditions, driving the use of substances.
- Mindfulness — The foundational skill set of DBT is mindfulness. Mindfulness allows the client to observe their thoughts and feelings without reacting immediately to either. Within the context of addiction, the client can become aware of their cravings or difficult emotions without being consumed by their urges.
- Distress tolerance — These skills are designed to assist the client in coping with crisis situations and the pain associated with the event without worsening the situation. Rather than utilizing substances to escape from their feelings, clients will gain a multitude of evidence-based tools for coping successfully with difficult types and situations.
- Emotion regulation — Emotion regulation provides clients with practical techniques, skills, and knowledge required to help them understand their emotions and learn how to manage them, or how to decrease the intensity of their negative emotions effectively.
- Interpersonal effectiveness — Skills to improve relationships by learning assertive communication and healthy boundaries with other people. Using these tools will enable the client to maintain a safe, stable, and respectful connection with others without causing them to use substances.
The skills developed through DBT are intended to be practiced, rehearsed, and applied to real situations in a client’s life, enabling new, healthier ways of thinking and behaving over time.
The Efficacy of DBT for Substance Use Disorder
DBT is considered to be very effective and has a great deal of research supporting its use with a variety of different populations and disorders. Below are some research findings:
- Validated for use with addictions — Many studies have demonstrated DBT’s efficacy in the treatment of substance use disorders, including decreases in substance use, increased retention in treatment, and improved long-term outcomes when compared to standard treatment options.[2]
- Highly effective with co-occurring disorders — DBT was designed with complex, co-occurring populations in mind, and it is particularly effective for those individuals dealing simultaneously with substance use and borderline personality disorder, PTSD, ADHD, or mood disorders.[3] Because of this, DBT is one of the most strongly supported treatment modalities for clients with dual diagnoses.
- Reduction in self-harm and suicidal behaviors — The original DBT target population was individuals with a history of committing self-injury or having suicidal thoughts. DBT is known to reduce these self-harming behaviors.[4]
- Durable skills — DBT develops tangible, behavioral skills that clients can use long after completing the formal treatment program, whereas many other forms of psychological therapy focus on developing insight.[5]
- Informed consent by the leading health authorities — DBT is perceived by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and other major health organizations as an evidence-based treatment for individuals suffering from a substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health disorders.[6]
The research regularly shows that, for individuals whose addiction is intertwined with emotional dysregulation or co-occurring mental health challenges, DBT is one of the most effective treatments available.
DBT at Meridian Recovery
DBT treatment is offered in all levels of care at Meridian Recovery, and is provided by licensed treatment professionals who are trained in DBT evidence-based treatment modalities.
Here is what sets our approach apart:
- Integrated into your full treatment plan — Our DBT treatment is integrated into your customized and comprehensive treatment plan.
- Adapted to you — While DBT follows a structured protocol, each client’s sessions are customized to their particular emotional patterns, history, and treatment objectives.
- Applied across levels of care — Clients will be introduced to DBT skills, whether they are in our partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), or outpatient treatment program, providing for a comprehensive continuum of care for clients as they move through their recovery journey.
- Specialized dual diagnosis focus — DBT is exceptionally effective for those managing co-occurring disorders like bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, or chronic suicidal ideation alongside addiction. We help you navigate the intense emotional “waves” that often trigger substance use.
The skills you develop using DBT will remain with you throughout your life, allowing you to better manage your emotions, develop healthy relationships, and deal with life’s challenges as you pursue a life that is truly worth living.
Contact Us
Find the Skills That Make Recovery Sustainable
If you or a loved one is looking for dialectical behavior therapy for addiction in New Jersey, Meridian Recovery is here to help. Reach out to our admissions team today to learn more about how DBT can fit into your individualized treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About DBT for Addiction
Is DBT therapy covered by insurance?
In most cases, yes. Dialectical behavior therapy is an accepted form of evidence-based treatment, and numerous private insurance companies cover DBT as either an addiction or mental healthcare benefit. Meridian Recovery will work with your insurance to verify coverage before you begin treatment.
Does DBT treat PTSD?
Definitely. Dialectical behavior therapy has an established and recognized level of evidence demonstrating its effectiveness with PTSD, particularly when there is co-occurring substance use disorder or emotional dysregulation issues.
What mental health conditions is DBT effective for?
Dialectical behavior therapy has been shown to be effective with a variety of mental health disorders, including borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders.
Does DBT rewire the brain?
Research suggests that, like all forms of evidence-based psychotherapies, DBT can create observable differences in how the brain processes emotion and regulates behavior over time.[7] Although “rewiring” is a rudimentary term to describe neuroplasticity, research indicates that consistent practice of DBT creates substantial changes in emotion regulation.
Sources
[1] [2] [5] Chapman, A. L. (2006). Dialectical behavior therapy: Current indications and unique elements. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 3(9), 62–68. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2963469/
[3] [4] Linehan, M. M., Schmidt, H., Dimeff, L. A., Craft, J. C., Kanter, J., & Comtois, K. A. (1999). Dialectical behavior therapy for patients with borderline personality disorder and drug-dependence. The American Journal on Addictions, 8(4), 279–292. https://doi.org/10.1080/105504999305686
[6] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2014). An introduction to co-occurring borderline personality disorder and substance use disorders (In Brief). https://library.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/sma14-4879.pdf
[7] Iskric, A., & Barkley-Levenson, E. (2021). Neural changes in borderline personality disorder after dialectical behavior therapy–A review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 12, 772081. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.772081
