Music City Detox

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in Nashville, TN

When someone struggles with alcohol and substance use disorders, there are different types of evidence-based therapeutic modalities used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan at Music City Detox.

One such therapy we offer our clients with our personalized detox programs is dialectical behavioral therapy in Nashville.

Learn more about our addiction therapy programs or call us now at 615-695-1009.

What Is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?

Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy that incorporates components of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) along with other therapeutic aspects, including:

  • Mindfulness
  • Emotion regulation
  • Interpersonal effectiveness
  • Distress tolerance

DBT helps people become more aware of their emotions and behaviors that are contributing to their addiction, as well as triggers and stressful situations that could cause relapse. DBT also helps people develop the tools needed to address these situations, as well as change their behaviors, feelings, and thoughts to avoid negative reactions.

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DBT Outcomes In Addiction Treatment

  • Studies show that DBT reduces substance use by approximately 64% compared to 35% with standard addiction treatment
  • Treatment retention rates increase to about 75% with DBT integration, compared to 50% in traditional programs
  • Emotional regulation improvements are reported in 68% of DBT participants versus 40% in standard care
  • One-year abstinence rates reach approximately 58% with DBT compared to 30% in traditional treatment
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Success Rates in Addiction Treatment

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Components of Dialectical Behavioral Therapy

DBT consists of four main components:

  • Mindfulness: Mindfulness involves becoming more aware and present in the current moment. It helps people develop observational skills while increasing awareness of their feelings and thoughts without reacting to them negatively. 
  • Emotion regulation: Emotion regulation involves developing skills and techniques that help people recognize and regulate negative emotions effectively. Part of the process is identifying triggers and negative emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. People then learn how to increase positive responses, reduce their vulnerability to negativity, and use emotion regulation strategies. 
  • Interpersonal effectiveness: This component of DBT helps people develop more effective communication skills in order to improve relationships with others. It involves learning assertiveness skills while maintaining healthy boundaries, self-respect, and using conflict resolution techniques. 
  • Distress tolerance: This DBT component focuses on helping people learn skills to help them tolerate distressing situations, such as facing triggers or extremely stressful situations, without relapsing. Some of the skills people learn include crisis survival, acceptance, distraction techniques, and self-soothing techniques. 

Each of these components complements each other when used within the structured framework of DBT as part of a comprehensive addiction treatment program.

Our Nashville Dialectical Behavioral Therapy Programs

Throughout our addiction treatment programs, DBT’s core dialectic of acceptance and change is emphasized, helping clients balance self-acceptance with motivation for positive change.

Skills are taught incrementally, with each level building upon previous learning while adapting to clients’ current needs and capabilities.

Detox 

  • During the medical detoxification phase, DBT principles are introduced in a modified format that accounts for our clients’ withdrawal symptoms. Staff incorporate basic mindfulness and distress tolerance skills to help clients manage immediate discomfort and cravings. Simple grounding techniques and brief emotional regulation exercises are taught, with a focus on getting through minute-by-minute challenges.

Residential Treatment

  • The residential level provides intensive immersion in all four DBT modules: mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotion regulation, and distress tolerance. Clients participate in structured DBT skills groups daily, with dedicated time for skills practice and homework review. 

Partial Hospitalization Programming (PHP)

  • Partial Hospitalization Programs maintain the intensity of DBT training while clients begin transitioning to more independence. Daily skills groups continue but with increased focus on applying DBT skills to real-world triggers and challenges clients face when returning home in the evenings. 

Aftercare

  • Our aftercare phase focuses on maintaining and generalizing DBT skills in daily life. Graduates often participate in DBT-informed alumni groups where they can continue skill development and provide peer support.

DBT can be provided using the following types of therapies:

  • Individual therapy: This type of therapy is where the individual and psychiatrist work one-on-one to address specific issues, set goals, learn and develop the appropriate skills, and is given “homework” assignments to work on outside of therapy sessions.
  • Group therapy: DBT group therapy is a group session that focuses on learning and practicing DBT skills. Sessions are led by a psychiatrist or trained therapist who teaches the group various concepts related to managing emotions, behaviors, and thoughts more effectively. DBT group sessions often include role-playing to allow participants time to practice new skills and techniques.

What Conditions Can DBT Help Treat?

DBT is an effective evidence-based therapy that can be used to treat a variety of different conditions, including:

The Effectiveness of DBT in Addiction Treatment

Nashville dialectical behavioral therapy can be very effective in addiction treatment and sustaining long-term recovery. DBT has four primary goals when it is included in alcohol and substance use disorder treatment programs:

  • Regain control: DBT helps individuals regain control over their behaviors, emotions, and thoughts, which normally are out of control when struggling with addiction.
  • Address and deal with emotions: When people are addicted to alcohol and drugs, they often shut down their emotional responses in favor of drinking or using drugs. DBT helps people to acknowledge their emotions and learn how to respond to them in a healthy manner. 
  • Rebuild one’s life and relationships: Addiction is a disease that affects the individual and those around them. DBT helps people learn how to rebuild their lives in a healthier manner than turning to alcohol or drugs, as well as helps them start repairing and rebuilding damaged relationships. 
  • Acceptance and a sense of connectedness: DBT helps people learn how to be accepting of themselves, their feelings, emotions, and behaviors. The various skills and techniques they learn also help them develop a sense of connectedness with their peers, family, and friends. 

Find Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in Nashville Today

When you are tired of letting alcohol or drugs run your life, help is available at Music City Detox to help you break free from addiction. Our caring and compassionate team is ready to help you take the first steps to recovery with comprehensive and personalized care plans that include dialectical behavioral therapy in Nashville.

Contact us today to start the admissions process to a brighter, substance-free future.

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