Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy vs. DBT: What’s the Difference?

When someone is getting treatment for drug or alcohol addiction, they’re likely going to have several different treatment programs and therapies as part of their overall plan for getting better. Two of the most common types of one-on-one counseling at rehab centers are cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which are both effective sources of help for people experiencing intense emotions as they start on the road to recovery. The big difference is what issues people want to focus on when meeting with their therapists. CBT centers on a person’s feelings and behaviors, trying to replace unhealthy feelings and behaviors, while DBT is a specialized form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that helps people manage their emotions, such as dealing with the loss of a loved one or a troubled relationship. While they share many similarities, there are differences between cognitive-behavioral therapy vs. DBT in Los Angeles. Let’s explore the unique ways these two treatments can help with addiction and underlying mental health disorders like depression or anxiety and how they’re used at Muse Treatment.

CBT vs. DBT in Recovery: What Is the Difference?

When the time comes to improve yourself in therapy sessions, choosing the correct approach can be essential. That’s why you should be aware of the differences between cognitive-behavioral therapy vs. DBT in California. The biggest distinction is their approaches to helping people. While cognitive-behavioral therapy centers on how people think and act, dialectical behavior therapy centers around your interactions with others, as well as yourself.

Generally speaking, CBT in addiction treatment is highly structured and focuses on short-term success by setting realistic goals. People begin the process by pinpointing their challenges and how they affect their daily lives. Then, they learn effective strategies for coping in the future and work to replace troubled thoughts or behavior patterns with more productive ways of thinking, according to the Mayo Clinic. Meanwhile, DBT centers on regulating your negative feelings and behaviors. While it is based on CBT and originated as a therapy for borderline personality disorder, DBT is now used regularly for assisting in the treatment of a handful of mental disorders, especially when self-harm is involved, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy has proven to be highly effective in treating:

Phobias: Uncontrollable, irrational, and persistent fear of a specific object, situation, or activity.
Depression: This common illness can be quite severe, negatively affecting how you think, act, and feel.
Anxiety disorders: Persistent feelings of anxiety or dread that often interfere with daily life.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): Unwanted thoughts, fears and obsessions that can lead to repetitive behaviors, also known as compulsions.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): This condition usually occurs in people who have experienced a dangerous, shocking or scary event.

Click here to call Muse Addiction Center today. Our staff is available 24/7 to provide answers and begin the admissions process. Call (800) 426-1818.

Dialectical behavior therapy has proven to help patients suffering from:

Self-harm: A person will harm themselves as a method of coping with a stressful situation.
Eating disorders: Consistent eating behavior that harms one’s mental and physical health.
Substance use disorders: The ongoing use of drugs or alcohol, regardless of the substantial harm to one’s body, and its negative effects on others.
Borderline personality disorder: When a person experiences extreme mood swings, unhealthy relationships and difficulty controlling their feelings. These people tend to have a higher risk of self-destructive behavior, as well as suicidal behavior.

Cognitive Therapy

What Do CBT and DBT Have in Common?

Your treatment options certainly have plenty of similarities. For instance, the two psychotherapies revolve around how people think, act, and feel. They both cause folks to reevaluate their negative thoughts and unhealthy behaviors. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy also put plenty of emphasis on the important relationship between patients and their therapists. Clients often receive homework with therapeutic assignments, and both types of therapy have proven to be highly effective.

Cognitive-behavioral and dialectical behavior therapies are both supported by evidence and are commonly employed as initial treatments for a wide variety of mental health issues, including co-occurring mental health struggles that someone might have in addition to addiction. These therapeutic approaches are both effective for addressing anger issues, causing users to refrain from harming themselves, as well as others. Even the symptoms of depression or anxiety tend to get better after a person spends a considerable amount of time in either CBT or DBT. When it comes to cognitive-behavioral therapy vs. DBT, it depends on managing the present with CBT or finding a long-term solution with dialectical behavioral therapy.

Comparing and Contrasting CBT and DBT for Addicts

The two treatments have proven to be successful at helping people manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Just keep in mind that CBT is a general term for talk therapy with a number of features, such as treating a patient’s emotional responses to negative situations. CBT also relies on a strong relationship between patients and their counselors. It is limited to a structured time frame and uses specific methods tailored to each patient’s overall goals. While DBT is a form of CBT, dialectical behavior therapy is meant to address pain yet feel safe from harm. People learn what specific triggers to avoid and find better coping mechanisms, which may also be supplemented by prescription medications.

CBT is known to be extremely effective when it comes to managing depression, along with anxiety. It allows people to gain control over their own issues. The form of recovery is also popular for treating everything from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and insomnia to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and panic attacks. Dialectical behavior therapy helps those suffering from borderline personality disorders. Treatment focuses on changing people’s behavior patterns over a long period of time rather than calming them down for the moment. Once effective, feelings of pain and rejection fade away with time. DBT has proven to help those who may harm themselves or even be contemplating suicide. Sexual assault victims and soldiers returning home from battle tend to respond well to dialectical behavior techniques.

Click here to call Muse Addiction Center today. Our staff is available 24/7 to provide answers and begin the admissions process. Call (800) 426-1818.

Can Addicts Do CBT and DBT at the Same Time?

If you encounter triggers for an addiction, such as feeling stressed or bored, CBT could be particularly effective on you. On the other hand, DBT is better suited for patients with a dual diagnosis. The professionals at Muse Treatment in California can integrate or apply both approaches sequentially based on your treatment response. In other words, yes, a person can take both CBT and DBT simultaneously.

According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NIMI), DBT can help people focus on their personal strengths and find the right balance between what needs to change and what should be accepted. It also helps reduce risky and potentially dangerous behaviors, such as drug and alcohol abuse.

Muse Treatment Provides Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and DBT in California

When it comes to the top drug and alcohol rehab in California, you want a facility that offers comprehensive treatment programs that cover every phase of the recovery process, such as medical detox, medically-assisted treatment (MAT), inpatient and outpatient programs, and aftercare support services. For the best cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy in Los Angeles, you want nothing less than expert addiction specialists working with you toward a full recovery. Muse Treatment is proud to offer comprehensive addiction treatment programs and the right mix of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy vs. DBT, to help people overcome struggles with addiction and mental health conditions and get on the road to recovery. Call us today at 800-426-1818 to learn more about how we can help.