Is There a Difference Between DBT vs. CBT?

Addiction treatment involves various therapies. Specialists in this field understand the importance of taking the right therapeutic approach to each client. Regarding behavioral therapy, many people might consider the differences in DBT vs. CBT. These two therapies share some similarities, but the ways they differ make them most appropriate for specific situations.

Negative Thoughts Can Turn Into Negative Actions

People feel a range of emotions every day. Everyone has a bad day now and then. You might even have a brief period of blue moods. However, what happens when you can’t shake negative feelings?

Some people consistently feel sad or angry. Even when things are looking up for them, they’re waiting for something terrible to happen. Constant negative thoughts take an emotional and mental toll. Unfortunately, it can lead to physical problems as well as drug and alcohol abuse as a way to cope.

DBT vs CBT–What’s the Difference?

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, is designed to help people see how their thoughts turn into behaviors.

Dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, is a form of CBT. It builds on CBT to focus on specific areas of negative thought patterns.

What are the Major Differences Between DBT vs. CBT?

CBT is a short-term therapy. Professionals use it to treat some conditions, including depression and eating disorders. In addiction treatment, CBT gives clients options for coping with their negative thoughts instead of drug and alcohol abuse.

Ideally, clients begin to recognize their negative emotions as they happen. They won’t continue to let those negative thoughts build up as they did in the past. They’ll learn to change those negative thoughts—especially ones that erode their self-esteem—into positive ones.

DBT started as a treatment for clients who had a personality disorder. It’s now used in addiction treatment for clients who have serious trust issues. Due to that lack of trust, they often don’t have healthy relationships with people in their lives. In DBT, therapists help clients see how they can make better decisions, similar to CBT.

One of the most significant differences with CBT vs. DBT is this–CBT has a heavy focus on a person’s thought process, while DBT goes one step further and adds focus on that person’s interpersonal relationships.

Win the Battle Against Drug and Alcohol Addiction

Beaches Recovery is a drug and alcohol rehab center in Jacksonville, Florida. We provide a range of addiction treatment and therapy services, including DBT, CBT, trauma and PTSD therapy. Our Joint Commission accredited facility partners with top insurance companies such as Humana, BCBS, VA CCN, and Aetna.

The addiction treatment programs we offer include:

• Inpatient drug rehab
• Outpatient program
• Executive alcohol rehab
• Sober living
• Fresh Start DUI program

The compassionate professionals at Beaches Recovery understand the differences between DBT vs. CBT. Let us design an individualized program for you to help you win your fight against drug and alcohol addiction. Call us at 866.605.0532 today to get your recovery started.