Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
When you gain control of your emotions, everything else starts to shift.
What is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy?
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a skills-based therapy that helps people manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and stay in control during recovery.
Skills You’ll Learn in DBT
- Managing intense emotions
- Staying calm under stress
- Practicing mindfulness
- Communicating clearly
- Finding the balance between emotions and logic
How DBT Helps Treat Addiction
Reduce Impulsive Behavior
Learn how to pause, check in with your emotions, and make thoughtful choices instead of acting on cravings or urges, helping you avoid relapse in high-risk moments.
Manage Overwhelming Emotions
Build tools to handle intense feelings like shame, anger, or anxiety without shutting down or turning to substances.
Improve Communication
Strengthen your support system by learning how to ask for help, set boundaries, and resolve conflict in healthier ways.
Stay Focused on Recovery
Use strategies like “clear mind” to stay grounded in your goals and avoid decisions that could cause you to veer off course.
Our Approach to DBT
Skill-Building for Everyday Life
You’ll build tools to stay calm under pressure, respond instead of react, and manage relationships in healthier, more effective ways.
Evidence-Backed Framework
Our approach draws from DBT’s core modules, including emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and communication skills to support lasting change.
Woven Into All Levels of Care
DBT is one of several therapies used to create a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan, creating a steady foundation as you move through recovery.
Featured Resources
Explore resources that meet you wherever you are in your journey.
FAQs About DBT for Addiction Treatment
What kinds of addictions can DBT help with?
DBT can help with substance use disorders like alcohol addiction and drug addiction, especially when emotional regulation, impulsivity, or relationship issues play a role.
How is DBT structured?
Each DBT plan includes:
- Individual Therapy: One-on-one sessions to work through your personal challenges and build tailored DBT skills.
- Group Therapy: Supportive group settings where clients learn and practice skills while gaining perspective from others.
- Skills Training: Focused sessions covering DBT’s four core modules—Mindfulness, Distress Tolerance, Emotional Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness.
- Phone Coaching: Between-session support to help apply DBT tools during real-life stress or emotional moments.
Is DBT effective for dual diagnosis?
Yes, DBT is a common part of dual diagnosis treatment. It helps people manage both substance use and mental health conditions together, making it especially effective for dual diagnosis cases involving mood disorders, PTSD, or personality disorders.
How is DBT different from other therapies?
DBT is highly structured and skills-based. It combines mindfulness with tools for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and communication — helping you build stability and make safer choices in real time.
What other types of addiction therapy does Northpoint Recovery offer?
We use a mix of evidence-based therapies to create a treatment plan that fits your needs and goals. Alongside DBT, your treatment plan may include:
Each type of therapy plays a role in helping you build stronger relationships, manage emotions, and stay on track in recovery.
Explore Our Addiction Treatment Options
Inpatient
24/7 care in a structured, supportive environment to focus fully on recovery.
Outpatient
Flexible treatment with daytime or evening sessions while living at home.
Virtual Outpatient
Convenient, online therapy and support from anywhere — no commute needed.