Adolescent DBT Substance Abuse Program

Among the goals of DBT-SUD are to:

• Become more aware of urges to drink or use and tolerate or reduce them
• Increase motivation to stop abusing alcohol or drugs; manage difficult emotions such as anxiety, depression, and anger without alcohol or drugs
• Structure the environment to support substance-free living

SUD-DBT is for those who have co-occurring mental health and substance abuse issues.  Participants strive for dialectical abstinence, being 100 percent clean and sober, yet mindful that a harm reduction model may be necessary.

Some of DBT’s substance-abuse specific behavioral targets include:

• Decreasing abuse of substances, including illicit drugs and legally prescribed drugs taken in a manner not prescribed
• Alleviating physical discomfort associated with abstinence and/or withdrawal
• Avoiding opportunities and cues to abuse, for example by burning bridges to persons, places, and things associated with drug abuse and by destroying the telephone numbers of drug contacts, getting a new telephone number, and throwing away drug paraphernalia
• Increasing community reinforcement of healthy behaviors, such as fostering the development of new friends, rekindling old friendships, pursuing social/vocational activities, and seeking environments that support abstinence and punish behaviors related to drug abuse

The DBT-SUD track will include:

DBT Skills Training Group

Substance Abuse Specific DBT Skills Training

Substance Abuse Psycho-education

Individual DBT Therapy session

Family Therapy as needed.

Individual therapy and as needed phone coaching is provided by clinicians trained in DBT and substance use treatment.  All are credentialed with a mental health license and/or certification as addictions counselors (CAADAC).