Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) in Addiction Treatment
Building emotional strength for lasting sobriety.
At Oasis Treatment Centers, we recognize that managing intense emotions and navigating interpersonal struggles are essential parts of long-term recovery.
That’s why we offer Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)—a powerful, evidence-based approach that helps clients develop the tools to regulate emotions, build healthier relationships, and maintain sobriety.
What Is DBT?
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a structured form of therapy that combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness practices. Originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder, DBT has proven highly effective for individuals struggling with substance use disorders, trauma, depression, anxiety, and other co-occurring mental health conditions.
The core idea of DBT is learning to hold two seemingly opposite ideas at once—such as accepting yourself as you are, while also working toward meaningful change.
How DBT Supports Addiction Recovery
Addiction often stems from the inability to cope with painful emotions or manage distressing situations. DBT provides clients with practical, real-life tools to handle emotional discomfort without turning to drugs or alcohol. In the context of SUD treatment.
DBT helps clients:
DBT’s structured skill sets give individuals the internal framework to handle life’s ups and downs without falling back into old patterns of substance use.
DBT at Oasis Treatment Centers
At Oasis, DBT is incorporated into both individual therapy and group sessions, depending on each client’s treatment plan. Our therapists are trained in DBT strategies and provide a supportive, nonjudgmental environment where clients can learn and practice skills for real-world recovery.
Contact UsExamples of DBT-Based Group Topics
Our DBT groups focus on the four key skill areas taught in DBT therapy:
Mindfulness
- Cultivating present-moment awareness
- Reducing impulsivity and emotional reactivity
- Increasing focus and self-acceptance
Distress Tolerance
- Learning how to manage crisis situations without self-destructive behaviors
- Practicing grounding techniques
- Using safe alternatives to cope with intense emotions
Emotional Regulation
- Understanding emotional triggers
- Identifying and naming emotions
- Creating healthy responses to emotional pain
Interpersonal Effectiveness
- Learning assertive communication
- Setting healthy boundaries
- Navigating relationships without conflict or manipulation
Other DBT group topics at Oasis may include
- “How to Sit with Emotional Pain”
- “Managing Cravings Through Radical Acceptance”
- “Using the STOP Skill to Pause Before Reacting”
- “Coping Ahead for High-Risk Situations”
- “Building a Life Worth Living in Recovery”
Why DBT Works at Oasis
At Oasis Treatment Centers, we integrate DBT into our programs because it offers tangible tools and structure for clients who may feel overwhelmed or emotionally dysregulated. Whether you’re dealing with trauma, co-occurring mental health disorders, or emotional instability that fuels addiction, DBT helps create the foundation for long-term stability and healing.
We believe that recovery isn’t just about abstinence—it’s about building the emotional resilience to live fully and freely without substances.
Find Balance in Recovery
DBT empowers you to live with intention, manage emotions skillfully, and build stronger
relationships with yourself and others. If you or a loved one could benefit from structured
emotional support, Oasis Treatment Centers is here to help.
📞 Call us today to learn more about our DBT programs and comprehensive addiction
treatment services in Orange County, California.