How DBT Skills Can Help with Substance Dependency
Substance dependency is complex. It’s never just about the substance — it’s about emotional pain, trauma, coping, and survival. That’s why effective treatment needs to go beyond just stopping the substance. It’s about building a life worth living — and that’s exactly where DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) skills come in.
What is DBT?
DBT is a skills-based therapy that helps people manage intense emotions, handle distress, improve relationships, and make values-based decisions. Originally developed for people with borderline personality disorder, it has since become a powerful tool for a wide range of issues — including substance use disorders.
DBT teaches four core sets of skills:
Mindfulness – staying present and grounded
Distress Tolerance – surviving crisis moments without making things worse
Emotion Regulation – identifying and managing emotions in healthy ways
Interpersonal Effectiveness – setting boundaries and communicating needs
Why DBT Works for Substance Dependency
1. It addresses the emotional pain that drives substance use
Many people use substances to numb feelings, cope with trauma, or manage overwhelming stress. DBT helps build healthier emotional coping strategies, so that the urge to use becomes less intense and less frequent over time.
2. It helps with urges and cravings
DBT teaches you to recognize urges without acting on them. Using distress tolerance tools, you learn to ride out the wave of a craving — to feel it, but not feed it. That’s a powerful shift.
3. It reduces impulsive and self-destructive behavior
Impulsivity is common in substance use. DBT teaches people how to pause, reflect, and act intentionally — rather than reacting in the heat of the moment. This is key for preventing relapse and making healthier choices.
4. It supports long-term recovery
Recovery isn’t a one-time decision — it’s a thousand little decisions every day. DBT offers practical, repeatable tools that people can keep using for years. It also builds self-awareness, compassion, and confidence, which are essential for sustained recovery.
DBT Doesn’t Replace Other Treatments — It Complements Them
DBT can work alongside other forms of support like medication, rehab, 12-step programs, and trauma therapy. It’s especially useful for people who:
Feel overwhelmed by emotions
Struggle with relationships
Experience intense urges or relapses
Want a structured and practical approach to staying sober
You're Not Alone — And Recovery is Possible
I offer DBT skills training specifically designed for people navigating substance dependency. These groups are judgment-free, skills-focused, and grounded in real-life support. If you're looking for a different way forward — one that’s grounded in both compassion and practical tools — DBT might be the missing piece.
👉 Learn more about our upcoming group here, or get in touch if you’d like to chat.
Author: Dr Michelle Beukes-King
