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You’ve tried quitting before. Maybe more than once. But every time, the emotions come roaring back — anxiety that won’t let up, anger that blindsides you, or a hollowness so deep that substances feel like the only thing that fills it. Traditional addiction treatment probably told you to ‘just say no’ or work the steps, and that’s fine as far as it goes. But nobody addressed why your emotions feel so unmanageable in the first place.
And here’s what happens when that cycle keeps spinning: each relapse eats away at your confidence. Recovery starts feeling impossible — like a door that’s slowly closing. The people who love you? They’re losing trust. The longer substances stay your go-to for handling feelings, the further you drift from the life you actually want to be living.
We built our program around a different approach. At GPS Counseling, we use methods from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for addiction by going after the root cause: emotional dysregulation. We’re not just focused on getting you to stop using. We teach you real, concrete skills to handle intense emotions, sit with distress, and — this matters most — build a life that’s genuinely worth staying sober for.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy is an evidence-based treatment that targets addiction by teaching you how to manage emotions, tolerate distress, and change destructive behaviors — going after the underlying causes of substance use, not just the symptoms. Psychologist Marsha Linehan developed DBT in the 1980s, originally for people dealing with intense emotional experiences and self-destructive patterns.
Here’s what makes DBT fundamentally different: the dialectical philosophy. It’s a both-and approach. We help you accept that your emotions are valid right now — and at the same time, we teach you healthier ways to respond to them. That balance between acceptance and change? It resolves the internal tug-of-war that keeps addiction locked in place.
Research demonstrates that DBT significantly reduces substance use and improves treatment retention (NIH). Studies show that individuals with substance use disorders who complete DBT experience 50-60% reductions in drug use compared to standard care (NIH). The therapy works because it directly targets emotional dysregulation, which research identifies as a primary driver of addictive behaviors. Think about it this way: when you can’t regulate your emotions on your own, substances become the regulation tool. DBT hands you better tools — ones that actually hold up over time.
The four core DBT modules — mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness — each target specific behaviors that fuel addiction, giving you a full skill set for lasting recovery.
Mindfulness interrupts the automatic thought-to-use pattern that drives relapse. A craving hits, and instead of reacting on autopilot, you learn to observe it. Just notice it. That pause — that space between impulse and action — changes everything. We teach you to see cravings, thoughts, and emotions as temporary experiences passing through, not commands you have to obey. This directly counteracts the impulsivity behind substance use, and honestly, most of our clients say it’s the skill that surprises them most.
Think of distress tolerance skills as your emergency toolkit — the one you grab when emotions or cravings feel absolutely unbearable. We teach specific techniques like TIPP (Temperature, Intense exercise, Paced breathing, Progressive relaxation) to bring down physiological arousal fast, plus distraction skills that get you through acute craving episodes without picking up. Research shows that individuals with strong distress tolerance skills have significantly lower relapse rates (NIH). These aren’t abstract concepts. They’re practical, use-them-right-now strategies.
Emotional regulation gets at the root cause of addiction by lowering your vulnerability to intense emotions before they spiral. We work with you on identifying and labeling emotions accurately (harder than it sounds), understanding your triggers, and putting strategies in place to dial down emotional intensity before it becomes overwhelming. You’ll learn to check the facts about emotional situations, take opposite action when your emotions don’t match reality, and build positive experiences that naturally reduce your baseline distress level. Over time, the emotional fires get smaller — and you’ve got an extinguisher handy regardless.
Relationship conflicts rank among the most common relapse triggers. Not a surprise to anyone who’s been through it. Our interpersonal effectiveness training teaches you to ask for what you need, set boundaries, and handle conflicts without torching your relationships or your self-respect. You’ll learn DEAR MAN for making effective requests, GIVE for maintaining relationships, and FAST for protecting your sense of self-worth.
Unlike traditional addiction treatment that zeroes in on abstinence and behavioral change, DBT addresses the underlying emotional dysregulation driving substance use — which is why it works for people who haven’t had success with conventional approaches.
Traditional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on changing thought patterns and behaviors. Our DBT approach keeps that foundation but layers in acceptance-based strategies and prioritizes emotional regulation skills. Where CBT says ‘change your thinking,’ DBT says ‘accept your emotions AND change your response.’ Big difference. DBT also stands apart from 12-step programs, which offer a spiritual framework and peer support but don’t systematically teach emotion regulation skills. We don’t see these as competing approaches — we complement them. Many of our clients get real benefit from combining DBT with peer support groups.
At GPS Counseling, we integrate DBT with other evidence-based treatments to build thorough care plans. Our approach works alongside medication-assisted treatment, tackling the psychological side while medications handle physical dependence. Research shows that this integrated approach produces better outcomes than any single treatment alone, with studies demonstrating that DBT combined with standard addiction treatment reduces dropout rates by up to 40%.
Yes — DBT is specifically designed to treat co-occurring mental health conditions alongside addiction, making it ideal for dual diagnosis treatment when substance use shows up with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other mental health challenges.
Treating one condition before the other (sequential treatment) tends to backfire. The untreated condition undermines recovery from the treated one. It’s a frustrating loop, and we’ve seen too many clients caught in it before they found us. Our integrated DBT approach breaks that cycle by addressing both at the same time. The same emotional regulation skills that prevent relapse also reduce depression symptoms. Research shows that integrated treatment for dual diagnosis produces 60% better outcomes than sequential treatment (NIH).
We have deep experience with DBT for depression and addiction — the emotional regulation and behavioral activation skills hit depressive symptoms directly while pulling down substance use. For PTSD and substance abuse, our trauma-informed DBT approach helps you process traumatic experiences while managing the cravings and emotional triggers rooted in that trauma. We also work with borderline personality disorder and addiction, anxiety disorders with substance use, and bipolar disorder with addiction. Studies demonstrate that DBT reduces symptoms across all these conditions at the same time (NIH). That’s not a small thing.
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DBT treatment consists of four integrated components — individual therapy, skills training groups, phone coaching, and therapist consultation teams — that work together to give you full support throughout recovery.
Every week, we meet with you for 50-60 minute individual therapy sessions built around applying DBT skills to your specific challenges. This isn’t general talk therapy where you sit on a couch and free-associate. Sessions are structured around your goals and target behaviors. We use diary cards to track your substance use, urges, emotions, and skill use — which helps both of us spot patterns and measure real progress.
Our skills training groups meet weekly for 90-120 minutes and systematically cover the four DBT modules over six months. Groups usually include 6-10 participants, and there’s something powerful about learning alongside others who get it. Research shows that participants who attend skills groups consistently have significantly better outcomes than those receiving only individual therapy (NIH).
Phone coaching is where things get practical in a way most therapies don’t offer. When a craving hits at 9 PM on a Tuesday or a conflict blows up at a family dinner, you can call your therapist for brief, focused coaching on which skills to use right now. Not next week at your appointment. Now. Studies show that phone coaching significantly reduces substance use and increases skill generalization.
Standard DBT programs run 6-12 months, with most clients completing the full skills curriculum in about six months. You’ll attend weekly individual therapy, weekly skills group, and have access to phone coaching throughout. It’s a real commitment — but so is the life you’re building.
Research shows DBT significantly reduces substance use, with studies demonstrating 50-60% reductions in drug use and improved treatment retention compared to standard care — placing it among the most effective evidence-based treatments available for addiction.
Multiple randomized controlled trials back this up. A landmark study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that individuals receiving DBT had significantly greater reductions in substance use at treatment end and maintained those gains at follow-up (NIH). Research specifically examining DBT for opioid dependence showed 64% reduction in drug use and significantly improved treatment retention (NIH). Those aren’t modest numbers.
DBT is particularly effective for people with emotion regulation difficulties, trauma history, or multiple previous treatment failures — exactly the people who often feel like nothing works. Research shows that individuals with co-occurring borderline personality disorder and substance use disorder achieve excellent outcomes with DBT, with studies showing 75% reduction in parasuicidal behaviors and significant decreases in substance use. If you’ve tried other treatments and they haven’t stuck, that doesn’t mean you’re the problem. It might mean you needed a different approach.
Look for therapists with formal DBT training through programs like Behavioral Tech or university-based training institutes, and make sure they offer all four components of DBT — not just ‘DBT-informed’ therapy, which is a watered-down version.
Qualified DBT therapists complete intensive training programs spanning 1-2 years, including didactic instruction, supervised practice, and ongoing consultation. When you’re evaluating providers, ask the hard questions: Did they complete a formal DBT training program? Are they part of a DBT consultation team? Can they actually provide all four treatment components? This matters because the full model — individual therapy, skills group, phone coaching, and consultation team — is what the research supports. Anything less isn’t really DBT.
Most major insurance plans cover DBT when provided by licensed therapists — it’s a recognized evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders and mental health conditions. We accept most insurance plans nationwide and can help you verify coverage and understand your out-of-pocket costs before you start.
You don’t have to keep white-knuckling it through overwhelming emotions and watching relapses pile up. Our full DBT program at GPS Counseling gives you the skills, support, and structure to build lasting recovery. We deliver all four components of evidence-based DBT through therapists with formal training and real experience treating addiction and co-occurring disorders.
Call us now at (209) 758-7477 to talk with a DBT specialist about how our program can help you build the life you want. Or schedule your free consultation to learn more about our approach and verify your insurance coverage. We’re available across all 50 states and accept most insurance plans nationwide.
Restart Your Life at GPS Counseling Center for Addiction Treatment
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GPS Counseling Center for Addiction Treatment, we extend our commitment to our graduates and alumni by offering 42 additional weeks of aftercare.
This program permits weekly drop-in sessions, fostering long-term recovery and stability for our graduates.
Simultaneously, these sessions provide essential guidance and encouragement to new participants embarking on their journey to recovery.
Family therapy provides education and support so family members of loved ones can better understand the role and impact of substance abuse.
Learning how to support a loved one in treatment and after treatment. Addressing issues such as communication, co-dependency, and recognizing how to set boundaries.
Individual Therapy provides an opportunity to develop and modify relapse prevention plans, identify triggers and develop coping skills.
Sessions are designed to support clients as they work on the identification and resolution of alcohol and or substance-related problems.
Exploring personal barriers, behaviors, and or challenges in the way of recovery. Uncovering the underlying roots of substance abuse addiction.
At GPS Counseling Center for Addiction Treatment Intensive Outpatient Program group therapy is the primary mode of treatment. Group therapy allows participants to step out of the shadows of shame, secrecy, and isolation and develop a level of community among fellow participants.
Participants who take part in group therapy sessions can improve their communication skills and build connections with other people who are also working to recover from addictions.
Group therapy reinforces mindfulness and healthy ways of interacting and relapse prevention. Allowing participants to learn from the experiences and perspectives of other people. Those that are newer to recovery noticeably benefit from those who have been sober longer.
