Many individuals in rehabilitation struggle to make lifestyle changes that promote healthy thoughts and behaviors. Driftwood Recovery uses multiple evidence-based and complementary therapies to help clients address mental health issues impacting their sobriety and overall wellness. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an effective treatment option for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and dual diagnosis.
ACT at Driftwood Recovery: A Path to Sustainable Mental Health and Addiction Recovery
Acceptance and commitment therapy focuses on changing how people view themselves and their thoughts. Instead of being ashamed of past actions or thoughts, ACT teaches people to make decisions that align with their goal of ongoing sobriety. Accepting thoughts and feelings without judgment or acting on them allows clients to develop healthy coping skills. ACT and other forms of therapy provide clients with a path to positive mental health and addiction recovery.
What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?
Acceptance and commitment therapy provide clients with a new way of looking at their circumstances. According to Neurotherapeutics, “ACT rests on the fundamental premise that pain, grief, disappointment, illness, and anxiety are inevitable features of human life, with the therapeutic goal of helping individuals productively adapt to these types of challenges by developing greater psychological flexibility rather than engaging in counterproductive attempts to eliminate or suppress undesirable experiences.”
ACT plays an essential role in substance abuse and addiction treatment by doing the following:
- Promoting psychological flexibility by encouraging clients to accept difficult emotions instead of trying to avoid or repress them
- Encouraging mindfulness and helping clients remain self-aware during challenging situations
- Improving emotion regulation by teaching skills for managing intense emotions
- Assisting clients in accepting difficult experiences and moving forward with healing
- Strengthening commitment to change by reinforcing the importance of acting on principles and values
Acceptance and commitment therapy enhances mental health and emotional well-being by helping people find healthy ways to forgive themselves, practice self-compassion, and build a healthier future.
Integrating ACT With Other Therapies
Treatment programs at Driftwood Recovery integrate ACT with other therapies and support services, including:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Family therapy
- Play therapy
- Other forms of counseling
People build more effective stress management strategies for coping with anxiety, mood disorders, and other mental health issues if they engage in multiple treatment modalities. Driftwood Recovery offers tailored programs designed around the needs and preferences of each client, integrating evidence-based and holistic therapies to create a whole-person approach to care.
ACT for Chronic Pain and Mental Health
Chronic pain is a common underlying cause of substance abuse. People living with constant pain may use alcohol or drugs to self-medicate, leading to addiction. Misusing prescription painkillers may also lead to dependency and addiction. Treatment programs must address co-occurring chronic pain to ensure a healthy recovery.
Therapy allows clients to develop healthier coping skills for managing chronic conditions. According to the Journal of Pain Research, “ACT is a process-based therapy that fosters openness, awareness, and engagement through a wide range of methods, including exposure-based and experiential methods, metaphors, and values clarification.” The techniques taught to clients participating in ACT can reduce the side effects of chronic pain and help clients achieve recovery goals. “Acceptance and values-based action are associated with better functioning in individuals with chronic pain.” Driftwood Recovery uses ACT and other therapeutic modalities to address chronic pain during rehabilitation.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Action: Driftwood Recovery’s Community Integration Program
The community integration program (CIP) at Driftwood Recovery uses the principles of acceptance and commitment therapy to help clients and their families prepare for ongoing recovery. ACT techniques allow clients to create effective strategies for managing SUD and dual diagnosis. Individuals who participate in our CIP often benefit from individual or group ACT sessions. The community integration program gives clients a safe space to continue receiving support and accountability while transitioning to the next stage of recovery.
Benefits of ACT in Managing Mental Health and Addiction
Rigid thought patterns are one of the most common causes of setbacks in recovery. People often have a black-and-white view of morality, recovery, and their own self-image. Gray areas may feel uncomfortable, and many clients try to avoid them whenever possible. ACT allows people to take a more flexible approach to processing their thoughts and feelings.
Acceptance and commitment therapy provides many benefits to individuals in recovery. The principles and techniques taught through ACT allow people to move forward by accepting their circumstances and committing to healthy changes.
Some of the benefits of acceptance and commitment therapy include:
- Creating a focus on core values by helping clients identify and pursue meaningful goals
- Encouraging emotional acceptance of circumstances
- Teaching mindfulness skills to manage cravings and other symptoms
- Making it easier for clients to adapt and enhance psychological flexibility
- Providing tools for managing stress triggers
- Encouraging self-forgiveness
Driftwood Recovery uses ACT to help clients change their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Relapse Prevention at Driftwood Recovery
ACT is one of the tools Driftwood Recovery uses to help clients learn essential coping skills and relapse prevention strategies. We prioritize compassionate care and personalized treatment to ensure every client feels confident in their ability to overcome challenges in treatment and aftercare. ACT can have a long-term positive impact on mental health and addiction recovery.
Acceptance and commitment therapy give clients the tools they need to regain control of their lives by making essential lifestyle changes. To learn more about the treatment programs and services at Driftwood Recovery, call us today at (512) 759-8330.
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