DBT is a structured therapy that builds on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) but is used particularly for people who struggle to manage emotions and have developed unhealthy coping methods.
In DBT, you’ll learn to recognise that you have intense emotions and work on better ways to handle them. This is the crux of DBT: understanding what you are experiencing and the negativity it brings, whilst learning how to change the behaviours that are harming you.
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When people experience emotions, they usually engage in some behaviour. If you struggle to deal with emotions, you can use unhealthy methods to cope, which could lead to substance abuse.
There are many situations and emotions which lead people to alcohol or drugs as a way to cope, including:
DBT can help you recognise the links between these emotional triggers and the unhealthy coping methods. Research has found that DBT is useful for those with substance abuse issues, especially in helping improve responses to impulsivity.
DBT in alcohol and drug rehabs involves learning four key skills.
This involves getting better at identifying emotions, understanding what may trigger them and recognising how they could be influencing your behaviour. You then work on healthier ways to cope with emotions.
Not everything has to be coped with or immediately confronted. DBT can help you become more comfortable with experiencing difficult feelings or situations without losing control and seeking relief through alcohol or drugs.
This is helpful during early recovery, improving your ability to manage cravings and deal with stress. It can help you with interpersonal conflict, as it can reduce your desire to be defensive or stop escalation.
Mindfulness is about being in the present moment, helping you to notice experiences, thoughts, physical sensations and emotions in real time. With this grounding, you might be less likely to focus on the past or future or get mired in negative thoughts, instead focusing on the smell of something or the sound of your breath.
This may help you overcome cravings and urges, directing your attention only to the current moment you are in.
This is about improving your communication, getting better at asking for what you need and building up boundaries. This can help you improve relationships, manage conflict and ask for support when you need it.
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In DBT sessions at Ocean Recovery, you’ll likely focus on recognising the intense emotions you feel and how they relate to thoughts and behavioural patterns. To help begin making healthy behavioural changes, you’ll work on learning practical skills to cope and apply these skills to wider recovery efforts.
DBT for addiction recovery at Ocean Recovery will be part of a personalised treatment pathway that includes other psychological therapies. These sit within a wider programme that includes detoxification (if needed), recovery work and ongoing support.
Your treatment will be reviewed weekly by our multidisciplinary team to monitor your progress, evaluate risks and alter care plans if needed.
We’re extremely proud of our state-of-the-art recovery facilities. They provides a space for residents to have the most relaxing stay possible while still receiving the support they need.
Ocean Recovery Facilities include:
CQC Registered
FREE Transportation Included
Medically Assisted Detoxification
Comfortable Communal Lounge
Beautiful Modern Dining Lounge
External Courtyard and Outside Seating Area
12 Months FREE Aftercare
Regular Contact with Loved Ones Encouraged
Double or Single Bedrooms
Rooms with Ensuite Bathrooms
Lounge Areas with Sky TV and a Piano
Nutritious Dining Facilities and an Outdoor Courtyard
Speak to an advisor today to find out more about the rehabilitation programmes we offer at our drug and alcohol rehab centre
94 Queen's Promenade, Blackpool, FY2 9NS, Blackpool, FY2 9NS
Landline: 01253 847 553
Email: info@oceanrecoverycentre.com
Start your Recovery - Call us nowIf you are participating in dialectical behaviour therapy for addiction treatment, it won’t be the only form of therapy you engage with.
Other therapies that you may do alongside DBT include:
European Pioneer of NAD+ Therapy John has travelled extensively around…
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John Gillen
European Pioneer of NAD+ Therapy
John has travelled extensively around the world, culminating in 19 years’ experience looking at different models. He is the European pioneer of NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide) treatment to Europe in 2010; and recently back from the USA bringing state of the art Virtual Reality Relapse Prevention and stress reduction therapy. His passion extends to other metabolic disturbances and neurodegenerative diseases. The journey continues. In recent times, John has travelled to Russia to study and research into a new therapy photobiomudulation or systemic laser therapy working with NAD+ scientists and the very best of the medical professionals in the UK and the USA, together with Nadcell, Bionad Hospitals own select Doctors, nurses, dieticians and therapists. Johns’ passion continues to endeavour to bring to the UK and Europe new developments with NAD+ Therapy in preventive and restorative medicine and Wellness. In 2017 John Gillen was made a visiting Professor at the John Naisbitt university in Belgrade Serbia.
Madissar has a wealth of experience in a managerial position…
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Madissar Iqbal
Madissar has a wealth of experience in a managerial position within substance misuse for over 20 years, working with offending behaviour and criminal justice. Madissar began his career as a prison officer in 2000 and progressed further in the substance misuse field within the prison settings delivering various short duration programmes and linking prisoners to community-based treatment providers before their release. In 2006 Madissar successfully managed to set up the Drug Intervention Programme within Bedfordshire. This later transpired to successfully securing a service manager role and developing the Drug Rehabilitation Requirement Order. Madissar successfully secured various managerial positions within the substance misuse field with joint partnership working with Integrated Offender Management and police in reducing drug-related offending behaviour. Madissar gained extensive experience and expertise working for several organisations, such as Adapt, Rapt, Addaction, Westminster Drug Project, Hertfordshire Couty Council, NHS and Next Step Support. Madissar holds a diploma in level 5 Leadership and Management and has extensive experience in the senior managerial role. Madissar passion lies in supporting services to achieve their goals and objectives. In the last two years, Madissar progressed further in mental health as a senior managerial role, overseeing residential rehabilitation and supporting living accommodations with adults (18+) with a range of diverse complex needs.
Phil is an experienced and dedicated recovery worker; he has…
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Phil Grimes
Phil is an experienced and dedicated recovery worker; he has been at Ocean Recovery since 2016. He is passionate about helping others transform their lives, having spent 25 years in addiction himself. He has been clean and living his best life since 2008. He is an experienced group facilitator and qualified life coach who uses CBT, NLP and ACT mindfulness relapse prevention techniques, all of which he is qualified in. He has a wealth of experience, having worked with young offenders, homeless, prolific offenders, and complex mental health needs. Phil thrives in the recovery environment and is a passionate, forward-thinking and realistic member of the team.
DBT may be used for alcohol addiction or drug abuse because intense emotional and behavioural difficulties can lead to substance issues.
It can be beneficial for certain people, including those experiencing:
Beginning DBT in rehab can be beneficial for the rest of your recovery journey. It supports relapse prevention because it can help you with recognising emotional triggers, getting better at regulating difficult feelings and developing healthier coping responses when you experience these emotions.
You’ll learn skills to manage distress, tolerate uncomfortable emotions and respond without going back to substance abuse.
This will help in the long term. It should help you improve your awareness in high-risk situations, such as parties or around others using drugs or alcohol, and inform plans you have made as part of your aftercare to cope during these moments.
You should continue to hone the skills you learn during DBT sessions in treatment on the outside, whilst engaging with wider aftercare such as weekly support meetings. When you leave Ocean Recovery, you gain access to a weekly aftercare group for up to 12 months after treatment.
DBT is one of the many therapies available at Ocean Recovery to support your recovery. The treatment you receive will be unique to you, informed by a thorough medical, psychological and physical health assessment. We’ll use this to develop a personalised care plan within 24–48 hours of your admission.
For more information about DBT for addiction and to begin the admissions process, call the team now at 01253 847 553.
Ocean Recovery
- Author
- Last updated: October 19, 2026
Dr. Olalekan Otulana
- Clinical Reviewer
- Last reviewed: October 19, 2026
Dr Otulana started practising as a doctor in 2000 and has been in the field of addiction for over a decade. He is an Advanced Practitioner Member of Addiction Professionals and holds a Part 1 Certificate in Clinical Psychopharmacology from the British Association for Psychopharmacology. He is excellent healthcare service professional with a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from Cambridge University Judge Business School.
Visit Dr Otulana’s Social Profiles:
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/olalekanotulana
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