When trying to recover from a substance abuse disorder, physical detox, while essential, should not be the only focus of your addiction therapy program. Getting to the root causes of addiction through implementing various therapies should always be part of treatment. Effective therapy for addiction recovery is acceptance and commitment therapy, or ACT. ACT is a type of therapy that helps patients accept what is out of their control and act in a way that enriches their lives.
If you are looking for acceptance and commitment therapy in Ohio, Genesis Recovery and Wellness (GROW) offers ACT in conjunction with a wide variety of detox and recovery programs. Our LGBTQ-friendly facility provides a safe and judgment-free environment where patients can receive quality support from our compassionate staff. Call us at 216.331.2998 today to learn more about what we can offer.
What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?
ACT is an empirically based psychiatric intervention emphasizing mindfulness and acceptance to deal with negative triggers. It is combined with commitment and behavior-change strategies to develop psychological flexibility. The goal of ACT is to remove the struggle of trying to control or avoid negative experiences and to create a more compassionate relationship with these experiences instead.
Acceptance and commitment therapy is based on six core principles. These principles are:
- Acceptance – Patients are taught to accept intense emotions and not suppress or avoid them.
- Cognitive defusion – Patients are encouraged to objectively separate themselves from their inner experiences to assess their thoughts and feelings.
- Being present in the moment – ACT reminds patients to be mindful of the now and to focus on their environment instead of on the past or worrying about the future.
- The observing self – Through this principle, patients are taught to observe their thoughts and emotions, so they are not overwhelmed or afraid. They learn that these feelings are separate from their actions.
- Values – Patients are asked to identify what is most important to them. They will then be helped to steer their behaviors consistent with their values.
- Committed action – Patients are then coached to take effective action so that they can behave in a way that is guided by and working towards their values and goals.
What is the Benefit of ACT in Therapy and Addiction Recovery?
ACT, when used as a therapy in an addiction recovery program, is beneficial in maintaining recovery. Patients are taught to accept cravings and urges and to respond to them more positively. They are not overwhelmed by the idea of relapse or being triggered; instead, they accept it as an event that can occur, but one that they can manage or respond to more healthily.
Here are some of the positive results that are possible when using ACT in addiction treatment:
- Having a healthier, sober lifestyle that involves activities that are not related to substance use
- An improved ability to accept feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations without the need to use substances
- An increased capacity to manage and tolerate urges to use substances
- An awareness of any co-occurring disorders and treating them as needed
- Having psychological flexibility, which can help them choose positive reactions to negative experiences
- An increasing likelihood of lifelong sobriety
- Focusing on long-term goals by identifying and working on values that lead to addiction recovery and a healthier life
Begin an ACT Program in Ohio at Genesis Recovery and Wellness
GROW’s facility is conveniently located in Middleburg, Ohio. Our outpatient, intensive, and partial hospitalization programs cater to each patient’s unique needs. We offer a variety of treatment programs that use evidence-based therapies to ensure a successful recovery and long-term sobriety.
GROW works with most private insurance plans to provide quality treatment to more patients. However, we do not accept Medicaid or Medicare. If you are unsure about your insurance coverage, our admissions counselors can help you verify eligibility. Contact us at 216.331.2998 today to begin your journey towards recovery.