Are you struggling to overcome the pain of addiction and mental health challenges, feeling trapped by your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors? You’re not alone. Many people seeking recovery feel stuck, unsure of how to break free from the patterns that have kept them locked in suffering.
What if there was a therapy that didn’t just help you fight against your negative thoughts but taught you how to accept them and move forward with your life anyway? Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a powerful, evidence-based approach that does just that. By focusing on accepting your experiences and committing to positive action, ACT helps you create a life that aligns with your deepest values, even when facing difficult emotions and urges.
With ACT, you don’t need to eliminate your pain to live a fulfilling life—you can learn to live alongside it. At DeNovo Recovery, we incorporate ACT into our addiction treatment programs, providing you with the tools to build resilience, enhance emotional flexibility, and commit to a healthier, more purpose-driven life.
If you’re ready to embrace change and take the next step toward recovery, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy at DeNovo Recovery can guide you there. Reach out to our team today and discover how ACT can transform your path to healing.
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that emphasizes accepting one’s thoughts and feelings rather than fighting or feeling guilty about them. Developed in the 1980s by psychologist Steven C. Hayes, ACT is grounded in the belief that avoiding or suppressing difficult experiences often leads to more suffering. Instead, ACT encourages individuals to accept what is out of their personal control while committing to actions that align with their values.
ACT is part of a broader category known as “third-wave” behavioral therapies, which also includes therapies like Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). What sets ACT apart is its focus on helping individuals live more meaningful lives by embracing their internal experiences instead of trying to change them.
The Six Core Processes of ACT
ACT is built around six core processes, each of which plays a crucial role in promoting psychological flexibility—the ability to stay in the present moment and adapt to life’s challenges without being overwhelmed by them. These processes include:
- Acceptance: Learning to embrace thoughts and feelings without trying to change or avoid them.
- Cognitive Defusion: Developing a different relationship with thoughts, seeing them as just thoughts, rather than absolute truths.
- Being Present: Staying mindful of the current moment, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
- Self-as-Context: Understanding that there is more to you than just your thoughts and feelings; you are the observer of these experiences.
- Values Clarification: Identifying what is most important to you and what you want your life to stand for.
- Committed Action: Taking concrete steps towards living in accordance with your values, even in the face of discomfort.
How ACT Works in Addiction Treatment
In the context of addiction treatment, ACT offers a unique approach to helping individuals manage cravings, deal with difficult emotions, and avoid relapse. Rather than focusing solely on eliminating substance use, ACT encourages clients to recognize the thoughts, feelings, and urges that drive their behavior and to develop a new way of responding to them.
1. Acceptance and Addiction
In addiction recovery, accepting the presence of cravings and urges without immediately acting on them is crucial. ACT teaches individuals that they don’t have to respond to every craving with substance use. By accepting these urges as temporary and tolerable, clients can resist the impulse to use and instead focus on what truly matters to them—whether it’s repairing relationships, pursuing a career, or maintaining their health.
2. Cognitive Defusion and Negative Thoughts
Addiction often comes with a barrage of negative thoughts, such as “I’m a failure” or “I’ll never get better.” ACT helps individuals to distance themselves from these thoughts, seeing them as just words rather than facts. This process, known as cognitive defusion, reduces the power of negative thinking and makes it easier to focus on positive actions.
3. Mindfulness and Being Present
Mindfulness is at the heart of ACT. By cultivating awareness of the present moment, clients can better manage stress, cravings, and other triggers. Mindfulness practices help individuals observe their thoughts and feelings without becoming entangled in them, allowing them to respond to situations more thoughtfully and less reactively.
4. Self-Identity Beyond Addiction
ACT encourages individuals to view themselves as more than their addiction. This shift in perspective is vital for long-term recovery, as it allows clients to detach from an identity centered around substance use and instead see themselves as capable, whole individuals with the power to shape their future.
5. Values-Driven Recovery
Understanding personal values is essential in ACT. Clients are guided to identify what truly matters to them—be it family, health, career, or creativity—and to use these values as a compass for recovery. When actions are driven by values, rather than by the desire to avoid discomfort, recovery becomes a meaningful and sustainable journey.
6. Committed Action and Long-Term Success
The ultimate goal of ACT in addiction treatment is to help clients take committed action. This means setting goals that align with their values and following through on those commitments, even when faced with obstacles. By focusing on actionable steps, ACT provides a clear pathway to lasting recovery.
The Benefits of ACT for Addiction and Mental Health
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy offers numerous benefits for individuals struggling with addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders:
- Increased Psychological Flexibility: ACT enhances your ability to adapt to life’s challenges without being overwhelmed by them.
- Reduced Cravings and Triggers: By accepting cravings without acting on them, ACT helps you maintain sobriety.
- Improved Emotional Regulation: ACT teaches you how to manage difficult emotions, making it easier to stay focused on your recovery goals.
- Greater Resilience: With ACT, you learn to view setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than failures, fostering resilience in your recovery journey.
- Enhanced Sense of Purpose: ACT encourages you to live a life aligned with your values, giving you a stronger sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Integrating ACT into DeNovo Recovery’s Treatment Programs
At DeNovo Recovery, we believe in a holistic approach to addiction treatment that addresses the mind, body, and spirit. Our integration of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy into our IOP, OP, and PHP programs allows clients to benefit from this innovative therapy in a structured, supportive environment.
Whether you’re dealing with substance use, co-occurring mental health disorders, or both, ACT can provide the tools you need to build a life worth living. Our experienced therapists will work with you to explore your values, practice mindfulness, and commit to positive actions that support your recovery.
Take the Next Step Toward Lasting Recovery
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is more than just a treatment—it’s a path to a more meaningful and fulfilling life. By embracing your experiences and committing to actions that align with your values, you can move beyond the grip of addiction and mental health challenges. At DeNovo Recovery, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
If you’re ready to explore how ACT can support your recovery journey, contact our team today. Let’s work together to build a brighter, healthier future for you and your loved ones.