Healing from addiction can be difficult enough, but when you are stuck in the past with negative thoughts swirling through your mind, it can feel next to impossible to move forward in your recovery. Naturally, you might have some regrets regarding addiction and how it impacted you and your loved ones. However, ruminating over past wrongs does nothing to support your sobriety. This is where an acceptance and commitment therapy program comes in.
If you would like to learn more about how acceptance and commitment therapy for addiction works, contact the caring professionals at The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®. We offer addiction therapy for women as part of our comprehensive treatment programs so you can work through the underlying contributors to addiction rather than letting them fester and thwart your progress. Call us today at 828.518.6941 to schedule an intake assessment.
What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy?
Acceptance and commitment therapy, or ACT, is a form of therapy that aims to help people accept certain uncomfortable experiences rather than try to eliminate or avoid them. The idea behind this is that struggling against these painful thoughts and emotions only leads to more suffering. To counteract this, ACT encourages people to embrace these experiences, develop a new perspective, and make choices aligned with their core values.
What Is an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Program?
An acceptance and commitment therapy program typically consists of several components that are designed to facilitate healing and personal growth. These components include:
Acceptance and Commitment
As the name suggests, acceptance and commitment therapy programs encourage you to accept and embrace all emotions. This includes thoughts and feelings that may be painful. By doing so, you can redirect your attention toward actions that align with your values, which will help you lead a more fulfilling life.
Mindfulness
Acceptance and commitment therapy programs emphasize mindfulness. By detaching from thoughts and emotions, you learn how to stay focused on the present moment without judgment. And by accepting what is without attaching meaning to it, you can release the charge behind negative or uncomfortable experiences. As a result, they will no longer hold the same power over you.
Personal Values
Identifying your core values is a crucial aspect of an ACT therapy program. Through self-reflection and guided exercises, you will gain a clear understanding of what truly matters to you, which helps pave the way for meaningful goal-setting and action steps.
How Can Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Addiction Help?
Acceptance and commitment therapy has been proven effective for addiction recovery in several ways:
- Increasing psychological flexibility: This helps you handle cravings, triggers, and stressors more effectively with a lower risk of relapse.
- Improving response to uncomfortable experiences: As you recover, you will face uncomfortable thoughts and emotions. ACT teaches you how to accept, explore, and understand these experiences rather than avoiding them or escaping them through substance use.
- Helping align actions with values: Once you identify your core values, your awareness will help you choose actions that support these values.
- Enhancing mindfulness: Through mindfulness practices, you can stay more present, increase self-awareness, and cultivate self-compassion. These skills will be invaluable in helping you stand strong when encountering cravings and triggers.
As you can see, ACT therapy programs have benefits that serve you well in addiction recovery as well as support overall emotional balance.
Enroll in The Willows at Red Oak Recovery®’s ACT Therapy Program
Are you finding yourself dwelling on negative events from the past regarding addiction? If so, it may be time to consider enrolling in an ACT therapy program. The Willows at Red Oak Recovery® offers a range of therapies and treatments for women ages 18 to 30 who are looking to leave addiction behind for good. To get the compassionate support you need to heal, call us today at 828.518.6941.
