Acceptance And Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes acceptance in learning to deal with negative feelings, thoughts, symptoms, and circumstances. ACT also encourages a commitment to healthy, constructive behaviors that uphold your values and goals. Through ACT, clients learn to embrace their thoughts and feelings rather than fight them or feel guilty about them. At Mile High Recovery Center in Denver, we know that a cookie-cutter approach to addiction treatment does not work. We offer an array of addiction therapies to meet the many needs of our unique clients.

When you are ready to seek the treatment you need and deserve, reach out to the Mile High Recovery Center team. We will help you learn more about acceptance and commitment therapy for substance use, how it works, and whether or not it might be right for you. Call 303-268-2144 today.

How Does ACT Work?

ACT is behavioral therapy, but unlike cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), ACT does not try to reduce or eliminate negative thinking patterns that influence maladaptive behavior. Instead, ACT helps develop psychological flexibility by combining mindfulness strategies and acceptance to minimize the struggle to control or eliminate these experiences while increasing involvement in meaningful life activities.

ACT uses six core processes to guide clients through therapy and provide a framework for developing psychological flexibility:

  1. Acceptance–Allowing your inner thoughts and feelings, even negative ones, to occur without trying to ignore or change them.
    Cognitive diffusion–The process of separating yourself from your inner thoughts and feelings. This allows you to see your thoughts simply as thoughts, without the meaning your mind gives them.
    Self as context–Learning to see your thoughts about yourself as separate from your actions or behaviors.
    Being present–ACT uses mindfulness practices to encourage you to stay mindful of your surroundings and shift attention away from thoughts and feelings.
    Values–ACT uses tools to help clients live by the values important to them. These values are what motivate action and behavior.
    Commitment–ACT helps clients commit to actions that assist long-term goals and living a life consistent with their values.

 

Mindfulness practices are designed to foster nonjudgmental, healthy awareness of thoughts, feelings, sensations, and memories that you have otherwise avoided. Clients often receive homework assignments between sessions to practice and integrate newly learned skills.

Benefits Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy For Substance Use

The inability to cope with negative thoughts and feelings, both physical and psychological, is a significant factor in developing substance use disorders (SUD). By strengthening psychological flexibility, ACT helps individuals with SUD learn to accept and manage psychological discomfort and pain without turning to maladaptive behaviors like getting drunk or high.

Alcohol and drug use can temporarily relieve negative, painful, or unwanted thoughts and feelings. However, as individuals consistently turn to substance use to cope, they inevitably experience more problems because of their substance use. The skills learned in acceptance and commitment therapy assist individuals during treatment and give them the tools to help prevent relapse following treatment.

Discover ACT For Substance Use In Denver

Substance use disorders (SUD) wreak havoc in the lives of millions of Americans. For many, addiction is a disease accompanied by mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. At Mile High Recovery Center in Denver, we specialize in long-term addiction therapy programs to help you or a loved one break free from the grips of SUD and live a life of recovery.

Because SUD impacts all areas of life, we believe in holistic treatment that addresses your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In addition to ACT, we offer a range of evidence-based therapies, including:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
  • Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Motivational enhancement therapy (MET)
  • Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
  • Equine therapy
  • Group and family therapy

 

Our experienced staff provides clients with compassionate, empathetic support through all phases of treatment and recovery. Located in the Congress Park neighborhood, we believe in the importance of building connections and community. With hundreds of alumni in the surrounding area, we remain strongly connected to the Denver recovery community.

End The Struggle With ACT At Mile High Recovery Center Today

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, reach out to Mile High Recovery Center. Our proven and effective addiction therapy programs in Denver, Colorado, are designed to work with clients until they are whole. Call 303-268-2144 to begin your recovery journey at Mile High Recovery Center.

Begin Outpatient Rehab at Mile High Recovery Center Today

In Denver’s City Center neighborhood, Mile High is here to help you thrive throughout the Denver Metro area. If you or someone you love is ready to take the next steps towards recovery, call us today at 303-268-2144 to learn more about our outpatient programs.