Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in Marietta, Georgia

In metro Atlanta, substance use and mental health challenges are rising among men, yet many hesitate to seek help due to stigma or pressures to appear strong.

At Hand in Hand Recovery Center, we understand these unique struggles and provide a safe, judgment-free space where men can heal, grow, and reclaim their lives.

Our Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in Marietta, Georgia, is designed to meet the specific needs of men facing addiction, dual diagnosis, and emotional distress, empowering them with the skills needed for lasting recovery and well-being.

Why Choose Gender-Specific DBT Treatment?

Men often face distinct barriers on the road to recovery. Societal expectations around masculinity can make it challenging to express vulnerability or ask for support, leading to unaddressed symptoms and emotional isolation.

At Hand in Hand Recovery Center, our men’s program creates an environment where clients can openly discuss their challenges and receive support that resonates with their experiences.

Gender-specific treatment improves outcomes, fostering a sense of camaraderie and understanding essential for meaningful progress.

Understanding Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

DBT is an evidence-based form of cognitive-behavioral therapy designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, develop practical coping skills, and improve relationships.

Originally developed to treat borderline personality disorder, DBT has proven highly effective for a range of mental health issues and substance use disorders.

By blending mindfulness, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, DBT empowers men to navigate life’s challenges, reduce self-destructive behaviors, and achieve greater emotional balance.

The Four Core Skills of DBT

• Mindfulness: Learn to observe thoughts and emotions without judgment, recognize cravings, and stay present-focused—these are key to avoiding impulsive substance use.
  
  
• Distress Tolerance: Build resilience to withstand crises and emotional pain without resorting to drugs or alcohol, using practical crisis survival and self-soothing techniques.
  
  
• Emotional Regulation: Identify and manage difficult emotions, reduce vulnerability to triggers, and foster positive emotional experiences.
  
  
• Interpersonal Effectiveness: Strengthen communication, set healthy boundaries, and repair or build supportive relationships, which are crucial for sustained recovery.

How DBT Supports Recovery for Men

DBT is especially effective for men struggling with substance use, co-occurring mental health conditions, and the emotional fallout of trauma.

Here’s how our DBT program at Hand in Hand Recovery Center makes a difference:

• Reduced Substance Use: DBT equips men with tools to manage cravings, avoid relapse, and sustain sobriety.
  
  
• Improved Emotional Regulation: Clients learn to handle intense emotions without turning to substances, breaking the cycle of addiction.
  
  
• Enhanced Distress Tolerance: Men gain the ability to cope with stress and setbacks, increasing resilience during early recovery and beyond.
  
  
• Better Relationships: Improved communication and boundary-setting foster healthier connections with family, friends, and peers.
  
  
• Decreased Self-Destructive Behaviors: DBT reduces tendencies toward self-harm and impulsivity, supporting overall mental health.
  
  
• Greater Mindfulness and Self-Awareness: Increased awareness helps men identify triggers and make conscious choices, rather than reacting automatically to emotional pain.

What to Expect in Our DBT Program

At Hand in Hand Recovery Center, DBT is integrated across all levels of care, including day treatment, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs. Our approach includes:

• Individual Therapy involves one-on-one sessions with a trained DBT therapist to address personal challenges, set goals, and build motivation for change.
  
  
• Skills Training Groups are structured sessions where men learn and practice DBT skills together, building a supportive network.

• Family Involvement and education repair relationships and build a strong support system.
  
  
• Helping Men Recover is a gender-responsive, trauma-informed treatment program specifically designed for men dealing with substance use disorders. The program typically includes structured group sessions and covers topics such as self, relationships, sexuality, and spirituality.
  
  
• Matrix Relapse Prevention is a component of the broader Matrix Model, an evidence-based treatment approach for individuals with substance use disorders. The Relapse Prevention part of the Matrix Model focuses on helping individuals recognize triggers, understand the relapse process, and develop strategies to prevent relapse.

• Experiential Therapy is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes learning through doing and experiencing, rather than just talking about issues. It aims to help individuals address emotional and psychological challenges by engaging in activities that evoke feelings and insights.
  
  
• Anger Management typically involves identifying triggers for anger, learning relaxation techniques, developing communication skills, and practicing problem-solving strategies. The goal is to reduce the intensity and frequency of anger outbursts, improve emotional regulation, and enhance interpersonal relationships.
  
  
• Accountability and Recovery mean taking responsibility for one’s actions, acknowledging the harm caused to oneself and others, and making amends. Accountability also includes establishing clear boundaries, setting goals, and being transparent with a support network.
  
  
• Mindfulness and Meditation are practices that involve focusing attention on the present moment without judgment. Mindfulness encourages awareness of thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise, while meditation provides structured techniques for cultivating this awareness.
  
  
• Adventures in Nature Therapy, also known as wilderness therapy or ecotherapy, involves using outdoor experiences and natural environments to promote healing and personal growth. Activities may include hiking, camping, rock climbing, or simply spending time in nature.
  
  
• Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses creative methods, such as drawing, painting, sculpting, and collage, to help individuals explore their emotions, improve self-awareness, and resolve psychological issues. It provides a non-verbal means of expression, allowing clients to communicate feelings that may be difficult to articulate verbally.

DBT for Dual Diagnosis and Co-Occurring Disorders

For men facing both addiction and mental health concerns- a combination known as dual diagnosis- DBT offers a comprehensive solution. By addressing emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and interpersonal difficulties, DBT helps men manage both substance use and underlying mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and more.

These conditions can interact and exacerbate each other, making diagnosis and treatment more complex.

Here are some common examples:

• Depression and Alcohol Use Disorder: Individuals may use alcohol to self-medicate symptoms of depression, which can lead to dependence and worsen depressive symptoms over time.
  
  
• Anxiety Disorders and Opioid Use Disorder: Anxiety can drive individuals to seek relief through opioids, leading to addiction and further complicating anxiety management.
  
  
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Substance Use Disorder: Trauma survivors may turn to substances to cope with distressing memories and emotions, increasing the risk of addiction and hindering trauma recovery.
  
  
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Stimulant Use Disorder: Individuals with ADHD may misuse stimulants to improve focus and concentration, leading to dependence and potential adverse effects.
  
  
• Bipolar Disorder and Substance Use Disorder: Mood swings associated with bipolar disorder can be intensified by substance use, making it harder to stabilize mood and manage the disorder effectively.
  
  
• Schizophrenia and Substance Use Disorder: Substance use can worsen psychotic symptoms and interfere with medication adherence, leading to poorer outcomes for individuals with schizophrenia.

Effective treatment for co-occurring disorders typically involves an integrated approach that addresses both the mental health and substance use issues simultaneously. This may include medication, therapy, support groups, and lifestyle changes.

Begin Your Recovery Journey Today

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or co-occurring mental health issues, know that recovery is possible, and you don’t have to face it alone. At Hand in Hand Recovery Center, our compassionate team is dedicated to helping men build the skills and confidence needed for lasting change.

Take the first step toward a healthier, more fulfilling life. Reach out to Hand in Hand Recovery Center today at (470) 280-2791 to learn more about our Dialectical Behavioral Therapy program and start your journey to recovery.