Rehab Centers That Offer Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Addiction treatment comes in many forms and often involves the use of several treatment services. One addiction treatment option that is currently growing in popularity is acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT).

ACT is an evidence-based psychotherapy method used in mental health and addiction treatment that focuses on acceptance and mindfulness. ACT is based on the foundations of traditional talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Keep reading to learn more about ACT including how it works, what types of addiction it can treat, what to expect in ACT sessions, and more.

ACT focuses on six core principles: acceptance, cognitive defusion, being present, self as context, values, and committed action.

The first process you may focus on in ACT is acceptance. This principle is all about accepting and acknowledging your thoughts and feelings rather than ignoring or trying to change them. Whether your thoughts and feelings are negative, positive, or somewhere in between, the idea is to create a non-judgmental mindset around them.

Cognitive defusion is another core principle you’ll focus on in ACT. Cognitive defusion is all about separating yourself from your negative thoughts and feelings. This principle focuses on changing the way you react to your thoughts to reduce the distress they may cause.

Several techniques can help cultivate cognitive defusion including:

• Singing your thoughts
• Imagining your thoughts floating away
• Observing your thoughts without judgment

Another important principle of ACT is being present and mindful. ACT emphasizes the importance of being present in the moment and mindful of your surroundings to help you process thoughts and feelings without judgment. Being present can help you stay grounded and promote behavioral change when confronted with negative thoughts or feelings in the future.

ACT also focuses on the concept of self as context. This means focusing on your identity and self as separate from your thoughts and feelings. By recognizing that your thoughts and feelings are temporary, you can also acknowledge that you are not your thoughts and they do not define you.

During ACT, it’s vital to also identify your personal values and make changes to uphold those values. By identifying your values and morals, you may feel more motivated to make the changes necessary to recover from addiction.

The last core principle you’ll encounter in ACT is committed action. Committed action is all about actually taking steps to make a change. This can be done by setting goals, developing new skills, and putting the above principles into practice to move closer to your values.

All in all, the six core principles of ACT help individuals make behavioral changes and see changes in their reactions and emotional states. Integrating mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies helps to foster psychological flexibility – the idea that individuals can accept and cope with difficult situations and emotions while remaining true to their values.

There are countless benefits to ACT in addiction treatment. ACT as part of a comprehensive treatment plan can help encourage positive treatment outcomes and long-term sobriety.

One common benefit of ACT is learning the ability to accept cravings and urges related to your addiction but not act on them. Rather than trying to ignore your cravings, ACT encourages accepting and acknowledging these feelings and choosing not to fulfill them via substance abuse. This can help individuals through withdrawal and triggers in the future.

ACT places importance on identifying one’s values and living a values-driven life. This can be beneficial to achieving sobriety and maintaining long-term sobriety in people with substance use disorders (SUDs). When you have values to uphold and work toward, it can be easier to stay focused and motivated on your recovery journey.

Another benefit you may notice with ACT is the reduction of avoidance behaviors and emotional distress related to negative thoughts and feelings. In the long term, avoidance behaviors and distress can worsen addiction and substance abuse patterns. Because ACT teaches acceptance and cognitive defusion, individuals can learn to notice their negative thoughts and feelings and move on from them rather than spiraling.

There are many positive outcomes associated with ACT including improved psychological flexibility, improved self-awareness, and improved self-compassion. All of these outcomes can help encourage long-lasting recovery and help individuals live a more meaningful life.

In addition to being used in standard addiction treatment programs, ACT is also often used in dual diagnosis treatment. Dual diagnosis treatment is a rehab approach that simultaneously treats addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders.

It’s very common for individuals with SUDs to also have mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, etc. Mental illnesses can exacerbate addiction, be a symptom of addiction, or even be the root cause of addiction.

ACT as part of a dual diagnosis program can help treat co-occurring disorders in addition to SUDs as the core principles can teach individuals to cope with the symptoms of their mental health disorders.

Sometimes, ACT is used in combination with behavioral therapies such as CBT and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for a more comprehensive treatment approach. Combining the use of these therapy approaches can expand the variety of coping strategies an individual has in their back pocket, improving outcomes.

Once you decide ACT is the right treatment approach for yourself or a loved one, you’ll need to find a rehab facility that offers it. There are a few steps you can take to simplify the process and several considerations to keep in mind during your search.

First and foremost, you’ll want to verify that any addiction treatment centers you are considering offer ACT. This information may be available on their website, but you may want to call to confirm with staff.

Another consideration you should keep in mind is to look for treatment facilities with appropriate, well-experienced staff like licensed therapists to provide ACT. Other things to look out for are recovery centers that offer holistic treatment approaches and personalized therapy plans, both of which can lead to improved treatment outcomes.

We also recommend checking out client reviews and testimonials when considering your options. This can help you get an idea of what the patient experience is like.

There are a few ways you can look for treatment centers. If you’ve received a diagnosis from your healthcare provider, you may consider asking them for treatment center referrals. If you’re interested in ACT in particular, they may be able to refer you to rehab facilities that specifically offer the service.

On your own, you may consider using resources like our lists of top rehab centers in each state. Each list entry contains contact information, treatment options, and payment options for your convenience.

Other great resources include the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) treatment locator, which allows you to filter results by treatment types, and the NIH National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) search engine.

When calling recovery facilities, don’t be afraid to ask any outstanding questions you may have such as:

• Do you offer ACT?
• Do you offer dual diagnosis treatment?
• Do you offer personalized treatment plans?
• What are your visitor restrictions?
• How will my treatment plan be developed?
• What aftercare support do you offer?
• Is your program inpatient or outpatient?
• What certifications and licenses do your staff have?
• What are your payment options?
• How long is your treatment program?
• Do you offer payment assistance?
• Do you offer any amenities?
• What do your housing arrangements look like? Will I be sharing a room?

While we’ve focused on the role of ACT in the treatment of substance addictions, it’s important to note that ACT can treat a wide variety of addictions.

As mentioned previously, ACT is successful in treating substance addictions such as alcohol use disorder (AUD), illicit drug addictions, and prescription drug addictions.

Another common type of addiction ACT can help treat is behavioral addiction. These can include gambling addictions, food addictions, internet addictions, shopping addictions, and sex addictions.

As mentioned above, it’s not uncommon for ACT to be used in combination with other therapies in addiction treatment. Utilizing a comprehensive treatment plan can be immensely beneficial for many individuals and increase the likelihood of positive outcomes.

Many times, ACT is implemented alongside CBT and DBT, both of which are behavioral therapies. CBT is a type of talk therapy that focuses on changing and challenging thought patterns and behavior patterns that worsen addiction. DBT, which is derived from CBT, is a type of talk therapy that focuses on accepting and feeling safe experiencing intense thoughts and emotions.

Because ACT shares some similarities with CBT and DBT, but also retains key differences, many individuals find receiving a combination of therapies to be more helpful than receiving just one.

ACT can also enhance other treatment approaches like 12-step programs and holistic therapies. When it comes to 12-step programs, some of the key steps include acceptance and identifying one’s values and morals, which go hand-in-hand with the key principles of ACT.

On the other hand, because ACT focuses greatly on mindfulness and being in the present moment, it can complement many alternative therapies like yoga, art therapy, breathwork, music therapy, animal therapy, acupuncture, and more.

So what actually happens in an ACT session in rehab? Well, it can differ a bit between facilities, but let’s explore a general overview of what your session might look like.

During your first session, you’ll focus on discussing your history with addiction and clarifying your goals and values. From then on, sessions will focus on implementing the key principles to connect with your goals and live a value-oriented life.

A standard session may involve reviewing the previous week between sessions to analyze any patterns and behaviors that arose and practicing mindfulness exercises to support the six key principles of ACT.

You may focus on practices like role-playing, prioritizing acceptance and being present, and value-driven goal setting.

During a session, you’ll be encouraged to face and accept your thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and cravings that may be causing you distress. This will teach you acceptance and how to separate yourself as an individual from your internal experiences.

There are many ways you can get help from a treatment center that offers ACT.

First and foremost, you’ll want to contact rehab centers for a consultation. This can help you and the recovery center identify if you’re the right fit for the treatment they offer. They may ask questions about your history with addiction, any previous addiction treatment you’ve received, your goals in recovery, and more.

Another important factor to consider when seeking ACT is cost. It’s important to ask a treatment facility what their payment options are for ACT. If you have health insurance, it’s important to ensure that the facility you choose accepts your insurance provider. In addition to that, you’ll want to contact your insurance company to review your benefits and go over any prerequisites they may require for coverage such as an official diagnosis or meeting your deductible.

If you don’t have insurance, or your insurance does not cover enough of the cost of your treatment, you can talk to rehab centers about financing options such as payment plans, sliding-scale fees, or even scholarships in some cases. Many treatment centers are willing to work with individuals to ensure they can access treatment, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Lastly, many treatment facilities offer aftercare services and support networks for you to access after you’ve completed treatment. These ongoing services are intended to support continued recovery and can include options like sober housing, regular therapy sessions, alternative therapies, and support groups. You can also find support services in your community that may aid you in the transition from rehab to your day-to-day life.

ACT is an increasingly popular treatment choice for individuals with substance addictions. It offers some of the key principles of traditional therapy and CBT but also has unique benefits due to its different approaches.

In rehabilitation, ACT promotes long-lasting behavioral change and emotional well-being as it emphasizes acceptance, mindfulness, and separating oneself from your thoughts and feelings.

If you or a loved one is interested in more about ACT and the role it can play in addiction recovery, give our helpline a call today.