Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Men in Marietta, Georgia
At Four Winds Recovery Center, we specialize in providing evidence-based Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for men in Marietta, Georgia, as part of our comprehensive programs.
Our dedicated team offers personalized treatment plans designed specifically for men struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Through our integrated approach combining DBT therapy with other evidence-based modalities, we help men develop the practical skills and coping mechanisms needed for sustained recovery and improved well-being.
Why Choose Gender-Specific Treatment?
Men often experience addiction and recovery differently from women. Cultural expectations surrounding masculinity can create pressure to appear strong and self-reliant, making it difficult for men to admit they need help or show vulnerability.
These expectations can lead to men not reporting symptoms, internalizing emotions, and avoiding therapy.
At Four Winds Recovery Center, we understand these unique challenges. Our men’s program creates a safe space where men can openly discuss and work through their struggles without fear of judgment or stigma. This approach leads to more personalized and effective treatment outcomes.
Research has shown that gender-specific treatment programs can be particularly effective for substance use disorders, creating an environment where clients feel supported and understood in ways that resonate with their lived experiences.
Understanding Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based form of cognitive-behavioral therapy designed to help individuals manage intense emotions, develop healthier coping skills, and improve interpersonal relationships.
Initially created to treat borderline personality disorder, DBT has proven highly effective for a range of mental health conditions and substance use disorders by combining mindfulness practices, emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Through structured skills training and supportive therapy sessions, DBT empowers individuals to navigate life’s challenges, reduce self-destructive behaviors, and achieve greater emotional balance and well-being.
DBT in Practice
DBT addresses a wide range of mental health conditions and substance use disorders, providing essential skills for emotional regulation and distress tolerance.
“Dialectical” refers to integrating seemingly opposite strategies: acceptance and change. DBT teaches individuals to accept their current situation while working toward positive change.
Balance is particularly valuable in addiction treatment, where clients must take their reality while committing to the changes necessary for recovery.
Through skills training in group sessions and individual therapy, clients learn practical techniques to manage intense emotions, improve interpersonal relationships, and develop healthier coping mechanisms.
The Core Elements of DBT
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy consists of four primary modules, each targeting specific skills essential for recovery and improved mental health:
Mindfulness Skills form the foundation of all DBT skills. These mindfulness practices help individuals become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations without judgment. For men in addiction recovery, mindfulness techniques offer tools to:
Recognize cravings and triggers without automatically acting on them
Develop greater awareness of emotional states
Stay present-focused rather than dwelling on past mistakes or future anxieties
Make conscious choices rather than reacting impulsively to substance use urges
Distress Tolerance skills help individuals cope with crises and intense emotions without resorting to substance use or self-harming behaviors. These skills are particularly crucial during detox and early recovery when cravings and emotional distress are often at their peak. Techniques include:
Crisis survival strategies to manage immediate urges
Self-soothing methods using the five senses
Radical acceptance of current circumstances
Emotional Regulation: Many men with substance use disorders struggle with identifying and managing intense emotions. Emotional regulation skills teach clients to:
Identify and label emotions accurately
Reduce vulnerability to emotional triggers
Increase positive emotional experiences
Apply techniques to manage difficult emotions without turning to substances
Understand the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Addiction often damages relationships and impairs communication skills. The interpersonal effectiveness module helps men develop healthier ways to:
Express needs and set boundaries
Negotiate conflict effectively
Strengthen relationships with loved ones
Build new, supportive connections
Balance priorities and demands in interpersonal relationships
DBT for Specific Conditions and Addictions
Dialectical Behavior Therapy has proven particularly effective for individuals with substance use disorders, especially when they co-occur with other mental health conditions.
Research indicates that DBT can significantly reduce substance use, decrease treatment dropout rates, and improve overall psychological functioning.
DBT is especially effective in treating:
Alcohol and drug addiction
Co-occurring mental health disorders
Borderline personality disorder
Depression and anxiety
Trauma-related disorders
Self-harm behaviors
Eating disorders
For men struggling with addiction, DBT addresses several critical factors that contribute to substance use:
Impulsivity and poor decision-making
Difficulty managing intense emotions without substances
Interpersonal conflicts that trigger use
Lack of practical coping skills
Co-occurring mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or trauma
Our DBT approach incorporates trauma-informed care, which includes evidence-based techniques to help individuals gain insight into how the traumatic event has impacted their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and beliefs.
Benefits of DBT
The implementation of dialectical behavior therapy in our men’s rehab program offers numerous advantages for long-term recovery and improved quality of life:
Reduced Substance Use: DBT provides practical skills to manage cravings and avoid relapse, leading to decreased substance use and more extended periods of sobriety.
Improved Emotional Regulation: Men learn to identify and manage difficult emotions without turning to substances, a key factor in sustained recovery.
Enhanced Distress Tolerance: The ability to tolerate discomfort without impulsive actions helps men navigate the challenges of early recovery and everyday stressors.
Better Interpersonal Relationships: Improved communication skills and boundary-setting lead to healthier relationships with family members and loved ones.
Decreased Self-Destructive Behaviors: DBT reduces self-harm tendencies and suicidal ideation, which can co-occur with substance use disorders.
Greater Mindfulness and Self-Awareness: Increased awareness helps men identify triggers and make conscious choices rather than automatic responses to emotional stimuli.
Higher Treatment Retention: Clients receiving DBT tend to stay in treatment longer, increasing their chances of successful recovery and long-term sobriety.
DBT at Four Winds Recovery Center
At Four Winds Recovery Center, dialectical behavior therapy is integrated throughout our treatment programs for men struggling with substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. Our approach recognizes the unique challenges men face in acknowledging emotional difficulties and seeking help for mental health issues.
What to Expect in DBT Sessions
Our DBT program includes several components designed to provide comprehensive support:
Individual Therapy Sessions: Each client works one-on-one with a trained DBT therapist who helps apply dialectical behavior therapy skills to specific personal challenges. These sessions focus on motivation, reducing problematic behaviors, and addressing obstacles to recovery.
Skills Training Groups: Men participate in structured group sessions that teach the four core DBT modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. These group therapy sessions provide education and practical exercises to develop and strengthen coping skills.
Phone Coaching: Between sessions, clients can access coaching to receive guidance on applying DBT skills during challenging real-world situations. This immediate support helps translate therapy into daily life and aids distress tolerance during challenging moments.
Therapist Consultation Team: Our DBT therapists meet regularly to ensure they provide the most effective treatment and maintain fidelity to the DBT model. This collaboration ensures high-quality care for all clients in our treatment center.
Homework Assignments: Clients practice DBT skills between sessions through structured assignments, reinforcing what they’ve learned and developing mastery over time to improve their mental health and substance abuse recovery.
Four Winds Recovery Center’s Treatment Programs
At Four Winds Recovery Center, our treatment programs are thoughtfully designed to address the unique needs of men facing substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Our comprehensive approach combines evidence-based therapies—including dialectical behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, trauma-informed care, and holistic modalities—with individualized treatment plans, ensuring each client receives the targeted support and practical skills needed for lasting change and long-term well-being.
Substance Abuse Program for Men
At Four Winds Recovery Center, we offer a comprehensive continuum of care for men struggling with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Our gender-specific programs provide the structure, support, and specialized care men need to achieve lasting recovery.
Our substance abuse treatment program addresses various types of addiction, including:
Alcohol addiction
Opioid dependency
Stimulant use disorders
Prescription drug abuse
Marijuana dependency
Polysubstance use
At Four Winds Recovery, we save the lives of men who are suffering from alcoholism, drug addiction, and dual diagnosis disorders.
Our treatment approach is holistic, addressing not only the physical aspects of addiction but also the psychological, emotional, and social factors that contribute to substance use.
Levels of Care
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Our IOP offers a flexible yet structured approach to treatment that allows men to maintain work or educational commitments while receiving intensive therapeutic support.
This intensive outpatient program includes:
Treatment 3-5 days per week, 3-4 hours per day
DBT skills training groups
Individual therapy sessions
Focus on relapse prevention and coping skills
Family involvement and education
Continued progress monitoring
The intensive outpatient program (IOP) is still structured, but requires fewer weekly hours. It can bridge the gap between inpatient or day treatment programs and outpatient care, or stand alone.
Outpatient Program
Our standard outpatient program provides ongoing support for men who have completed more intensive levels of care or those with milder substance use issues.
This outpatient treatment includes:
1-2 therapy sessions per week
Continued DBT skills reinforcement
Relapse prevention planning
Support for reintegration into work and community
Connection to community resources and support groups
Outpatient treatment at Four Winds Recovery requires less of a time commitment than more intensive options but still offers individual, group, and family therapy as well as medication management. It is ideal for people with less severe addiction.
Addressing Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders
Our dual diagnosis treatment program addresses both substance use disorders and mental health conditions simultaneously.
This integrated approach is crucial for lasting recovery, as untreated mental health issues often lead to relapse.
Common co-occurring conditions we treat include:
Depression and anxiety disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Borderline personality disorder
Bipolar disorder
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Our dialectical behavior therapy program is particularly effective for dual diagnosis treatment, as it addresses emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and interpersonal difficulties that often accompany both addiction and mental health disorders.
About 9.5 million American adults have both mental health and substance use disorders, a co-occurrence known as dual diagnosis. This presents unique treatment challenges, leading to higher relapse rates and difficulty in long-term recovery.
In Georgia, the need for dual diagnosis treatment is significant due to rising rates of mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
Begin Your Recovery Journey Today
At Four Winds Recovery Center, we believe that lasting recovery is possible for every man who walks through our doors. Our dialectical behavior therapy program provides the skills, support, and structure needed to overcome addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders.
Take the first step toward healing today by calling us at 404-957-6765 to speak with an admissions specialist.