Therapy for trauma and addiction can certainly be an emotional and confusing road for those with complex histories. Addiction recovery in itself can be a challenge, but then taking the next step to address traumas you’ve experienced and acknowledging yourself as a survivor can sometimes feel insurmountable.
Trauma-informed addiction care uses both CBT and DBT, which are both evidence-based forms of psychotherapy. Therapy for trauma and addiction can be addressed at a trauma-informed rehab such as Recover Colorado.
This Recover Colorado article explores the differences between CBT and DBT and which is best suited for trauma survivors.
CBT vs. DBT: What’s the Difference?
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) are closely related, but they differ in goals, focus, and techniques. CBT started with the core idea that your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and by changing the unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, you can improve overall emotional well-being. DBT is a form of CBT for trauma recovery that was developed specifically for people who experience intense emotions. DBT emphasizes trying to balance acceptance with change, while also learning to accept yourself and working to change harmful behaviors.
Differences Between CBT & DBT in Trauma Treatment
CBT for trauma:
- Focuses on identifying and reframing unhelpful thoughts about the traumatic event.
- Uses exposure and cognitive restructuring to reduce fear, avoidance, and intrusive memories.
Goal: lessen trauma symptoms by changing thought patterns and behaviors.
DBT for trauma:
- Emphasizes regulating overwhelming emotions and tolerating distress safely.
- Teaches mindfulness, grounding, and interpersonal skills to manage triggers.
Goal: build stability and resilience so trauma processing can happen without re‑traumatization.
Put simply:
- CBT works on how you think about the trauma
- DBT helps you handle how you feel when the trauma gets stirred up.
Which Type of Trauma Therapy is Right for You—CBT or DBT?
Deciding if CBT for trauma recovery or DBT for emotional regulation in recovery is right for you starts with acknowledging your current emotional regulation tactics, and how your behaviors impact your day to day right now. Both have their strengths and it really depends on you as a person. Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about choosing one because if you attend a Colorado trauma-informed rehab such as Recover Colorado, you will get evaluated and the clinicians can help identify your best fit.
How CBT Helps with Trauma and Addiction Recovery
CBT can help people recover from trauma by identifying and then changing the unhelpful thoughts and behaviors that contribute to distress. Let’s look at a brief example. A man under the influence is the driver of a car that was involved in an accident. The driver had no physical injuries, but his friend who was in the passenger seat broke his collar bone. The driver feels intense guilt for having a few drinks prior to driving, and for his friend being injured.
Integrating CBT for trauma recovery, a therapist would help process with the driver that though he had been drinking, he could not have predicted that another driver would run a red light and hitting them. They would have a dialogue in which the driver repeated phrases that would replace self-blame with more accurate, compassionate, and understanding statements. This, in turn, reduces guilt and helps him to move forward.
How DBT Helps People Overcome Trauma in Addiction Treatment
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is also widely used and integrated throughout addiction treatment to help overcome trauma by teaching skills to manage intense emotions and reduce impulsive behaviors. It combines acceptance and change strategies, helping individuals face painful memories without resorting to substance use.
An example: Sarah uses alcohol to numb flashbacks from past abuse. When she feels overwhelmed, she drinks to escape the pain. A therapist using DBT for emotional regulation in recovery, would teach Sarah distress tolerance skills like paced breathing and using ice or grounding techniques to stay present during flashbacks. They also practice emotional regulation, helping her notice early signs on emotional overwhelm and to choose healthy coping actions instead of drinking.
What About PTSD and CPTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event, such as a natural disaster, war, violent crime, or personal assault.
- Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) is a condition that develops after experiencing prolonged or repeated exposure to traumatic events, such as abuse, neglect, or violence.
- PTSD and CPSTD can make recovery harder by causing intense emotions, flashbacks and hypervigilance that lead to using substances to escape the distress.
These symptoms often trigger relapse when trauma memories or stressors resurface without effective coping strategies in place. It matters where you choose to recover. Recover Colorado offers trauma-informed addiction care that can help take your healing to a new level.
Why Trauma-Informed Substance Abuse Treatment Matters
Trauma resolution is crucial for lasting recovery because unresolved trauma often fuels emotional pain and triggers that lead to substance use or relapse. Therapy for trauma and addiction go hand in hand. Healing the underlying trauma helps people to build stability, self-compassion, and healthier coping skills to maintain long-term sobriety. In fact, you may not be aware you have a trauma disorder such as PTSD or CPSTD until you are diagnosed at rehab because it has been buried beneath intoxication and addiction.
Join Us in Recovery from Trauma and Addiction
Join us at Recover Colorado, where women’s journeys to wellness are honored, supported, and transformed into futures defined by strength and possibilities.
Conveniently located in the Denver Metro Area, we are one of Colorado’s most trusted drug and alcohol rehabs. We accept most major health insurance plans, including Health First Colorado (Colorado Medicaid).
There’s no time like the present to start moving in the right direction.
Don’t wait. Call now: (888) 695-5407