Addiction recovery involves more than stopping the use of drugs or alcohol. It includes learning how to handle thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in healthier ways. Many therapeutic approaches exist to support this process, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
ACT is a behavioral therapy that focuses on helping people face challenges without turning to patterns of avoidance or control. It teaches skills that support emotional awareness and decision-making based on personal values. In addiction treatment settings, ACT is often used alongside other therapies to support long-term recovery. It can help individuals manage cravings, symptoms of mental health issues, or long-standing behavioral patterns.
ACT treatment works through six main processes:
- Acceptance: Allowing cravings or emotions to be present (without trying to change them)
- Cognitive defusion: Learning to see thoughts as just thoughts, not facts
- Present moment awareness: Paying attention to what’s happening right now
- Self-as-context: Understanding that you are more than your thoughts and feelings
- Values clarification: Identifying what truly matters to you
- Committed action: Taking steps that align with your values
In addiction recovery, ACT helps people notice urges to use substances without automatically acting on them. Instead of saying “I can’t have this craving,” a person learns to say “I’m having a craving right now, and I can still choose what to do next.” This can be an invaluable skill when dealing with withdrawal symptoms throughout the recovery process.
How ACT Treatment Addresses Cravings and Triggers
Traditional approaches often focus on avoiding triggers or fighting cravings. ACT teaches how to be mindful of cravings without trying to make them go away. This might seem counterintuitive. But research shows that accepting urges often makes them easier to handle.
Here’s how ACT can help with cravings:
ACT uses simple exercises to help you notice when cravings happen. For example, you might practice focusing on your breath while observing urges come and go. This helps you see that cravings are temporary and don’t have to control your actions.
This technique teaches how to “ride out” cravings, like a surfer rides a wave. Instead of fighting the feeling, the person notices where it shows up in their body, how intense it is, and how it changes over time. Many people find that cravings peak and then naturally recede if the person doesn’t fight them.
ACT helps a person identify what’s truly important to them, such as family, health, or personal growth. When cravings arise, they can choose actions that align with these values rather than responding to the craving.
Why Psychological Flexibility Matters for Recovery
When a person is psychologically flexible, they can experience a craving without automatically using substances to cope with it. This can feel anxiety, sadness, or stress without turning to unhealthy coping methods. This can create more options for how to respond to life’s challenges.
Psychological flexibility isn’t about never having difficult thoughts or feelings. It’s about being able to have those experiences and still choose actions that support recovery and general well-being. People who develop this skill are better equipped to handle the ups and downs of life without relapse.
Research on Acceptance Treatment and Effectiveness
There are several potential benefits of ACT:
- Short-term results: ACT can help people reduce substance use during treatment
- Long-term outcomes: People who learn ACT skills often maintain progress after treatment ends
- Psychological benefits: ACT can improve how people relate to difficult thoughts and feelings
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) includes ACT among evidence-based approaches for addiction treatment. While more research will be conducted, current studies suggest ACT is a valuable tool for recovery. At Magnolia City Detox, ACT is one of several approaches we use to support clients in their recovery journey.
Session Structure and Techniques in ACT
Here are some common techniques used in ACT sessions:
These exercises help people identify what matters most to them. For example, they might be asked to imagine what they’d want people to remember about them, or to list areas of life that are important to you (such as family, work, or personal growth).
These help to create distance from unhelpful thoughts. For instance:
- Saying thoughts in a silly voice
- Thanking the mind for a thought
- Adding “I’m having the thought that…” before a negative thought
Simple exercises can help with paying attention to the present moment. The person might practice noticing sounds in the room, focusing on your breath, or observing thoughts without getting caught up in them.
ACT therapists often use stories or metaphors to explain concepts. One common metaphor is “passengers on the bus,” where the person is the driver of a bus (their life), and difficult thoughts and feelings are passengers. The thoughts can make noise, but they don’t have to determine where the bus travels.
Sessions typically last 45 to 60 minutes, and might occur weekly or more often (depending on the person’s treatment plan). The number of sessions varies based on individual needs, but many people see benefits within 8 to 12 sessions.
Common Misconceptions About ACT and Addiction
There are several misunderstandings about ACT that can create confusion. One is that ACT means passively accepting addiction. In reality, ACT teaches acceptance of internal experiences (thoughts, feelings, urges), not harmful behaviors. The goal is to accept cravings while still making healthy choices.
One common mistake is the idea that ACT is just about mindfulness meditation. But mindfulness is one component of ACT. The overall approach also emphasizes values, committed action, and other processes that go beyond meditation.
Recovery supported by ACT focuses on building a meaningful life based on personal values. Rather than just avoiding substances, the idea is to work toward positive goals that matter to the individual person. Values can provide direction when recovery gets challenging. For example, if family connection is important to someone, that value can motivate healthy choices even when cravings arise.
The skills learned in ACT (like acceptance, defusion, and present-moment awareness) can help with many life challenges beyond addiction. These tools support resilience in relationships, work, and personal growth. At Magnolia City Detox, we believe that lasting recovery and relapse prevention are rooted in addressing both the physical aspects of addiction and the psychological patterns that maintain it. Our approach combines evidence-based therapies like ACT with compassionate care to support each person’s unique recovery journey.
Start Your Recovery Today at Magnolia City Detox
We’re committed to supporting you through each step of the process with evidence-based approaches like ACT. To learn more about our programs or begin your recovery journey, contact Magnolia City Detox today.
