Learn How to Better Cope with Everyday Life

Stress and anxiety are a natural part of life, but for some, these challenges can become overwhelming, leading to addiction as an unhealthy coping mechanism. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a behavioral therapy used in addiction treatment to help individuals overcome negative thoughts and emotions by fostering a more fulfilling life. At Silver Ridge, our acceptance and commitment therapy in Asheville, North Carolina helps individuals struggling with substance use disorder learn how to manage life’s challenges without turning to drugs or alcohol. The goal of ACT is to help individuals act effectively, even when faced with stressful or disruptive situations.

Key components of acceptance and commitment therapy for substance use disorder include:

1. Accept the hardships life presents
2. Choose directional values that support a meaningful life
3. Take action toward those values, even in the face of adversity

ACT is foundational to our treatment modalities, guiding clients through the process of accepting and managing life’s difficulties rather than resorting to substance use. While life’s challenges can’t be entirely avoided, ACT equips clients with the tools to face them head-on, reducing the risk of relapse.

Separating Thoughts from Actual Facts

Addiction often stems from extreme stress and feelings of worthlessness. Many individuals turn to substance use to temporarily escape their problems, which only delays and worsens the challenges they face. Unresolved issues can intensify feelings of inadequacy, leading to harmful thoughts such as, “I’m worthless. I can’t achieve anything.” These negative perceptions can fuel further substance use as a way to silence the inner turmoil.

With acceptance and commitment therapy for addiction treatment in Asheville, NC, clients learn to recognize these thoughts as perceptions, not facts. ACT empowers individuals to confront these thoughts, separating them from reality, and take meaningful action in line with their values, paving the way for a healthier, more fulfilling life.

The ACT Process

Simply recognizing that thoughts aren’t always facts is not enough for lasting change. Many people respond to this recognition with resistance, which can lead to an internal debate that worsens their feelings. Acceptance is key to the process—acknowledging difficult emotions and making meaningful changes rather than dwelling on what could have been. For instance, if someone is struggling with a past event, it’s essential to accept that it happened and choose to move forward, rather than getting stuck on how things could have been different.

Here’s how the ACT process works:

1. Accept – Acknowledge that hardships occur. When anxiety or stress arises, let the feelings come and go without acting on them. Live through the anxiety rather than letting it dictate your actions.
2. Defuse – When negative thoughts appear, remind yourself that they are just thoughts. Shift your mindset from “I am bad” to “I think I am bad.” This reframing can help reduce the power of these thoughts and make it easier to overcome them.
3. Focus – It’s natural to ruminate on past mistakes, but focus on what you can do in the present. Avoid distancing yourself from these thoughts through substances. Instead, ask yourself how you can improve things now.

Incorporating acceptance and commitment therapy in Asheville, North Carolina into daily life can be challenging, but Silver Ridge provides immersive programs led by licensed, experienced therapists who teach the fundamentals of ACT. Successful acceptance and commitment therapy for addiction goes beyond detoxing from substances—it equips individuals with the tools to resist relapse and build a healthier future.