Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Substance Abuse Disorder: A Review of Theory and Research

Addiction is a chronic psychiatric disorder that is prevalent in many societies, including the Iranian society. Drug addiction is a complex phenomenon that affects different aspects of a person's life, including social, economic, physical, and mental aspects. Addiction can be attributed to mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety, aggression, impaired impulse control, amnesia, hallucinations, and delusional disorders caused by industrial substances. It is necessary to use psychological interventions along with medical and biological treatments, because the consequences of addiction can interfere in people's lives. One of the psychological treatments has used in the field of addiction is dialectical behavioral therapy. Dialectical behavioral therapy has used and developed over time and is currently used to treat many problems, such as depression, anxiety, anger, substance abuse, and eating disorders. This paper reviews the application of dialectical behavior therapy techniques, which is considered as an adjunctive treatment for other treatments. Based on theoretical and research foundations, dialectical behavioral therapy can be an effective intervention for substance abuse disorders.