Addiction Therapy

Group therapy

Group therapy is a very commonly employed therapeutic tool during a period of drug rehab, and research has shown that borderline personality disorder sufferers can also benefit from inclusion into group therapy, and through participation in 12 steps programs such as AA or NA.

If possible, a group of other borderline personality abusers is ideal, but when unavailable, a group of fellow recovering substance abusers is appropriate.

Individual therapy

Combined with appropriate pharmacological symptoms management, the use of ongoing psychotherapy has proven the most effective strategy for the treatment of borderline personality disorder recovering addicts. There are a number of unique issues that present when counseling a substance abusing borderline personality disorder patient, and as such any professional employed for the counseling should have an awareness of the unique and pertinent issue to treatment.

A hallmark of the disorder is an inability to trust, and this can limit the effectiveness of one on one therapy. To best earn trust, there should be an explicit discussion of the roles and aims of the therapy, and an agreement of these roles.

The presentation of cognitive dichotomies or splitting ideations is another hallmark of the disorder. People are generally seen as all good or all bad, and there is little grey area between the two. The therapist needs to be aware of splitting ideations, and be aware of splitting ideation as it may relate to members of the therapeutic team. As a relapse prevention strategy, therapists need to work with the patients to decreases this extreme dichotomy of thinking, and to encourage the consideration of the real complexities and gray areas of both people and situations.

Impulse control difficulties increases the likelihood of relapse and as a strategy of relapse management, therapists should encourage introspection and consideration in exchange for impulsive or knee jerk reactions.

Disease education

Many patients benefit from and appreciate some form of disease education and symptoms management instruction. Education can include how best to understand and control symptoms, as well as strategies for relapse prevention, and general work training and other life skills courses.

Family involvement

Family involvement in drug rehab is normally very beneficial to both the recovering addict and as well to the family, and this may or may not be true when considering the unique needs of the recovering borderline personality disorder patient in drug rehab. An evaluation of the relationship between the recovering addict and the family should be made before determining whether familial involvement is likely to promote healing or to induce further destructive behaviors. When appropriate, such as when the family maintains a continuing relationship with the borderline personality disorder addict, either financially or socially, the involvement of the family can be beneficial. Family can learn more about the disease, and the interaction of the psychological symptoms with substance abuse, and can learn the best strategies for long term support.

The impact on the family of substance abuse in a borderline personality disorder patient can be significant, and harmful, and this period of education and therapy can benefit the family greatly.