Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a comprehensive and evidence-based treatment for borderline personality disorder (BPD).  It has been hypothesised that the skills training, which is a facet of the full DBT programme, might be effective for people with severe emotional dysregulation and other co-occurring conditions, but who do not meet the criteria for BPD.  However, there is limited research on standalone DBT skills training for people with substance misuse and emotional dysregulation.


 DBT therapists screened potential participants against the study eligibility criteria.  Additionally, significant improvements were noted for mindfulness practice and DBT skills use from T1 to T3 (p < 0.001).  Qualitative findings indicated three superordinate themes in relation to participants' experiences of a DBT skills training programme, adapted from standard DBT: (1) new lease of life; (2) need for continued formal aftercare and (3) programme improvements.  Participants described reductions in substance misuse, while having increased confidence to use the DBT skills they had learned in the programme to deal with difficult emotions and life stressors.


 This DBT skills training programme, adapted from standard DBT, showed positive results for participants and appears effective in treating people with co-occurring disorders.  The study indicates that a DBT skills programme may provide a useful therapeutic approach to managing co-occurring symptoms.
DBT
DBT therapists screened potential participants against the study eligibility criteria. 
DBT therapists