The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS) has released data showing that in 2020, 37,309 million Americans aged 12 years and older had a substance abuse disorder. A separate study done by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) reveals that at least 15.4% of all adults in America, which translates into nearly 39 million people, struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD) each year.
There are mental health specialists who believe that this number could be significantly decreased if the right therapy approach is utilized for people with substance abuse. One example is dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which many medical professionals have utilized and proven to have resulted in optimal recovery outcomes.
At The Freedom Center in Maryland, our facilities believe in providing treatment in conjunction with therapy services to help people effectively manage and cope with their behavioral health conditions.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a structured form of psychotherapy with an educational component designed to equip people with skills for managing intense emotions and negotiating social relationships. This approach is based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), another form of psychotherapy, although DBT is particularly adapted for people who experience emotions very intensely and might not be able to handle these intense emotions.
DBT also focuses on helping people accept the reality of their lives and their behaviors because a lot of the trouble stems from the fact that many people cannot accept certain realities or truths because they could be too harsh for their sensibilities or goes against their fundamental beliefs. The useful component of DBT for substance abuse is mostly aimed at helping these people in learning ways to change their lives for the better, primarily by removing their unhelpful behaviors.
The very first instance of using DBT to treat mental health issues was when it was used to treat borderline personality disorder (BPD). The relatively high success rate it produced as a treatment for the more difficult mental health issues prompted mental health specialists to see if it could be adapted to treat other mental health conditions as well.
The component of DBT that helps people who have difficulty with emotional regulation or are exhibiting self-destructive behaviors, including eating disorders and substance use disorders, further prompted mental health specialists to try it as a type of therapy to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to which it has varying degrees of success.
Substance abuse disorder is classified as a mental health issue because of the powerful influence the habit has on a person’s behavior and in creating an altered mindset in people. Using DBT as an approach to treat addiction puts a great focus on how emotions tend to influence a person’s actions and decisions.
This approach takes a look at how people’s inability to manage their emotions pushes them to substance abuse, which is why this psychotherapy approach shines a light on these emotions that push people to addiction. Once these emotions have been identified, the person learns specific coping mechanisms that are tailored to address the stress, anguish, or fear that drives the person to take substances.
Mental health experts believe that most people experience intrusive and unwanted thoughts from time to time. This experience does not necessarily qualify as a mental health issue in itself. What makes it problematic is when these thoughts trigger specific emotions that could prove to be too much for some people that they have to act on it, regardless if the action is harmful to them or others. This is why the main focus of the dialectical behavior therapy approach is on these emotions, as they are being seen as the main driver of the potential problems that result from unwanted and intrusive thoughts. Dialectical behavior therapy can be used to treat numerous mental health issues, including:
Some emotions are simply too much for some people, and when confronted with these emotions, some people look for the easiest way out, which could come in the form of either drugs or alcohol. As some substances leave the person with feelings of euphoria, the strong emotions they felt that were troubling them no longer become as problematic as they were. In other instances, some substances simply blank out the mind of the person and leave them in a stupor, or alter their perception of reality so much that they simply forget whatever thoughts or emotions were troubling them. There are also substances, such as alcohol or sleeping pills, that negate the negative emotions by simply putting the person to sleep so that they don’t feel the emotions anymore.
Trauma has a way of severely damaging the mind of a person. This damage could manifest in several ways, such as fear of continued abuse, immense aversion to specific things such as bodies of water or fire, or even loud noises that could remind the person of gunfire or explosions. This trauma becomes immensely troublesome as they cause the person to develop PTSD and addiction, which often floods their mind with intense memories of the trauma that affected them. While these memories could be quite fearful, it is the emotion that they trigger that causes the trouble, as these emotions could cause the person to be subdued with great fear, become hostile towards others that they associate with the memory, or cause the person to become highly self-destructive just so they don’t experience the powerful emotions brought on by the trauma.
There are quite a few mental health conditions that often push the idea that the best way to not feel the strong emotions plaguing a person is through death. The notion of finally finding peace at last from emotions of fear, extreme guilt, insecurity, or other feelings could become so inviting at times that death simply becomes so an attractive idea. The finality of the grave becomes quite inviting to some people who spend the better part of their day being plagued by emotions they could not control or shut out even for a brief time. There are many cases when even substances don’t serve to stave off the strong emotions anymore as the effects of substances wear off after a while, which brings all the emotions crashing right back into the person. This is why the permanent peace of death becomes an even better alternative for some.
Individuals who suffer from depression seek depression treatment in Maryland to alleviate the overpowering emotion of sadness. Many people who suffer from depression are so overwhelmed with a crushing sense of melancholy that they would welcome anything that would remove the overpowering emotion of sadness that they feel. While there are medications that serve to numb these emotions for a time, many who suffer from depression admit to feeling a lingering dread of the intense sadness consuming them completely one day when the medications stop working. The difficulty with depression is that no amount of logic or rationalization could diminish the severe sadness and melancholy felt by someone having a bout of depression.
Binge eating and bulimia are believed to be caused by specific emotions, namely fear, and disgust, which is why dialectical behavior therapy could be ideal for people who suffer from eating disorders. In more complex cases, the eating disorder could be linked to other conditions, such as body dysmorphic disorder, in which the person is overcome with disgust or revulsion when they see certain “imperfections” in how they look. In other cases, people tend to have eating disorders because they suffer from bullying, whereas others might call them names alluding to weight issues. In most cases, people who suffer from eating disorders feel a great sense of sadness, fear, and insecurity which affects how their behavior toward eating and food.
The broad spectrum of conditions that fall under anxiety mostly also have unmanaged emotion as a primary trigger for adverse reactions. This is particularly true for those who have specific phobias, panic attacks, avoidant personality disorder, and social anxiety, as these conditions are dominated by the emotion of fear. With anxiety and addiction, the simple knowledge of what is causing the adverse emotion is often not enough to mitigate the negative effects. This is where dialectical behavior therapy plays a significant role, as it does not only help in identifying these emotions but also in figuring out the best coping strategies to help in managing them.
The entire premise of dialectical behavior therapy works on the idea of validating the emotions being felt by the person. Regardless if these emotions are real, imagined, or somewhere in between, it is important to address them and acknowledge that they are there. Following the validation, there is also a need to address how they affect the person. If they are harmful in any way, or cause the person to engage in harmful behavior, then there is a need to do something about the situation. This is where the four modules of dialectical behavior therapy come in.
While it might sound like something taken from a new-age practice where science does not have much of a say, the practice of mindfulness is rooted in the fundamentals of science. Mindfulness is simply the practice of being in the present. This means perceiving, understanding, and taking in everything that is currently around the person at that specific time. Mindfulness is a practical approach to solving the most basic emotion that causes a lot of trouble for many people: fear. This fear is primarily directed at things that many people no longer have any control over, which is the past, and in things that might happen, which is the future. By dwelling on the mistakes of the past and possible troubling outcomes in the future, a person could become so fearful that they simply stop functioning. By living in the here and now, a person can be in a situation where they could still influence the outcome of things, giving them a measure of control. This control translates into power for many people, and power is often the best deterrent against fear. There is simply nothing good that would come out of dwelling so much on past mistakes, as this will only serve to continually wear down a person’s self-worth and instill in them a foreboding and lingering sense of guilt. Becoming so fearful of the future is also not very healthy. No one could accurately predict what the future may bring, and this is even true for those who are facing judicial action. A person declared guilty of an action today could be exonerated for it with the discovery of new facts that could overturn the ruling. This is why it is far better to live in the here and now, as this is where a person could do something concrete about things. By living in the present and focusing on treatment, a person can gain a sense of control over their fear of the past or future. Dwelling on past mistakes or future uncertainties can lead to paralyzing fear and a sense of guilt. However, through treatment such as inpatient residential treatment, outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient program, and partial hospitalization program, individuals can learn to manage their fears and regain a sense of power and control over their lives.
Anger management is a very real thing, and it could be the only thing that prevents a person from an action that they would regret later on. Emotion regulation is important because the phrase ” I could not control myself” will never prevent a person from getting into trouble with the law or with anyone else. The most inflammatory things that others say will not cause a person to die or get sick, but they could cause a person to get into serious trouble if they let their temper get the best of them by reacting to the inflammatory comments. This also holds when a person is consumed by a great sadness. Doing self-harm or even committing suicide because of feelings of sadness or guilt will not fix anything. Emotion regulation also becomes increasingly crucial if the person happens to be in a situation where they are being goaded into an action that would regret. This module comes with three goals: to understand the emotion, to reduce emotional vulnerability, and to decrease emotional suffering. Emotion regulation is immensely important because this is often what comes out as the knee-jerk reaction, which usually only serves to make the situation even worse. Emotion regulation affords a person the benefit of logic in assessing a situation where they could figure out a better and more beneficial response, as compared to lashing out blindly when emotion clouds logical thought.
Emotion has a way of severely and adversely interfering with communication. Once a person is overwhelmed with emotion, a situation where something needs to be said or done will devolve into a situation where the person caught up in emotion will respond in the worst way possible, or not participate in any kind of interaction at all. Situations like this give rise to instances of victim-blaming because it could become apparent that the bad situation could have been avoided if only the person said something or engaged in assertive communication instead of reacting blindly. Being able to communicate with others is extremely important because people cannot read minds or sense emotions that are hidden. The act of insufficient communication often leaves both parties guessing and assuming instead of properly communicating and interacting. Being able to effectively communicate is also a survival skill most of the time because a person could potentially be in a life-threatening situation and no one else would know because the person is unable to communicate with others. Being able to communicate and interact properly and appropriately could also serve to diffuse tension and resolve issues that could otherwise turn out badly.
Regardless of what people who engage in toxic positivity might say, there are many situations where nothing could be done by anyone, and the best that could be done is to hope for the best. In some instances, control is an illusion, and in these cases, the best option would be to cope with the crisis. Coping mechanisms will allow a person to weather a highly distressing situation and still maintain a clear mind able to analyze the situation and perhaps find out the best way to come out of it alive. This is an important module of dialectical behavior therapy because many people put in a highly distressing situation could simply give in to the paralyzing effects of fear and freeze completely. This almost guarantees that the person will not survive a dangerous situation where crucial thinking is required. Current events all over the world have shown that the people who survived great tragedies and events are those who were still able to keep their wits about them during the crisis. Giving in to extreme emotions like fear and anger will only serve to put the person in a vulnerable position and negate any chance of being able to get out of the situation in a good condition. Some people say their minds go into neutral during a crisis, which goes against the flight survival instinct that is hardwired into people. During such emergencies, the human mind should work to either find the best mode of escape or brace for conflict to ensure survival.
There are many instances where therapy supposedly does not work and the person who gets it either relapses into old bad habits or avoids any kind of treatment or rehabilitation in the future. Addiction therapy services work, but only if it is appropriate for the person and diagnosis. This is something that we are very keen on here at our drug rehab in Maryland because we know that countless hours of therapy could accomplish nothing if it is not suited to the issue. We know this because we have helped so many with their issues using this mindset. We could help you too. Talk to us now.
If you or a loved one is ready to get help but finances are holding you back, give us a call. We can work with your health insurance provider.
Client transformations are what drive us to continually improve and enhance everything we do here. We are deeply committed to giving back, lifting others up, and ensuring that no one in our community has to face addiction alone. These are their stories of hope,
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If you or a loved one is ready to get help but finances are holding you back, give us a call. We can work with your health insurance provider.
Mary is an experienced Client Care Manager with 20+ years in customer service. She excels at problem-solving and takes pride in delivering tailored solutions. Mary builds strong client relationships, ensuring satisfaction with each interaction. Her attention to detail and communication skills are valuable assets. Mary goes above and beyond to exceed expectations and is dedicated to outstanding service. In her free time, she enjoys music, reading, and family time.
Samantha is a compassionate therapist dedicated to helping individuals navigate their mental health challenges and find healing and recovery. Currently pursuing her advanced degree in psychology, Samantha’s personal journey of overcoming addiction fuels her passion for supporting others on their path to wellness. Samantha’s own journey of recovery serves as a powerful foundation for her therapeutic services. She approaches her work with empathy, understanding, and non-judgment, recognizing that everyone’s path to healing is unique.
Corey Hassett grew up in Gaithersburg Maryland. After graduating high school, he attended college at the University of Coastal Carolina & Salisbury University. In 2014, Corey moved to Florida where he worked in retail sales. In 2015, Corey was given the opportunity to join Amethyst Recovery Center’s Business Development team. In 2018, Corey had the opportunity to partner with Amethyst and USR to open The Freedom Center in his to hometown of Gaithersburg, MD. Throughout his tenure at The Freedom Center, he has strategically built relationship with referring providers, hospitals and local government leaders. Corey has continued to grow The Freedom Center brand, educate his local community on Substance Use Disorder and become a pillar of the local recovery community. Corey’s mission is to provide quality behavioral health care to local community members who reach out in need, regardless of their financial situation. Outside of The Freedom Center, Corey enjoys playing golf, hiking and most of all being the best father to his three young boys.
Michael is the Community Outreach Coordinator and Alumni Director. Himself, an alumni of The Freedom Center, Michael brings a personal experience of the program to his role. A resident of Gaithersburg, Michael has planted roots and established a network in the local recovery community. Michael’s goal is to connect current client and alumni with resources to strengthen their life in recovery.
A veteran of two branches of the U.S. military, Max is continuing his education in healthcare administration. Max began his career in the addiction field working as a group facilitator and teacher, developing and delivering a successful faith-based curriculum in a long-term residential treatment setting. Accruing years of hands-on experience working alongside the administrators of facilities across the country in development of their own unique programs gave Max a unique and robust perspective into the administrative requirements of addiction treatment programs. Today, Max is able to channel his passion for battling the disease of addiction into ensuring The Freedom Center maintains strict adherence to the guidelines set forth by The Joint Commission and our partnerships in the insurance industry, and is constantly striving to improve the overall performance of the facility.
Alexandra oversees all operations with The Freedom Center to ensure clients are given the best chance at success. She works with The Freedom Center team to develop and implement policies, procedures and oversees Intakes and Transportation. Alexandra works with Admissions and Clinical Departments for scheduling client admissions, transfers, discharges and outside appointments while maintaining positive relationships with all clients. Her primary focus is to provide all clients with a safe, structured environment while coordinating their care. Alexandra understands addiction from both familial and personal standpoints, as she is active in her own recovery. Through her own hard-won experience and deep desire to help others, Alexandra became a certified Peer Support Recovery Coach, Life Coach and actively practices principals learned through the recovery process in her daily life. Alexandra is a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend and has learned the value of recovery and succeeding in whatever she sets her mind to. Her innovative approach as Director of Operations gives her clients a safe and compassionate place at The Freedom Center to begin their recovery journey.
James Scribner holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business. His career began working in the accounting industry as a financial auditor. In that role, James audited a national trade association with over 1,300 member companies that sell health insurance coverage to more than 200 million Americans. He also conducted official financial examinations of various non-profit organizations and for-profit corporations. This experience allowed him to learn the inner workings of almost any aspect of a company. It also taught him the value of building meaningful relationships with clients and having a strong ethical framework.
James began his personal recovery journey in 2010. Throughout that process, he learned the importance of helping others and living by spiritual principles. Throughout his recovery, James has used his personal story to help make a difference in the lives of others. Over the years he grew into becoming an advocate for people in recovery or seeking recovery from substance use disorders. James is a CCAR Recovery Coach and believes in developing meaningful relationships, and providing highly individualized therapy and client care. In 2017, James had the opportunity to combine his business experience and passion for recovery to start The Freedom Center.
Being born and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, it was always a dream for James to start a program where he began his own recovery journey. Having faced addiction in his own life, and having worked through recovery, James truly understands what it takes to get sober and stay sober. James now has the opportunity to do what he loves and help others achieve long-term recovery. James works alongside the clinical director and administrative team to help ensure that every client benefits from a customized treatment plan and holistic approach that offers freedom from the grips of addiction.
“Never lose hope. Recovery is possible!”
Melissa is a visionary and empathetic leader in the field of peer support and recovery. Nationally Certified as a Peer Recovery Support Specialist by the Maryland Addiction and Behavioral-health Professionals Certification board, Melissa’s journey has been defined by her unwavering commitment to helping others find their path to recovery. Armed with credentials as a Registered Peer Supervisor, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and Alcohol and Drug Trainee she has earned her place as a guiding light for individuals seeking hope and solace. Melissa’s illustrious journey includes a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, while she currently works diligently towards her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at Walden University. Melissa’s personal experiences with addiction and mental health struggles instilled within her a profound passion for supporting others on their recovery journey. Her unwavering commitment to peer support, coupled with her own lived experience, fuels her drive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those facing similar challenges.
As an integral part of The Freedom Center, Melissa’s multifaceted experience shines through her past work in various capacities. She played a pivotal role as a peer support specialist in the overdose response team for Montgomery County, where she collaborated closely with the Department of Health and Human Services, Crisis Center, EMS, MCPD, and Montgomery County hospitals. Her presence on this team highlights her dedication to crisis intervention and her ability to provide critical support during vulnerable times. Prior to her role in crisis intervention, Melissa worked extensively in the substance abuse and dual diagnoses treatment field. Her diverse roles as a case manager, discharge coordinator, behavioral health technician, group facilitator, and clinician have provided her with invaluable insights into the complexities of addiction and mental health recovery. Above all, Melissa’s authenticity shines through her self-disclosure as someone in long-term recovery herself. This profound personal connection fuels her passion for working in the field and enables her to bring a unique blend of empathy and expertise to her role.
Meet Federico Douglas. Federico is bilingual is Spanish. He earned a Bachelor’s degree at Lincoln University of Pennsylvania while pursuing his CAC-AD. With strong ties to Victory Christian Church and the 12-step community, Federico shares an amazing personal story of redemption and long-term recovery. With over 32 years in the arena of addiction and sobriety, he uses his vast experience to provide a unique approach to mentorship and guiding our clients toward a supportive lifestyle of recovery. Mr. Douglas’ experience, strength, and hope inspires those in our program, and prepares them for the real-world journey of recovery. With a robust foundation in 12-step philosophy, Federico can not only educate the clients on the model, but also integrate the tried-and-true principles in a more personal, clinical setting.
Bunmi is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a concentration in Human Services. She joined The Freedom Center team to provide counseling for substance use disorders and related mental health issues on an individual basis, facilitate group sessions, provide assessments, and provide support to the clinical staff. Bunmi is dedicated to helping her clients reach their full potential and build their toolkit of resources to support their long-term recovery.
Meet Cheryl Moore. Cheryl is a Clinical Social Worker licensed by the state of Maryland with over 30 years of experience in the field. She graduated from The University of Maryland with a master’s degree in social work. Her experience in a variety of settings, from leadership in a hospital setting to private practice, affords Cheryl a well-rounded skillset ready to render top-notch care and serve the needs of our diverse community. As a licensed clinician, Cheryl stands ready to diagnose and treat a wide spectrum of mental, behavioral, and personality disorders that sometimes present alongside a substance use disorder. Whether she’s leading group therapy or providing an individual therapy session, Cheryl’s expansive knowledge and genuine compassion paired with her deep drive to help people are always on display at The Freedom Center.
Meet Mr. Kevin Sockwell. In addition to the title of Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, Kevin is also licensed by the state of Maryland as a Clinical Drug and Alcohol Counselor. He holds a Master of Science degree in Counseling and has over 26 years of experience as a substance use/mental health counselor with the Montgomery County Government. Whether he’s leading groups or providing individual and family therapy, Kevin’s passion for serving those suffering from substance use disorders is always on display. When he’s not busy treating The Freedom Center’s clientele, you might find Kevin engaged in his other passion as an actor/director in the local theater community. Kevin’s expertise and experience as a Primary Therapist, paired with his natural talents and abilities as a speaker and an artist, have uniquely equipped him to reach our population and render top-notch care.
Vanessa is certified in addictions counseling by Maryland’s Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists, with credentials as a clinical supervisor. She comes to The Freedom Center with over 14 years of direct experience in residential and outpatient treatment between the private and federal sectors.
In addition to helping those suffering from addiction, Vanessa has dedicated part of her career to “helping the helper.” In 2015, she began working in a Training and Career Development Center coordinating substance abuse trainings for other clinicians. Her experience in behavioral health training, program development, and organizational leadership lead her to pursue a certification as a Project Management Professional in 2018. Vanessa also holds a Bachelor’s of Arts in Behavioral and Social Sciences from the University of Maryland, College Park and a Master’s of Business Administration-Human Resource Management from Columbia Southern University.
Vanessa is a Montgomery County native who spends her free time traveling with her daughter and volunteering in the community.
Judy is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Maryland, and a National Certified Counselor. She earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling from Johns Hopkins University with an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland. Judy is a Primary Therapist who provides services to clients with dual-diagnosis disorders and is skilled in providing Trauma-Informed Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, and Eating Disorders. She has served in both clinical and leadership positions in a number of roles, in inpatient and outpatient settings, as a Primary Therapist and Clinical Supervisor.
Deirdre graduated in 2012 from Pace University and completed her bachelor’s at Columbia University in New York and has her Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner. Deirdre also has a Master’s in Public Health in Epidemiology. Deirdre has extensive experience in mental health and treating substance use disorder related issues. In addition, Deirdre has experience in caring for young adults, women’s health issues and adolescents with HIV/AIDS. She served as a Wellness coordinator at Search for Change, Inc and currently serves as an Independent Practice Coach from 2011 to present. As the Family Nurse Practitioner, Deirdre performs history and physical exams, and works with clients to diagnose and treat dual diagnosis clients.
Mark joined the medical team at The Freedom Center in September 2018 as the Medical Director. He received his medical degree in Mexico with further certification from Rutgers Medical School in New Jersey. He then attended New York Medical College for his residency training. Prior to being hired at The Freedom Center, he spent over twenty years working in the field of addictions treatment, and has been involved in nearly every treatment setting, from outpatient to residential to maintenance management.
As the Medical Director, Mark works with the staff to coordinate the appropriate level of care for each individual client. He works directly with the clients on management of medical issues both related to and separate from their addiction, ensuring comprehensive health care plans that ensure our clients’ chances at recovery. What he has found to be most rewarding about working in the addictions treatment field is being able to help suffering addicts and alcoholics to realize their fullest potential.
