Discover how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help you live a healthier, more meaningful life
ACT Therapy for Substance Abuse and Mental Health
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps shift the goal from controlling or avoiding pain toward living in alignment with your values, even when discomfort is present.
- ACT is grounded in six core processes (acceptance, defusion, present-moment awareness, self-as-context, values, and committed action) that together build psychological flexibility.
- Research evidence indicates that ACT is effective for substance use disorders: a 2024 meta-analysis found that participants receiving ACT had higher odds of abstinence at end-of-treatment and in short-term follow-up compared to other active interventions.
- ACT supports long-term recovery not just by reducing substance use, but by strengthening emotional resilience: it improves psychological flexibility—the capacity to face difficult emotions without getting stuck—and has shown benefits for anxiety, depression, and PTSD symptoms.
- At Marietta Springs, ACT is positioned not just as a clinical therapy but as a holistic, values-driven framework to rebuild meaning, connection, and purpose while navigating recovery.
What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a mindfulness-based approach that helps you change how you relate to difficult thoughts and emotions.[1] Instead of trying to control or avoid pain, ACT teaches you to accept what you feel while taking meaningful steps toward the life you want.
It’s especially helpful for people facing cravings, anxiety, or harsh self-criticism. Licensed therapists trained in addiction recovery and behavioral health typically lead ACT sessions weekly—either one-on-one or in small groups.
At its heart, ACT builds psychological flexibility—the ability to stay present, make conscious choices, and live according to your values, even when life feels hard. At Marietta Springs, we combine mindfulness, acceptance, and practical tools to help you move forward with clarity, purpose, and confidence.
How and Why ACT Works
True recovery is about learning new ways to relate to your thoughts and emotions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) gives clients practical tools to handle life’s challenges. By teaching you how to respond to difficult feelings instead of avoiding them, ACT helps you build a foundation for lasting change.
The Core Process
- Acceptance: Facing cravings and uncomfortable feelings without judgment.
- Cognitive Defusion: Noticing your thoughts without letting them control your actions.
- Present-Moment Awareness: Using mindfulness to stay grounded and connected to the here and now.
- Self-as-Context: Seeing yourself as more than your addiction, emotions, or past experiences.
- Values Clarification: Identifying what truly matters—like health, family, and connection.
- Committed Action: Taking consistent, meaningful steps toward a life guided by those values.
Why It Works
Many people turn to substances to escape pain, but pushing emotions away only makes suffering worse in the long run. ACT helps you respond differently: to feel what you feel without being defined or driven by it. Over time, cravings lose their grip, and you gain the freedom to live with intention and hope.
Instead of asking, “How can I stop feeling this way?”, ACT invites a new question: “How can I live a life I care about, even when it’s hard?”
The Evidence Behind ACT Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one of the most researched and effective treatments for addiction and emotional well-being. Multiple studies show that ACT helps people reduce substance use, manage cravings, and build a stronger sense of purpose. In one meta-analysis, researchers found that participants who received ACT had significantly higher odds of abstaining at the end of treatment and during short-term follow-ups compared with other interventions.[3]
ACT also improves psychological flexibility—the ability to face difficult emotions without getting stuck in them—a key factor in long-term recovery.[4] Research has shown it can also ease anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress.[1]
At Marietta Springs, ACT is more than a therapy—it’s a way to help you grow beyond the struggle, using mindfulness, compassion, and practical tools to create lasting change.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Starting therapy can feel uncertain—especially if you’ve tried other approaches before. At Marietta Springs, you’ll find a safe, supportive space where honesty and compassion come first. ACT isn’t about judgment or perfection; it’s about progress, curiosity, and learning to be kinder to yourself along the way.
During your sessions, you’ll work with your therapist to:
Excercise
Practice mindfulness exercises that help you stay grounded and manage cravings or emotions.
Personal Values
Explore your personal values—what truly matters to you and gives your life meaning.
Awarenwss and flexibilty
Try gentle, guided exercises that build awareness and flexibility in how you respond to stress or urges.
ACT
Reflect on your progress and learn how to use ACT tools in real-life situations.
Some moments may feel uncomfortable, but that’s a normal part of healing and growth. Over time, you’ll learn to face difficult emotions with courage, respond to cravings with clarity, and make choices that move you toward the life you want.
ACT Therapy at Marietta Springs
At Marietta Springs, we believe recovery is about more than just staying sober—it’s about creating a life that feels meaningful and whole. Our licensed ACT therapists understand the complex layers of addiction and mental health, and they offer the right mix of structure, compassion, and encouragement to help you move forward at your own pace.
Here’s what makes our ACT program different:
ACT at Marietta Springs isn’t about pushing feelings away—it’s about learning to move through them with awareness and compassion, finding peace in the process, and reclaiming control of your story.
Other Therapies at Marietta Springs
There is no single path to healing that fits everyone’s needs. That’s why we offer a range of evidence-based therapies , each grounded in research and personalized to each client’s goals and background.[5]
At Marietta Springs, these therapies work hand in hand with individual counseling to help you heal fully—mind, body, and spirit—and move forward with renewed strength and hope.
Help Is Closer Than You Think
At Marietta Springs, we believe everyone deserves access to quality, compassionate care. We accept most major insurance plans and can help verify your coverage before you get started so you can focus on healing. Our admissions team will walk you through every step, answering questions and helping you find the right level of support for your needs. Ready to take the first step?
Reach out today or fill out our confidential online form to connect with our team. Together, we’ll help you begin building a life guided by clarity, purpose, and peace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ACT therapy for substance abuse?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for substance abuse helps individuals face cravings and uncomfortable emotions without judgment. Instead of trying to eliminate pain or urges, ACT teaches mindfulness and acceptance while encouraging commitment to actions that reflect personal values and long-term recovery goals.
How does ACT therapy help with addiction and recovery?
ACT therapy for addiction recovery focuses on developing psychological flexibility—the ability to stay present and take action guided by your values, even when cravings or distress arise. It helps clients break free from avoidance patterns and build a healthier, more purposeful life centered on meaning instead of temporary relief.
Does ACT therapy work for depression, anxiety, or PTSD?
Yes. Research shows that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can effectively reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress by teaching clients how to relate differently to negative thoughts and emotions. Rather than suppressing these experiences, ACT promotes awareness, compassion, and resilience.
What are common ACT therapy techniques and interventions?
ACT uses evidence-based techniques such as mindfulness exercises, values clarification, cognitive defusion (stepping back from thoughts), acceptance practices, and committed action toward meaningful goals. These methods help clients respond to inner struggles with awareness instead of avoidance.
How often is ACT therapy used in addiction treatment programs?
ACT is increasingly integrated into modern substance abuse and dual-diagnosis programs. Many rehab centers and behavioral health clinics now combine ACT with complementary approaches like CBT or DBT to enhance long-term recovery outcomes.
Sources & References
- Krotter, A., Aonso-Diego, G., González-Menéndez, A., González-Roz, A., Secades-Villa, R., & García-Pérez, Á. (2024). Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for addictive behaviors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2024.100773
- Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. (n.d.). The six core processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). https://contextualscience.org/six_core_processes_act
- Lee, E. B., An, W., Levin, M. E., & Twohig, M. P. (2015). An initial meta-analysis of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for treating substance use disorders. Drug & Alcohol Dependence, 155, 1–7. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/psych_facpub/1216/
- Zou, Z., Xu, J., Li, J., & Zhang, Q. (2025). Effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on negative emotions, automatic thoughts and psychological flexibility for depression: A meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry, 25(1), 66. https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-025-07067-w
- Himidian, E. (2025, January 12). ACT, CBT, DBT, EMDR, ERP: A Guide to Evidence-based Therapies. Wildflower Center for Emotional Health. https://www.wildflowerllc.com/act-cbt-dbt-emdr-erp-a-guide-to-evidence-based-therapies
