Contextual Therapies for Substance Use, Experiential Avoidance, and Emotional Dysregulation: A Clinical Case Study

The use of psychoactive substances is a major global public health issue with profound physical, mental, and social consequences for individuals and their communities. Dialectical behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy have gained recognition as effective interventions for addressing problematic sub stance use and associated emotional challenges. This case study details a 26-year-old Colombian patient with a history of problematic use of cannabis, cocaine base, and heroin, presenting with primary concerns including severe emotional dysregulation, experiential avoidance, and difficulties in maintaining social rela tionships. A unique aspect of this case is the application of an integrated dialectical behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy treatment program, specifically tailored to Colombian cultural fac tors, targeting both substance use behaviors and emotional challenges. The treatment program included dia lectical behavior therapy skills training to manage emotional dysregulation and reduce impulsive behaviors, combined with acceptance and commitment therapy–based techniques to enhance psychological flexibility and decrease experiential avoidance. Clinically, the patient exhibited significant improvements in emotional regulation and a reduction in substance use frequency. These changes, along with improved social function ing, emphasize the efficacy of this culturally adapted approach. This case contributes to the existing litera ture by demonstrating the adaptability and effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy in treating substance use disorders within a Colombian context. It highlights the importance of cultural adaptations in therapeutic methods and sets a foundation for future studies. However, the descriptive nature of this case study and its inherent limitations regarding generalizability should be taken into account. Continued research with more rigorous methodologies is essential to validate and expand upon these findings, ensuring broader applicability across similar populations.

Cite this article as: Sequeda, G., Acosta-López, J., Ahmad, M., & Durán-Rondon, S. (2025). Contextual therapies for substance use, experiential avoidance, and emotional dysregulation: A clinical case study. Addicta: The Turkish Journal on Addictions, Published online November 7, 2025. doi: 10.5152/ADDICTA.2025.24300.