BPD Treatment Designed for Healing and Long-Term Recovery
Living with borderline personality disorder can feel like an emotional rollercoaster—but you don’t have to face it alone. At Recovery Ways in Salt Lake City, our BPD treatment program offers personalized, evidence-based care designed to help you find balance, strengthen your sense of self, and build meaningful connections. As one of the trusted Salt Lake BPD treatment centers, we blend clinical expertise with holistic healing to support your emotional growth and long-term recovery. With the guidance of our dedicated team, you’ll develop the tools to manage intense emotions, improve relationships, and move forward with confidence.
Reach out today to take the first step toward healing with our treatment for borderline personality disorder in Salt Lake City.
What is Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition characterized by impulsiveness, extremely unstable emotions, distorted self-image, and intense, often turbulent relationships. It is one of several recognized personality disorders and frequently co-occurs with other mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Individuals with BPD may experience intense episodes of anxiety, depression, or anger that can last for a few hours to a few days. While their behavior may sometimes be viewed as manipulative or overly emotional, mental health professionals understand these actions often stem from deep emotional pain and a profound fear of abandonment.
At our Salt Lake BPD treatment center, we understand that every experience with this condition is unique. That’s why our approach to borderline personality disorder treatment in Salt Lake City focuses on evidence-based care that meets you where you are.
Mental health professionals have identified four subtypes of BPD, which can help in understanding the unique ways this disorder may present:
Petulant BPD
Individuals with petulant BPD often swing between intense anger and deep feelings of unworthiness. They may have a strong need to manipulate and control others and often display, possessive behaviors, leading to frequent conflict and dissatisfaction in relationships. This pattern increases the risk of substance abuse and self-destructive behaviors
Impulsive BPD
This subtype is marked by poor impulse control and a tendency towards risky, thrill seeking behaviors. These individuals may engage in self-harm or suicide attempts, often as a means of coping with emotional chaos.
Self-Destructive BPD
People with self-destructive BPD often seek validation from others. When emotional needs go unmet, they may engage in harmful behaviors such as substance abuse, reckless activities, or suicide attempts as a way to cope with overwhelming feelings.
Discouraged BPD
Those with discouraged BPD tend to appear passive or reserved but often form strong emotional dependencies. Perceived rejection can trigger intense emotional instability, anger, and difficulty regulating their reactions.
Although, this all may sound discouraging, especially as a co-occurring disorder with addiction, there is treatment available to those with BPD. Recovery Ways provides compassionate, evidence-based borderline personality disorder treatment in Salt Lake City, helping patients find relief and long-term recovery.
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Who is at Risk for Borderline Personality Disorder?
Borderline Personality Disorder affects both men and women of all ages, though according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), nearly 75% of the diagnosed cases of BPD in the United States are women. NAMI also notes that nearly 4% of people with BPD may be undiagnosed, and that recent research suggests that there may be more men than reported with BPD because men tend to be misdiagnosed with depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
While there is no clearly understood cause of BPD today, the development of BPD is typically linked to a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors. Learning more about these influences can be an important step toward seeking support and healing.
Several contributing factors may increase the risk of developing BPD. These include:
Genetics and Family History
It has long been recognized that certain mental health disorders, including borderline personality disorder, tend to run in families. While doctors and scientists have not identified the specific genes responsible, research shows that BPD is up to five times more likely to develop in individuals who have a first-degree relative with the disorder.
Substance Abuse
Frequent or heavy use of drugs and alcohol can significantly alter brain chemistry and contribute to the development of mental health conditions such as BPD. Research has shown a strong connection between BPD and imbalances in certain areas of the brain responsible for emotional stability and decision making, both of which are directly impacted by substance use.
Brain Structure
The areas of the brain associated with BPD may be influenced by more than just substance use. Factors such as underdeveloped brain regions or natural variations in brain structure can play a role. Since everyone’s brain structure is different, some individuals may simply be at a higher risk for developing BPD due to differences in the areas responsible for emotional regulation and behavioral control.
Trauma
Experience trauma—such as childhood abuse, neglect, or relationship difficulties— can significantly increase the risk of mental health disorders including BPD. Borderline Personality Disorder is often characterized by unstable relationships, mood swings, low self-esteem, and unpredictable behavior. Many of these symptoms can be connected to past traumatic events that change the way an individual interacts with others and feels about themselves.
Symptoms of a Personality Disorder
Many Borderline Personality Disorder symptoms closely resemble those of substance abuse, which can make diagnosis challenging. Many people with BPD often struggle with extremely low self-worth and may also experience a psychotic episode when under stress.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, a diagnosis of BPD requires meeting at least five of the following diagnostic criteria.
- Extreme mood swings
- Extreme anxiety, paranoia, or depression
- Episodes of anger and aggression
- Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
- Chronic feelings of emptiness
- Fear of abandonment
- Disordered eating patterns
- Impulsive behavior
- Manipulative tendencies
- Extreme changes in perceptions of others
Unstable or lack of sense of self
Borderline Personality Disorder and Addiction
Borderline Personality Disorder and addiction often share overlapping symptoms, including extreme mood swings, unstable relationships and careers, self-destructive behavior, and manipulative or deceitful actions. Alcohol and drug use can intensify these symptoms, making behaviors more erratic.
Those with BPD often turn to substances in an attempt to self-medicate, to numb the emotional pain, or cope with an intense fear of abandonment. However, substance use can intensify BPD symptoms and increase the risk of dangerous or impulsive behavior. What may have once been a manageable condition can quickly spiral into a serious dual diagnosis.
The Clinical Psychology Review journal recently said that
- 14.3% of those with alcohol dependence also met the criteria for BPD
- 16.8% of those addicted to cocaine were diagnosed with BPD
- 18.5% of those with opioid addiction met the criteria for BPD
Because BPD is already associated with a high risk of suicide, the added effects of alcohol or other substances can significantly increase that danger. For this reason, we strongly recommend a supervised medical detox as a first step. Our experienced borderline personality disorder therapists in Salt Lake City can guide you through a safe and supportive detox process to reduce symptoms and help you reclaim your life.
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Treating Borderline Personality Disorder at Recovery Ways
As part of the psychological treatment at Recovery Ways, an integrated approach is used to help patients see that there is a life beyond BPD and co-occurring drug addiction. Each patient is encouraged to participate in social and spiritual activities that foster awareness of the world around them. By learning to cope with life’s challenges our patients are better able to manage their emotions and mood swings. With these under control, it becomes easier to develop a healthier outlook on life, which in turn supports lasting recovery.
Borderline Personality Disorder is most commonly treated with a combination of medication and therapy. If not properly managed or treated, individuals with BPD may pose a risk to themselves or others. The clinical staff at Recovery Ways is fully trained to provide BPD treatment in Utah to clients and address the specific challenges their disorder presents.
As a client in our residential treatment program becomes free from BPD symptoms, along with co-occurring drug and alcohol use, the experienced medical team at Recovery Ways assists in stabilizing their mood to prevent alternating episodes of anger, depression, or anxious behavior. Guides by graduate-level therapists, clients work with a borderline personality disorder therapist in Salt Lake City to identify psychological triggers, effectively express emotions, and appropriately modify their behavior to reduce the likelihood of an episode occurring.
Utah BPD and Addiction Treatment Centers
Recovery Ways, accredited by the Joint Commission, offers treatment excellence to those suffering from substance use and mental health disorders, including borderline personality disorder, in the greater Salt Lake City area. Contact our team today to learn more about how our BPD treatment programs can help you reclaim your life.
