Addiction is a growing problem worldwide, affecting millions of people each year. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 50% of Americans aged 12 and above have used illicit drugs at least once. Addiction can severely affect your mental health and overall well-being, particularly if not addressed.
Support from a professional counselor can help address addiction and promote your well-being. But how do you find the right counselor? This article explores addiction counseling, its benefits, and how to find an addiction counselor near you.
What Is Addiction Counseling?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction is a chronic, relapsing condition attributed to compulsive drug use despite its harmful effects. Addiction is a disease involving brain circuit changes in self-control, reward, and stress.
Addiction counseling provides people with this disorder feedback and education about their condition and the recovery process. It uses various evidence-based therapies and treatments to help people manage and overcome their situations. For instance, an addiction counselor may use cognitive behavioral therapy, family therapy, or emotional enhancement therapies for your treatment.
Addiction counseling is often used to treat chemical addictions, for instance, opioid and alcohol addiction. But it also treats behavioral addictions like the internet, gambling, and sex addiction. Addiction treatment aims at:
- Providing patients with a safe environment for discussing their condition
- Identifying and addressing existing mental health problems that lead to addiction
- Giving patients consistent support to help them overcome their addictions
- Assisting patients to develop strong and healthy coping mechanisms
In addition, addiction counseling helps patients work through cravings, overcome withdrawal symptoms, and refrain from addictive behaviors.
Benefits of Addiction Counseling
An addiction treatment program can help patients to identify situations that cause their addictions. Patients may not understand how specific relationship dynamics may worsen addiction or the impact of particular experiences on their lives. Addiction counseling gives a new perspective, allowing patients to identify situations leading to addiction.
An addiction therapist aims to help patients understand their addiction triggers. As a result, patients can learn how to avoid the triggers whenever they occur, which vary from patient to patient.
Additionally, counseling helps to equip patients with new behavioral techniques for recovery. For instance, a counselor may use cognitive behavioral therapy to help patients identify and address their destructive behaviors in recovery. This way, patients can avoid routines and situations jeopardizing their sobriety.
Your addiction therapist may also use group therapy for you to connect with others during treatment and recovery. Sharing your condition with others provides an opportunity to be supported and support others.
Addiction counseling is essential for creating new relationships and repairing broken ones. Addiction often affects your connection with friends and family members. However, counselors offer advice for regaining and creating a healthy relationship, which is essential for a successful recovery process.
Finally, addiction counseling prevents the risk of relapse. One of the aims of addiction counseling is to help patients discover sustainable ways to be active in recovery during and after a treatment program. To achieve this, a counselor may use various modalities, for instance family therapy. The influence of family members can help patients remain committed to their recovery and focus on healing from the effects of addiction.
Addiction Treatment Programs
Acknowledging addiction struggles and finding a treatment program are the initial steps toward your well-being. While effective treatment programs are based on individual needs, they ensure that you or a loved one is actively engaged in each recovery step.
Understanding the different addiction treatment programs available can help you or your loved one take the crucial steps toward sobriety and addiction recovery. They include the following:
Inpatient Treatment Programs
Inpatient treatment occurs in facilities where patients stay overnight for the treatment duration. The period of the program and intensity of treatment may vary with personal needs and could include the following:
- Group and individual therapy
- Medical supervision
- Sober living housing
- Support groups
This program is often used for patients who require serious attention for medical conditions and mental health services.
Outpatient Treatment Programs
Outpatient treatment programs allow patients to attend a treatment facility for care while still living at home. Patients visit a specialty facility several hours weekly, depending on their needs and level of care. In these programs, providers allow clients to choose their preferred appointment times based on availability and preferences.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment Programs
Intensive outpatient treatment programs are used for patients who need more support than usual outpatient programs. Additionally, these programs could be an alternative for those coming from an inpatient program. In this program, clients attend 6-30 hours of treatment a week, depending on their needs.
Partial Hospitalization Programs
These addiction treatment programs are more appropriate when a client requires more intensive care than in intensive outpatient programs. Additionally, partial hospitalization programs may be an option if an individual has a co-occurring mental illness or medical need that requires more support and supervision.
In these programs, providers offer psychological, psychiatric, toxicological, and emergency services to ensure the patient’s needs are effectively met.
Rehabs
Rehab programs offer treatment in a residential setting where patients stay in the facility for a period of time. The program subjects individuals to a safe and healthy environment that supports self-reflection, healing, and recovery.
Additionally, patients go through different recovery phases, during which their contact with loved ones may be limited.
Detoxification Programs
Detoxification programs help people suffering from substance abuse disorders safely go through withdrawal. During detoxification, medical-assisted therapies are often used to lessen the severe effects of withdrawal symptoms.
Addiction counseling covered by insurance
What to Expect from an Addiction Counseling Session
According to Alan Deibel, a behavioral therapist at Grow Therapy, “In your first session, your counselor will seek to know why you want the counseling and what you expect to gain from the session. They will then identify and address any immediate concerns and establish the support you need. Further, expect a couple of questions from your counselor to guide your entire counseling process. With the help of your counselor, you will set goals that will impact your road to wellness.”
You may also expect the following from an addiction counseling session:
Communicating Your Concerns
An aspect of addiction counseling is communicating your problem under the lead and assistance of your medical professional. Your counselor will encourage you to share your concerns and uncertainties about sobriety. They will use their knowledge to help you understand what you are going through.
Creating an Alliance with Your Counselor
Establishing a solid relationship between you and the counselor is vital for your treatment and recovery. Besides, seeking treatment is a significant decision that requires great trust between you and your therapist. Your counselor will work to ensure a solid therapeutic bond, so you know you have a stable support system.
Unique Approach to Your Experience
Each person with an addiction has their own unique experience. For instance, if your addiction led to mental health disorders, your emotions, symptoms, and behaviors may differ from others with a similar problem. Mental health professionals will handle your case individually and offer personalized treatment.
Encouraging Your Recovery Process
Denial and giving up are significant issues that may arise in every addiction treatment. You could be dealing with difficult withdrawal symptoms, cravings, low self-esteem, or even trying to find a purpose in life. Your addiction therapist will empower you to stay on the treatment plan while encouraging the need for sober living.
Developing a Relapse and Recovery Plan
Relapsing after a substance use treatment program may occur, affecting your health and, in severe instances, putting you in a life-threatening situation. So, your counselor will teach you about relapsing and its dangers and help you devise a plan to prevent it after your recovery.
Referrals to Support Groups
Counseling is not your only option for psychological help. Interacting with peers can help you understand your addiction, particularly if you have limited support from family and friends.
During your initial sessions, a counselor may propose support groups where you can interact with peers or engage in your hobbies. Your counselor may also help you connect with other resources vital for your wellness and recovery.
How Do I Find an Addiction Counselor Near Me?
Seeking professional help for addiction is essential for your recovery, and finding an addiction counselor near you is vital for effective results. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics approximates a 22% increase of counselors — behavioral disorder, mental health, and substance use counselors — by 2031. Due to this, picking the right addiction counselor for you can be somewhat overwhelming. However, with the right tips, you can quickly find one who meets your needs.
Use Grow Therapy’s Marketplace
One way of finding an addiction counselor near you is using Grow Therapy. Our website has a wide range of healthcare professionals specializing in various addictions. For instance, you can use the search filter to find a drug addiction counselor near you who takes your insurance.
When looking for a therapist, consider the following tips:
Education and Expertise: Mental health, behavioral disorders, and substance use counselors should have attained at least an undergraduate degree to practice, yet usually also have a master’s degree or Ph.D., which includes a clinically supervised internship.
Therefore, ensure the counselor has a psychology, social science, or public policy and social services degree. Also, look for a counselor with additional expertise, training, and a membership with a professional body.
License and Certifications: For counselors to be licensed, they must meet the minimum education requirements and a certain number of clinical experiences. Further, they need to complete continuing education each year and pass examinations. Be sure to check with local licensing boards’ provisions, as licensure requirements vary by state.
Treatment Approach: In addiction counseling, counselors may specialize in different types of therapy. Some may rely on psychotherapy techniques like family therapy, whereas others may use a combination of therapy and medication. Therefore, be sure to ask about the approaches used and check if you or your loved one are OK with them.
Reviews and Recommendations: Ensure you have read reviews from trusted sources and the counselor’s website. Ensure the counselor you choose has positive reviews and a reputation from past clients, and review their website to ensure they have the treatment you want.
Ask Questions
Whether it’s your first meeting at a treatment center or an online session, it’s always essential to interview your counselor. Some questions to ask an addiction counselor, as recommended by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, include the following:
- What is your availability, and how soon can treatment start?
- What’s your treatment cost, and can you accept my insurance?
- How do you decide on the treatment plan to use on a patient?
- How do you help patients with multiple mental health or medical conditions?
- What happens if a patient encounters relapse during and after treatment?
Remember to evaluate the counselor’s answers and apply your best judgment.
Find an Addiction Counselor Today
Addiction is a worldwide menace that can have harmful effects on your mental health and your overall well-being. However, seeking help from a professional can revert its harmful effects. Understanding the value of addiction counseling, what to expect from a session, and how to find the right counselor can help foster your recovery.
So, if you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional addiction counselor. At Grow Therapy, we can help you find a counselor who fits your needs.
