While many people may believe that treatment for a substance abuse problem is just detox for drugs or alcohol to address physical dependence and withdrawals, effective treatment is so much more. A detox may be the first step, but after detox comes a time of transition and education for the recovering addict. One important component of this recovery time is addiction counseling, and at our Clearbrook rehab locations, our patients partake in a variety of addiction therapies in order to ensure that all of their needs are met.
What Is Substance Abuse Counseling?
Substance abuse counseling includes a professional counselor who works with individuals with substance use disorders, mental health disorders, and other similar conditions. The goal is to help them regain their mental well-being and healthily cope with stimuli that may trigger negative behaviors and symptoms. Addiction counselors spend one-on-one time working with patients to map out treatment plans and educate them on addiction.
While you may have completed the detox process, you still have a long way to go in terms of addiction recovery. Not only is there a high risk of relapse, but there are also plenty of other secondary issues related to substance abuse that need to be addressed. Substance abuse counselors work with patients to create safe and comfortable environments to address all of these problems and prepare the patients for life outside of treatment.
During counseling for addiction, patients are able to explore the psychological and social factors that can lead to relapse and learn how to not only recognize these triggers but also how to address them. This can help reduce the patient’s risk of relapse and lead to long-term success in recovery.
With counseling, patients are also given a chance to reflect and explore the root causes of their addiction and any other underlying issues that could be contributing to their substance abuse problem. Not only will the patient become more self-aware, but they will also learn how to cope with their issues without turning to drugs or alcohol.
Individual Drug and Alcohol Addiction Counseling
At our Northeast addictions treatment center, every patient is assigned a certified addiction counselor to manage their recovery. These addiction counselors start by evaluating the individual’s physical, mental, and emotional state to determine the appropriate treatment plan to meet the patient’s individual needs.
From here, the counselor will work with the patient throughout treatment and deal with any family relationship problems, legal issues, and employer contact. This addiction counselor will also be responsible for creating an appropriate aftercare plan for the patient once they complete their treatment.
One-on-one therapy is beneficial for numerous reasons. While engaging in individual therapy, you will begin to establish a relationship with your primary counselor. This relationship creates an environment of trust that can help the patient open up. Not only do our substance abuse counselors have experience working with patients struggling with various substance use disorders, but many of our primary counselors are in recovery themselves or are family members of people in recovery.
Their personal experience gives them a better understanding of what the patient is going through and creates a better sense of comradery with the patient. Individual therapy for addiction also allows patients to discuss issues that they may not feel comfortable talking about in a group. In addition, individual therapy is helpful for those who are suffering from a mental illness alongside their addiction because a disease such as depression or bipolar disorder needs special treatment that is separate from counseling for addiction treatment.
Group Counseling for Drug Addiction and Alcoholism
Along with individual therapy sessions, throughout the day, patients in our residential addiction treatment and other programs will meet in a myriad of different therapy groups. Substance abuse group counseling is essential in the treatment process because it allows the patients to interact with others who are going through similar struggles. While establishing a relationship with their counselor is important, many times, it is most helpful for a patient to hear how their peers feel and what they are doing to overcome those problems.
This builds an overall sense of community and support that can boost the patient’s recovery. Group therapy also enforces the fact that you are not alone in the way you feel. In order to best meet our patient’s needs, we offer a multitude of group addiction therapy programs, including small groups, grief support, groups divided by gender, clinical lectures, detox/beginner groups, and art and music therapy.
12–Step Philosophy
The 12-step program originates from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), a worldwide alcohol recovery support group that has expanded to Narcotics Anonymous (NA) to include individuals with other types of drug use disorders. Our 12-step meetings are part of our aftercare services and are designed to continually support clients as they transition to sober lives after rehab.
Members of the different 12-step recovery groups come to Clearbrook multiple times per week to host meetings for our patients. This allows our patient community to interact with people who have gotten through treatment and adopted the 12-step process of life. It also shows our patients that recovery is possible if you are willing to put forth the strength and do the hard work that is required to stay sober.
Family Addiction Counseling
Our addiction treatment facilities also offer counseling for families of addicts. While individual therapy focuses on the thoughts, behaviors, and emotions of one person, family therapy focuses on relationships, aims to understand and validate the impact of drug or alcohol use on all family members, and focuses on fostering repair and closeness with family members.
An addiction family therapist, along with the family, will explore how addiction works and impacts the individual, help them work through the impact that person’s addiction has had on their lives, and teach them how to be supportive of the addict throughout their recovery.
Finding Addiction Counseling Near Me
Our addiction and mental health counseling services offered at both Clearbrook Pennsylvania and Clearbrook Massachusetts have successfully helped individuals lead a happier and healthier lifestyle in recovery. We can help you, too.
For more information about our addiction counseling services or other levels of addiction treatment, contact Clearbrook Treatment Centers today.
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Alumni Testimonial
“Throughout my addiction, I always felt alone. I thought no one understood what I was going through and felt as though I was always being judged. As my addiction progressed, I began to isolate more and more. I couldn’t stand the person I was becoming, so I hid from the world. Before I knew it, I had no one else around. I was alone. When I first arrived at Clearbrook, I was terrified. I didn’t know what to expect. Then the most surprising thing happened. The other patients and staff welcomed me with open arms. The bond I created with my counselor and other staff was absolutely amazing, but also surprising, because for so long I struggled to really trust anyone. I feel as though I have gained tremendous knowledge about my disease and recovery in the different groups I attended. It also allowed me to practice getting comfortable talking about my feelings in front of other people and made meeting new people in AA much easier. Going to Clearbrook is by far the best decision I have ever made. They treat you like family and I have made friendships that will last a lifetime. No matter where I go in life or what it has to offer, I know that I am not alone and I’ll always have a place to turn.”
