The average person with a drug or alcohol problem definitely needs drug counseling. More often than not, co-occurring disorders are at the root of substance abuse issues. But did you know that not all therapies perform the same function? In fact, flexible approaches to working with program participants are an essential ingredient to success in treatment!
Getting to the “Why” in Rehab
Why does someone seek out a rehab facility? Typically, the goal is to recover from a substance abuse problem. With the physical part of the addiction already treated at a detox facility, there’s now the psychological component. And there’s no better way to deal with emotional and psychological aspects of addiction than to use drug counseling.
Compassion, Flexibility, and Customization are Hallmarks of Expert Drug Counseling
Whether you’ve done this before or this is your first rehab experience, the treatment you receive must fit your particular needs. It’s tempting for a therapist to fall in the rut of providing modalities that worked with other participants. However, this setup won’t necessarily work for you. That’s why the experts at Steps to Recovery work with various therapeutic approaches such as:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy, which allows participants to hone in on (and change) destructive thought, feeling, or behavior patterns
- Dialectical behavior therapy that allows individuals to accept but overcome unwelcome thoughts and feelings
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy is a functional method for overcoming traumatic memories as well as PTSD
- Motivational therapies can help program participants buy into the need to change with positive reinforcement
- Family counseling runs the gamut from behavior modification to addressing codependency and relapse education, depending on individual needs
Frequently, a therapist will base an initial approach on the intake interview. By getting to know you, it’s possible to determine a program that most likely works well for you. But because counseling is a collaborative effort, there are times when it turns out that a participant needs something different. It’s up to the therapist to change course in favor of a treatment approach that focuses on newly identified needs.
Delivering Drug Counseling in a Way that Suits Your Needs
It isn’t enough to find the right therapeutic method when addressing your addiction and thereby directing recovery efforts. Another aspect is the need for the right program setting that delivers it. Case in point is residential drug and alcohol rehab. The inpatient setting is ideal for the participant who simply needs to get away from it all.
Even if you have an excellent home life and a supportive family, sometimes you just have to get away. The controlled setting of the inpatient drug rehab experience removes triggers and challenges you might not even know exist. Choose from short-term or long-term residential rehab to ensure that you get the care you need right from the start. If you require help with daily life skills, choose this intensive setting as the delivery vehicle for your counseling.
For more moderate addiction problems, drug counseling at the intensive outpatient level can work well. Select this model if you are able to keep up with your job and family responsibilities while attending outpatient rehab. If you’re in a codependent relationship or suffer from a severe or repeat drug problem, a residential setting would be better. Usually, it’s best to discuss these options with an intake counselor who helps you with the decision making process.
Do You Need Expert Drug Counseling?
If you or a loved one struggle with a substance abuse problem, don’t go to the bookstore’s self-help section. You need hands-on drug or alcohol counseling that provides interpersonal as well as group support. At Steps to Recovery, you connect with dedicated therapists who dig in there with you and help you heal. Call 267.719.8528 right now to be on your way to a new drug-free way of living.
