Substance abuse counseling is the engine that powers a successful recovery. Nevertheless, seeking counseling can be scary for those who have lost a part of their lives to substance abuse. The thought of sharing your challenges, mistakes, and life with a stranger can be anxiety-producing. Many find themselves asking questions like:
- Am I going to be forced into a ‘program’?
- What will people think if they really know what I think/feel/did?
- How will I pay for this?
- What if I fail?
- When will I have time?
- Are they going to ask me to be all touchy feely?
- Do I really even have a problem?
If you find yourself asking these questions, you are not alone. They are normal and valid. However, if these questions are being asked, you owe it to yourself and/or your loved ones to explore your individual story with a qualified counselor. The meeting is confidential and can provide a place for you to discover the path to your best life.
While they are helping you decide if counseling could improve your life, listen for and ask questions to ensure you are getting the kind of help that will support a successful recovery. With this in mind, here are some key factors of substance abuse counseling that lead to success.
Substance Abuse Counseling Should Treat the Whole Person
Those struggling with substance abuse are so much more than their addiction. For this reason, effective counseling will see the person. Their likes, dislikes, preferences, hopes, and dreams should guide the course of treatment options. Treatment decisions should be designed to meet the uniqueness of their lives. Variables to consider in treatment options include:
- The substance being abused: How addictive is it? Is medication appropriate to ease withdrawal? When did the abuse begin?
- Physical, mental, and emotional health
- Work commitments and schedules
- Spiritual support and well-being
- Familial health, support, and well-being
- Overall support system and relational health
- Generational influences and impact on addictive behaviors
In other words, good substance abuse counseling begins with the whole person.
Counseling Should Treat the Whole System
Many who seek treatment do so because they have come to understand how deeply their addiction affects their family. Effective counseling will serve not only the addict but their loved one. There are many benefits to this. For our purposes, we will mention two.
- Stopping the cycle of substance abuse.
- Improving outcomes for individuals throughout the family system
Serving the whole family in counseling improves family communication and parental effectiveness. Families become more cohesive and, in some cases, are reunited. In addition, commitment to maintain the course of treatment and stay involved in the recovery process shows high levels of improvement.
Substance Abuse Counseling Should Be Flexible
Just as counseling must recognize the person, it must be adaptable to the environment and life circumstances of each person. Sometimes life catches us by surprise. When this happens, treatment plans may need to be adjusted.
This is where good substance abuse counseling is so critical. A good counselor can walk you through the “what ifs”. As a result, they will help provide a strong framework to adjust to life events and crisis before it happens.
Effective Recovery Should be On-going & Celebratory
Successful recovery means an ongoing plan to optimize chances for continued sobriety. Not surprisingly, one of the top indicators of relapse is a lack of involvement or not finishing treatment. With this in mind, goals should be set that are clear, achievable, and have transition planning from one step to the next. This journey could include Detox, Intensive Outpatient Treatment, individual counseling, group support, family counseling, and crisis support.
Your counselor will work with you and walk with you to celebrate each step of your journey to a better life. You will work together to identify ‘rewards’ or celebrations that are meaningful to you and your loved ones. After all, that is the goal of substance abuse counseling. You and your loved ones embracing a future filled with hope and independence. Consequently, these markers become the joy on the journey of a successful recovery.
Effective Counseling is Easily Accessible – Through Telehealth
Our telehealth services make counseling more available than ever!
As a result, getting the best in outpatient substance abuse counseling has never been easier. Help and support services are a phone call away.
If you are seeking support for yourself or your family, we would love to visit and discuss your options. Our skilled professionals will help you determine the best level of care.
Don’t put it off any longer. Contact us today! Reclaim your life from substance abuse!
Call 502-451-1221 or email tmcinfo@themortoncenter.org today.
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