Life sometimes gets too hard and we end up making mistakes. Substance abuse can happen because of many different reasons. The most common one is that people don’t feel enough support from their friends and family and look for support in drugs or alcohol.
When we get to a point in our lives when we think that we have no one left and it’s easier to take the pill or the bottle, we need to remind ourselves that there is always someone there to help.
Luckily in the past decade, people started trusting counselors more and they realized that therapy is not a bad thing. The substance abuse counselors provide both group and individual therapy for patients that are suffering from addictions including drug and alcohol addiction. They may also help prevent addictions or assist the individuals in their recovery process.
Here we are going to talk more about the substance abuse counselors and what their role in the society is.
1Meeting with clients to evaluate their health and substance problem
The first thing that the substance abuse counselor does is that they meet with the clients to evaluate the health. There are some clients that have mental health issues and they have the substance abuse problem because of those issues.
There are many cases where the mental health issues were not diagnosed on time and they led to drug or alcohol abuse in the client’s later years.
2Identifying issues and create goals and treatment plans
The next thing that the counselor does is that they identify the issues. What led to the abuse of drugs and alcohol and how they impacted the client’s life. After the issues are identified a treatment plan can be made.
One thing you should know is that there is no easy equation that works for every person. If your friend got one type of treatment, it does not mean that the same treatment will help you. We all have different needs and different bodies. If you want the treatment to work, you have to follow your plan only.
3Teaching clients coping mechanisms
Everyone needs a coping mechanism when they are feeling down. People who have a history with substance abuse need to learn how to avoid the triggers and how to cope with their issues.
Did you know that substance abuse is actually an unhealthy coping mechanism? There are a lot of things that can replace this method and they can help you build a better life for yourself. The substance abuse counselor can help you identify healthy coping mechanisms and can help you with stress and anger management.
4Helping clients find jobs or reestablish their career
There are many people who lose their jobs and their place in society because of substance abuse. The counselor will be there to help you find another job or reestablish your career.
One thing you need to remember is that jobs come and go. Getting your health back on track is more important than any job you had. Once you are back on your own two feet, you will be able to get back your dream job or even pursue a career in a different department.
5Leading group therapy sessions
There are people who are not comfortable with individual sessions and there are some that respond better to group therapy. Jcrecoverycenter.com adds that the recovery process is not easy, but it will lead you to freedom from the addiction’s hold.
Depending on your treatment plan, your counselor will decide if you need a group or individual therapy. However, if you don’t agree or if you want to start with another type of therapy, you can talk with your counselor and voice your concerns.
6Providing updates and progress reports to the courts
There are some clients that are required to visit a substance abuse counselor by the court. In these cases, the counselor needs to provide updates and progress reports to the court.
Mandatory therapy sessions are not different than the other sessions and the clients are not treated differently. However, it will be a lot better for you if you cooperate with the counselor and let them help you.
7Other duties
There are so many duties that the substance abuse counselors have. They are basically a support system for people who have drug or alcohol problems, or they are battling an eating disorder or some other behavioral issues.
The counselors teach individuals how to modify their behavior with the intention of full recovery. These clients are susceptible to relapse, so most of the substance abuse counselors work with their clients on an ongoing base.
Some of their other duties include:
- Referring clients to support groups
- Setting up aftercare plans
- Meeting with family members and provide guidance and support
8Types of Therapy
There are a lot of different therapies that are designed to complement traditional addiction counseling sessions. Some people may need them, and some can be helped only with traditional counseling. Depending on the treatment center and the client, the therapies may include:
- Biofeedback and Neurofeedback
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Meditation, Hypnotherapy, Guided Imagery, and Mindfulness
- Holistic therapies
Have you ever felt the need to drink your emotions away? That is a perfectly normal feeling that happens to everyone, but you should always remember that your sober brain will think of better solutions. If you feel like you don’t have enough help or support from the people closest to you, you should always remember that there are people out there who are ready to help you.
If you are not feeling good about talking about your issues with people you know, you can always join an anonymous group where you can openly talk about everything that’s bothering you. There is always a solution, but you won’t find it at the bottom of the bottle.
If you feel like you or anyone you know is in need of a substance abuse counselor, you should try and act as soon as you can. They can help you fight the addiction; help you recover and they can help you solve your issues. Substance abuse is never a one-person problem, so if you don’t want to do it for you, do it for the people that love you.
