Treatment for substance use disorder is often multifaceted. It can involve several different approaches, such as medication and holistic practices. However, a cornerstone of treatment is therapy. These drug and alcohol counselling sessions serve various purposes in helping a person heal from substance use and can be pivotal in helping a person achieve and maintain sobriety.
At Sierra Recovery, we want to help people overcome addiction and reach sobriety.
Types Of Drug And Alcohol Counselling Available
There are many drug and alcohol support services available. One of the most widely used forms of addiction therapy is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). In CBT, a person identifies and addresses the patterns of thought that contribute to harmful behaviours such as alcohol and drug use.
A related form of therapy is Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). DBT teaches patients to develop their skills in four core modules: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Another form of therapy that can be used to treat a person’s substance use disorder is Motivational Interviewing (MI). MI is a form of therapy that uses open-ended questions and reflective listening to encourage patients to develop an intrinsic motivation to behave more healthily.
Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of therapy that can be used if a person’s substance use and mental health struggles are rooted in a traumatic event. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help people process their traumatic memories and blunt their emotional impact.
These are just some of the therapeutic modalities that can be used in a person’s rehab programme. As in any form of healthcare, the patient’s needs and how they respond to treatment inform treatment planning.
How Is Therapy Used In Addiction Treatment?
Therapy is a core component of treating a person’s drug or alcohol addiction. It can help a person at several stages of the recovery process. For example, support groups can offer someone encouragement through the detox process.
It can also be used in treatment to help a person understand the underlying causes of their behaviour, identify their triggers, and develop healthy coping skills that can be used to prevent relapse.
Therapy can also be used to address any co-occurring mental health troubles that a person may have. This can be vital as a mental health disorder can often drive a person’s alcohol or drug use.
How Does Counselling In Recovery Work?
Counselling and therapy work in recovery by helping foster a patient’s comprehensive well-being. Counselling sessions provide a safe space for people to delve into the root causes of their disorders and develop ways to cope with them without resorting to substance use.
These sessions can provide a person with the opportunity to explore their feelings. Patients can work with the counsellor to set realistic treatment goals and track their progress. These sessions can also be a place where they can find emotional support.
Group therapy can work in addiction recovery not just because of the aforementioned emotional support but also because it can be a place of learning. Some people may be further along in their recovery, and they may be able to impart wisdom or insight that can help someone else’s recovery journey.
When Counselling Is Needed
Counselling is needed when there is a problem. Ideally, a person gets therapy as soon as they start using drugs to prevent them from developing an addiction. However, that’s not always the case, and for many people, an intervention happens where other people notice there is a problem, and they are helped through that.
In that type of situation, a person has to lose control over their alcohol or drug use to the point that their friends and family feel as if they have no choice but to intervene.
Therapy can also become necessary during periods of acute crisis. There are times when drug or alcohol use can make a person a danger to themselves or others. When that happens, outside forces such as the legal system often intervene and put a person into treatment whether they like it or not.
What A Counsellor Does
Counsellors do many things in a person’s treatment for addiction. An important role that they play is to help people understand the root causes of their addiction and develop ways to cope with cravings without resorting to drugs or alcohol.
Counsellors help clients understand their issues. They help them understand why they feel the need to use alcohol or drugs, explore their options for getting better, and help their clients learn to navigate the world without the use of alcohol or narcotics. They can also help a patient be more self-aware.
Overall, counsellors listen. While getting treatment and support is needed, some people just need the emotional catharsis of having someone listen to them without judgment.
How Long Does Counselling Last?
Counselling sessions last 45 minutes to an hour, but the actual treatment will last as long as the patient needs it. Addiction is a complex disease, and treatment needs can vary wildly. Some people may need to go only a few sessions, and some may need ongoing support that can last years.
Finding A Suitable Counsellor
One of the most important parts of counselling is finding the right therapist. While in inpatient treatment, they’ll work with the counsellors that the facility employs. However, when they leave, they’ll have to find their therapist to continue supporting their recovery, and this can be difficult.
Treatment centres can offer referrals to local professionals who are near the patient, and there are mental health services available from the NHS. The most important thing, however, isn’t proximity. It’s whether or not a patient feels safe enough to work towards their recovery goals.
Confidential Online Support For Addiction
If face-to-face sessions are not available for a person, many therapists offer virtual sessions. These sessions can be beneficial, and depending on the case, there is some research suggesting that online sessions can be just as effective as face-to-face sessions.
How We Can Help
Sierra Recovery wants to help you overcome addiction. We offer various forms of care, including counselling. Our rehab centre is equipped with what you or a loved one needs to recover from addiction and live a healthy, sober life. Contact us to learn more.
FAQs
What is the purpose of drug counselling?
The main purpose of counselling is to help patients meet their goals. This can mean developing coping skills, addressing root causes, or simply offering a safe space for an emotional release.
How to support someone with a drug addiction?
Supporting a person with an addiction can mean as little withholding judgement. But practical support, such as helping them take care of themselves and helping them find treatment, can be vital for helping a person overcome narcotics or alcohol consumption.
How can we solve the problem of drug addiction?
The best way to solve this problem is empathy. All too often, people who struggle with this condition are told that it’s a matter of willpower, and they’re told to just say no or that it’s their fault that they’re in the situation they’re in.
None of this is helpful. Being empathetic and helping a person down a path toward wellness is more productive.
