How can I get sober? How can I stay sober? Do I need to talk to a therapist to make sure my recovery lasts? If you recognize you have a problem and make a brave decision to stay away from drugs and alcohol, this is just the first step – sobriety and recovery are often the biggest challenges an addict encounters in their life.
In our guide we will look into the advantages of therapy for addiction, explain what kind of therapy will work best for people dedicated to long-term recovery, and point out what you can do to find the best therapy treatment for yourself.
What Is Therapeutic Counseling?
Therapeutic counseling refers to a collaboration between a mental health professional and their client with the purpose of addressing various personal concerns of the latter. Whether you are struggling with unpleasant intrusive thoughts and want to live your life free of the burdens you put on yourself or you are struggling to deal with the consequences of a life-changing accident, therapy will help you cope during the difficult period.
There is no particular reason for an individual to seek therapy – even if other people around you think it is useless and you should handle your problems on your own, make sure you talk to a therapist at least once to find out if this type of treatment can benefit you in the long run. Naturally, if you are a recovering addict, counseling can teach you how to manage stressful situations and remain alcohol or drug-free.
How Does Therapeutic Counseling Help in Addiction Recovery?
Alcohol and drug abuse counseling is essential for addicts of all ages, genders, and backgrounds – here are just a few benefits of seeking mental health support when you are struggling with addiction:
- Identify the Triggers
Whether you need to cut off certain people or rebuild your life to no longer have associations with a difficult past, staying away from individuals who bring you nothing but pain and avoiding triggering events will make you less vulnerable in the face of the addiction.
- Get Support With a Dual Diagnosis
In some cases, substance abuse coincides with a mental health disorder which makes the life of the addict two times harder. An experienced mental health professional will be able to find strategies to lessen the negative impact of both issues at the same time.
- Find Strength in Your Peers
A recovering addict may feel very lonely – especially if their addiction ruined relationships with their family and friends. With the help of group therapy, you will have an opportunity to connect with other people with similar struggles you can relate to and work together for a healthy future.
- Learn Coping Mechanisms
No matter what approach the therapist offers, mental health and substance abuse treatment is based on figuring out ways to stay away from harmful substances and channeling positive energy for a better and more fulfilling life.
- Reduce the Odds of Relapsing
It is hard to cope with addiction alone – if you give a chance to family counseling or go to therapy sessions long after you last drank or used drugs, it increases the likelihood of full recovery without any setbacks.
What Types of Therapeutic Counseling Are There?
It is important to shop around for a therapist that will give you the sense of security and strength to commit to sobriety. A mental health professional will offer you various types of therapy to deal with your addiction – here we list just a few options available for people in need of alcohol or drug abuse counseling:
| Therapy | Description |
Individual Counseling | Private discussions with a person ready to hear you out without shaming or judging you can be the first and often the main way to combat addiction. Find solace in the office of a therapist who will give you an opportunity to explore your feelings and emotions, reflect on experiences that led you to alcohol or drugs, and come up with a realistic plan to stay on the path of sobriety |
Family Therapy | Addiction harms relationships with your loved ones which is why it is necessary to resolve the problem with the support of your relatives and talk about the concerns of all affected individuals. Whether your family needs to learn how to help better you during recovery or they failed to provide you with understanding, invite them to join you during counseling after discussing the possibility with your therapist |
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) | Negative thinking patterns contribute to a person’s addiction and co-occurring mental health problems. In many instances, challenging unhelpful thoughts and modifying the behavior of the individual is the priority of therapeutic counseling – learn how to solve problems without relying on substances that bring further trouble to your life |
| Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) | Many addicts tend to exhibit self-destructive behavior and struggle to control their emotions – instead of allowing the worst parts of you to decide your next step, you will learn how to manage stress and apply self-care practices that will let you build a fulfilling future for yourself and others |
Contingency Management | If your recovery is not clouded by relapses and your therapist believes you can progress even further with extra encouragement, you can try the therapy that rewards the recovering individual for their accomplishments – this is considered highly beneficial for patients who thrive when their achievements are acknowledged by people they respect |
12-Step Program | Follow the guiding principles designed to help individuals in recovery – this is a mutual-help approach that focuses on admitting the issue, apologizing for the pain you have caused, and supporting people with similar experiences |
How Do I Find Addiction Treatment With Therapeutic Counseling?
It may be daunting to have no idea where to find therapeutic help for yourself – on top of numerous other issues that accompany addiction or the life of an addict soon after they have stopped drinking or using drugs. Here is what you should do to find suitable counseling to heal yourself:
- Pick the Right Therapist
Some mental health professionals are only qualified to counsel drug addicts while having little experience working with people who require extra support since they are struggling with mental health disorders in addition to substance abuse. If you need support with a dual diagnosis, choose someone else. Moreover, if you believe the therapist will not offer you help with a particular goal or aspiration, it is within your rights to consider going to another person.
- Consider the Finances
Individual counseling yields the best results, yet it is the most expensive type of therapy. Group therapy is more affordable – besides, you get to meet other people who will fight the addiction with you. Think about what kind of therapy suits you personally, talk to your insurance provider to ensure you can pay for the treatment, and be flexible enough to try various types of therapy – you may be surprised to learn what program fits your expectations best.
- Follow the Recommendations and Referrals
Before you search for addict counseling online, try to find a mental health professional who helped a person you know in real life. Maybe, a friend of yours was an addict that successfully recovered – ask them to point you in the direction of the therapist or the facility. In case you are undergoing therapy for anxiety, depression, or another mental health issue, ask your therapist for a referral and see who they will suggest to work on your substance abuse issues.
Get Addiction Treatment With Therapeutic Counseling
Many addicts do not ask for help – even as they dedicate themselves to recovery, there is something stopping them from getting therapy. Whether you worry about the reaction of other people or you are scared of opening up about your struggles to another person, know that addiction treatment means trying out all the means.
A therapist devoted to helping people in your situation will let you speak freely and accept your flaws without judgment – if you are taking your first steps towards lasting sobriety or you are afraid of a potential relapse, do not hesitate to seek therapeutic counseling and see the advantages of psychotherapy for yourself.
FAQs
- Can therapy help me with my addiction?
Yes, therapeutic counseling plays a crucial role in addiction treatment – the core of many substance abuse issues is emotional so a mental health professional equipped with knowledge and skills to tackle concerns of this kind will guide you as you are overcoming addiction.
- How do I stay sober while dealing with a mental health disorder?
Dual diagnosis treatment is possible – let your therapist know you are coping with two or more problems simultaneously so that the therapeutic approach and specifically medication are carefully selected to meet your needs.
- Do I have to disclose the details of my addiction to other people during counseling?
Your mental health issues just like your addiction remain confidential – mental health professionals are not allowed to share any information with third parties which means it is up to you whether to try group therapy or not.
- Can therapy support my family when I quit alcohol and drugs?
Family counseling is a great way to repair broken relationships within your family unit – if your loved ones do not understand your addiction or you hurt them with aggressive and violent behavior in the past, ask them to join you in therapy and rebuild your bond.
- Is therapy necessary for addicts who do not relapse?
If you managed to stay sober and experienced zero setbacks, congratulations; however, a session with a qualified therapist can be a great way to uncover underlying issues if something continues to bother you in your recovery.
