Substance use counseling promotes successful, long-lasting recovery.
Evidence shows that the most effective approach to treating addiction is a combination of medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and counseling. Millions of people suffering from substance use disorder have found their way back to a healthy life with this combination. Counseling with addiction treatment is a mainstay to ensure a solid foundation for a successful recovery. Whether one-on-one or in a group, these sessions address the role that behavioral components, emotional health and psychology often play in substance misuse.
Detoxing from opioids and other substances is just the beginning of recovery. Counseling from a trained mental health provider ensures you have the tools you need to manage cravings and avoid relapse. Keep reading to learn why counseling is critical in addiction recovery so you can rebuild your life.
Understanding Why Counseling is Critical in Addiction Recovery During Early Treatment
Addiction is more than a physical or chemical dependence on drugs or alcohol. Even after those substances are out of your system and you are technically withdrawal-symptom-free, you may still struggle with cravings. A craving is an overwhelming desire to use a substance that puts you at high risk for relapse if you are not prepared.
A variety of psychological and social factors can be powerful triggers that rouse cravings and lead to relapse:
- External triggers: These are the people, places and things that are associated with past substance misuse. External cues can be environmental, such as visiting an old neighborhood, or social, like spending time with friends who still use.
- Internal triggers: These are the thoughts, feelings, sensations or even habitual behaviors that trigger a craving. Stress, especially sudden crises, is often the most potent internal trigger.
- Situational triggers: Triggers can also arise due to a specific situation. A bad breakup or unexpected visitors are situations that can put you at risk if you are not prepared.
Triggers are an ongoing part of life in recovery. They can create a strong urge to use again. Counseling teaches you how to identify triggers so that you can roll with whatever life throws at you — without substance misuse.
Another reason why counseling is critical in addiction recovery is because it lends support. Particularly in early treatment, people are learning to break away from toxic social lives and behaviors. It can be scary at first, especially if you do not have a support network like friends and family.
Speaking with people who understand your situation and the nature of addiction as you begin treatment can provide immense encouragement. In fact, some MAT programs require counseling to complete treatment. Evidence shows that patients who attend behavioral therapy have a higher chance of long-lasting recovery.
Different Types of Therapy for Substance Use
Many different types of counseling can help people in addiction treatment and recovery. Everyone responds to different methods differently. Some find more success with certain programs than others.
Here are just some examples of the different approaches to counseling patients with a substance use disorder:
- Dialectical behavior therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Contingency management
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
Along with these methods, you will also have the chance to do group and individual counseling. These options are incredibly valuable depending on your situation and what you want to work on most. As you get more comfortable in counseling, you will know which methods and formats work best for you.
Role of Behavioral Therapy in Opioid Addiction
A variety of counseling therapies treat opioid use disorder and other types of addiction. Between individual counseling and a group counseling experience, no one method is better than another.
Likewise, there is not a single approach that works for everyone struggling with opioid use disorder. The best addiction treatment plan considers your addiction and individual needs. It can provide you and your recovery journey with many benefits, including:
- Pinpointing triggers and stressors
- Teaching you how to deal with triggers and cravings as they arise
- Becoming an essential part of your support system
- Addressing potential behavioral, emotional or mental causes for addiction
- Instating important coping and recovery skills
- Encouraging and motivating you toward change
Consider substance use counseling to be part of your essential recovery toolkit. Emotional support in treatment should not be understated. Recovery is a transformational journey that will take you through ups and downs. Discussing your experiences with a professional will bring you many benefits along the way.
Benefits of Family Therapy in Substance Use Treatment
There are endless benefits of family therapy during addiction treatment. Everyone’s family has different needs and can use therapy how they need it. However, here is a list of ways family counseling in substance use treatment can help you:
- Feel less isolated: Communicating with people who understand your situation can help you feel more confident in your progress.
- Gain support from loved ones: When friends and family see that you are putting in the effort to improve, they are more likely to support you.
- Enhance communication skills: Speaking about your substance use disorder will make it easier to open up to others and tell your story.
- Learn more about yourself: Discover your abilities while you navigate this new healing experience.
- Set boundaries: Learning to say no to people who threaten your recovery is crucial.
- Rebuild trust: Improve relationships with the people who matter to you most with the help of a mediator.
- Resolve conflicts: Mend the various problems addiction has caused in your life.
- Repair trauma: Discover and heal unresolved trauma that led to your substance misuse.
- Prevent relapse: Work through relapse prevention strategies to safeguard your recovery.
There are many more benefits of counseling during your recovery journey. You will discover more and more the longer you work on yourself towards your goals.
Learn Why Counseling is Critical in Addiction Recovery with HCRC
When you choose Health Care Resource Centers (HCRC) for your addiction treatment, you will reap so many benefits. Not only will you excel with effective, medication-assisted treatment, but also professional counseling. Counseling empowers you to overcome the cravings that accompany opioid addiction so that you can live a fuller, healthier life.
Learn more when you contact HCRC online or give us a call at 866-758-7769.
