Did you know that twenty million people in the United States struggle with a substance use disorder? It’s important to remember that addiction can be healthily managed- but it’s challenging.
You must choose a good addiction counseling service for you or your loved one. But how do you find the right type of counselor? If you want to learn the answer to this question, you’re in the right place.
This guide will walk you through the basics of finding a qualified counselor for your needs. That way, you can treat your substance use disorder best.
Make Sure They Offer the Type of Addiction Counseling You Need
Different types of addictions will require different treatment methods from counselors. For example, the counseling for sex addiction is much different than the type you receive for drug addiction.
Because of this, you want to ensure that the counseling service offers various services. You do not want a counselor with no experience with your type of addiction. It is important that you find the right one; patience is worth it.
Treat Co-Occurring Mental Disorders
Did you know that it is common that addiction and mental health disorders can reside in the same person? This is known as a co-occurring disorder.
It means that if you have a condition like anxiety, PTSD, or depression, you’ll be more likely to be affected by substance abuse disorder. What’s the solution?
You need to treat both of the disorders at the same time. For a time, it was considered common practice to keep addiction and mental health separate from each other as two distinct pathologies; over time, research has demonstrated that both need to be treated together rather than apart to ensure the most successful outcomes. If someone is struggling with a co-occuring disorder and is only receiving counseling for the addiction part, therapy will not be as effective than if addiction counseling was also complimented by mental health counseling (such as CBT).
Interview the Counselor
When you have a potential addiction counselor, it is important to interview him or her first. It is essential to view these professionals as shoes.
You might need to try a few pairs before finding the right one. Here are some questions you can ask to get a better idea of your counselor:
- How long have you been practicing?
- Do you have experience with my addiction?
- What’s your method?
- Are you comfortable with spirituality?
- Do you come from a family with addictions?
Asking these questions should give you a better impression of the individual. Research shows time and again that the most important factor in counseling is not the technique the counselor uses but rather the therapuetic alliance that is fostered with the client. It is important that a fit exists because it creates the foundation upon which more counseling work can be accomplished.
Go With Your Gut
If a counselor turns you off for whatever reason, go with your gut. Your intuition is one of the most critical factors.
You’re going to need to be incredibly vulnerable with this counselor. As such, you want to make sure that you can trust him or her first before getting addiction help.
Need Addiction Counseling? Contact New Convictions Recovery
We hope this guide helped you learn more about the many aspects of addiction counseling. Here at New Convictions Recovery, we find that many counseling programs only focus on the psychological aspect of addiction.
While this certainly is an essential component, we believe that focusing on a spiritual component helps connect our patients to a greater sense of purpose outside of their addiction.
If you want to learn more about this type of program, contact us today.