Substance Abuse Counseling: Definitions, Requirements and Finding a Counselor

substance abuse counseling definition

A good counselor who truly cares about your well-being can see things from your perspective. They’ll listen https://ecosoberhouse.com/ without judgment and create a safe space where you feel comfortable opening up. Certification can be obtained from the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).

Why Do Training and Specialization Matter?

  • Others may also have the expertise to treat co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety disorders simultaneously (dual diagnosis).
  • Substance abuse treatment at The Recovery Village includes a dual diagnosis process to identify co-occurring disorders so that mental health counseling can be integrated accordingly.
  • A substance abuse counselor, also known as an addiction counselor, is a trained professional who provides support and guidance to individuals struggling with substance use disorders (SUDs).
  • Certification can be obtained from the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).

Substance abuse counselors help people experiencing substance use and drug addiction problems. They provide treatment and Halfway house support for people trying to overcome substance use disorders or addictions. Treatment plans for substance use disorders are often developed using the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) framework.

Career Opportunities

The National Institute for Mental Health’s Mental Health Information page has information about specific conditions and disorders as well as their symptoms. Finding support can be difficult, especially when there may not be others around who understand your situations and experiences. Addiction counseling is beneficial for anyone struggling with a substance use disorder and who may feel alone or lost in their struggles. Having a direct line of support who can help provide care and offer potential options to assist in reducing the stress of early recovery can be essential in maintaining long-term recovery. Biofeedback and neurofeedback therapies use active displays of an individual’s physical vital signs, including blood pressure, respiration rate, and pulse.

Treatment options

Substance abuse can affect your mental and physical health, your relationships, your performance at school or work, and your ability to take care of yourself and keep yourself safe. These skills enable substance abuse counselors to guide clients through the recovery process with professionalism, compassion, and dedication, creating a supportive environment where lasting change can take place. An addiction counselor (substance abuse counselor) provides expert care and support to people who have substance use disorder (SUD), like alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder. The Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School offers invaluable coursework and training that explores the study and treatment of substance use disorders, as well as mental health and co-occurring disorders. Work closely with full-time faculty, all of whom hold doctoral degrees and bring first-hand knowledge from years of clinical experience, research and teaching. Treatment options for seniors who do not require detoxification include ongoing counseling with the primary care physician, support groups, and support from family members.

substance abuse counseling definition

substance abuse counseling definition

The primary role of substance use counselors is to evaluate a patient’s health and recommend a treatment program to meet their needs; however, they do serve other roles in the treatment process. If you’re experiencing challenges related to substance use, an addiction counselor can help you. While it can be overwhelming to acknowledge and seek help, it’s important that you do — and know that you’re not alone. Addiction and mental health counseling is an opportunity to change lives and strengthen communities.

substance abuse counseling definition

substance abuse counseling definition

These vitals are directly connected to managing discomfort, including anxiety and stressful situations. An addiction counselor can use these therapies to help teach individuals that how they feel substance abuse counseling definition physically can impact how they feel emotionally. Through conditioning, the counselor can help improve their patient’s control over their physical and vital signs to improve their emotional regulation. After this initial assessment, the addiction counselor will begin discussing goals the individual would like to achieve and potential needs that the counselor has observed. When all these concepts are incorporated together, a treatment plan is established. The treatment plan is the list of goals that will be addressed during the treatment period.

How Effective Is Rehab and Drug Addiction Treatment?

substance abuse counseling definition

This may involve working with people with alcohol use disorders, but they may also work with clients with substance use disorders involving drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and prescription medications. CBT is a long-standing, evidence-based treatment that has proven effective in helping addiction and mental health conditions. CBT has many different forms; however, they primarily focus on the relationships between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. By learning how each interacts with the other, the individual can improve their experience by managing each thought, emotion, and behavior more effectively. This is commonly used when working through substance use triggers and negative thoughts.

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