How to Find an Addiction Counsellor Near Me

What is an Addiction Counselor?

Substance abuse counsellors offer specialized care and assistance to people struggling with a variety of mental health conditions. This usually indicates drug or alcohol addiction. However, addiction counselors can also help clients manage and overcome other types of addictions, such as gambling addiction.

Counselors must tailor treatment regimens to different needs because addiction presents many problems that vary from person to person. They work closely with those in crisis and regularly visit patients to help them recover. A successful recovery process is facilitated by peer discussion and social reinforcement, which is why many addiction counselors also provide couples and family therapy.

Approximately 20% of patients in primary care clinics, 40% of patients in general hospitals, and more than 70% of patients in urgent care or emergency care clinics have an addiction. This represents between 8% to 10% of the total population suffering from substance use disorders.

Counsellors have very soft behaviour and love to build a special bond with their clients. For example, building trust or sharing harsh realities with patients are two things counselors may need to do. It’s all part of building a healthy counselor-patient relationship.

Why is addiction counseling important?

People with addiction have difficulty working, attending classes, and maintaining positive connections with friends and family. The country is losing hundreds of billions of dollars a year due to this socio-economic problem. Unfortunately, drug and alcohol abuse claims the lives of hundreds of thousands of people every year.

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health estimates that in 2023, 15% of Americans age 18 and older will need treatment for drug abuse. According to the same report, less than 10% of those seeking treatment for substance use disorder received it. For those who have never been in treatment, as well as for the millions of people who use counselling services every day, there is a greater need than ever for qualified counsellors skilled in the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of addiction. It is essential to understand that substance abuse is a disorder and cannot be stopped abruptly. It is a widespread public health problem that affects a large portion of the population.

How Substance Abuse Counselors Help in Addiction Recovery

Substance abuse and addiction are separate problems that require different treatments despite some similarities between them.

Abuse or excessive use of alcohol, illegal or prescription drugs is known as substance abuse.

The use or abuse of a substance that changes brain chemistry is known as addiction. Drug addiction is a chronic disease.

Counselors begin working with a patient by assessing their condition to determine whether his illness falls under the category of addiction or substance abuse. They then use the following strategies to create a welcoming and encouraging environment that supports patients’ achievements and strengthens their ability to recover from setbacks.

How long does addiction therapy take?

No one wants to wait for their speedy recovery. The timeframe is different for each client. Patients and their families expect the work to take several months, if not longer. Although only about 1% of patients receive therapy in residential treatment facilities, these programs can have a length of stay of 30, 60, or 90 days and offer ongoing work after discharge. Quitting smoking is only the first step; you also need therapy to help you stay sober and change your behavior. Neuroscience has demonstrated that brain cells regain the ability to respond to endogenous reward systems and regain control over the urge to use drugs during the recovery process. Another definition of recovery is the restoration of voluntary control over substance use and the assumption of all previous responsibilities.

How to Find a Good Addiction Counselor Near Me

When searching for the best alcohol and addiction counselor near me, it is essential to do your research. You may need clarification because you may have many options. But if you go into it prepared with the appropriate questions, you’ll be in an excellent position to choose the addiction counselor that’s best for you. It is critical to select an addiction counselor who will support you throughout your addiction recovery because this is your chance to start over. Knowing that your sobriety counselor will also ask you questions before starting treatment is helpful.

Finding the right therapist can be difficult and time-consuming; some people may need help knowing where to start. It can be challenging to decide which therapist is most qualified to treat a particular problem, and the therapist’s credentials or ethics are often considered. For other people, talking to a prospective therapist over the phone for any length of time and laying out the topics they would like to address in therapy can also be difficult, impossible, or even dangerous.

Factors To Consider When Looking for a Counselor 

Finding the right addiction counseling specialist plays a significant role in your journey to recovery. Here are important factors to remember when looking for a counselor:

Experience

An experienced counselor has a broad understanding of substance abuse and treatment, allowing you to tailor your approach to your unique circumstances. They should have experience working with people who have similar experiences and problems with substance use as you.

Credentials

Always ensure that your addiction counselor is appropriately licensed to practice. In the US, substance abuse counselors must have at least a master’s degree and be approved by their state board. These credentials ensure that their education and training meet the specific standards of healthcare professionals. When you book a session through an online addiction counselor, you can rest easy knowing that all our service providers are licensed and credentialed.

Specialization

For some addictions, some treatment approaches are more effective than others. Your chances of success in rehab will increase if you choose a counselor who suits your needs.

Compatibility

Trust and compatibility is the key to your recovery. You may be more receptive to your counsellor’s recommendations during treatment if you feel comfortable with them during therapy sessions. Ask the counsellors you talk to about how they provide drug treatment services.

Additional addiction treatment services

If you want to receive additional addiction recovery services, see if the counselling provider you have in mind also offers them. Common approaches in addiction counselling include:

• Trauma therapy
• Dialectical behavior therapy
• Cognitive behavioural therapy
• Motivational interviewing
• Mindfulness-based therapy
• Acceptance and commitment therapy

Try Online Addiction Counselling Services for Speedy Recovery

 Each drug treatment provider offers specific types of drug addiction therapy. Make sure the provider you are considering seeing has counselling models that you believe will help you manage your symptoms. At Better4U, we offer several types of substance abuse counselling to meet your unique needs. We will work with you to find a counselling model that most benefits your symptoms. To learn more about our outpatient addiction treatment services, call us.