Substance Abuse Counselor Programs

Substance abuse counselors can walk you through the recovery process. 

Various programs exist for the treatment of substance abuse. Typically substance abuse counseling programs are broken into one of three primary types which include: alcohol abuse counseling, drug abuse counseling and substance abuse counseling. While alcohol abuse counseling and drug abuse counseling differ greatly based on the type of substance that is being abused, substance abuse counseling can refer to any type of counseling that is provided to an individual who abuses a substance which may include drugs, alcohol or both.

Drug Abuse Counseling

Drug abuse counseling programs cover a range of different drug addictions which may include anything from an addiction to prescription medications, painkillers or heroin to an addiction to marijuana, methamphetamine or cocaine. Regardless of the type of addiction an individual suffers from, these substance abuse counseling programs can help the addict get back on track, regain control of their life and maintain lasting sobriety.

Drug abuse counseling takes many forms but most often includes behavior modification techniques that teach the addict not only to recognize the potential triggers of drug use but also to change the way that they act, how they respond to stress and ultimately how they live. Many times and individual who is addicted to drugs will have such a negative outlook on life and especially on life without drugs that in order for a true recovery to be made the most important change that has to be made is the conversion of the negative attitude into a positive, forward thinking process. Drug abuse counseling is provided by highly skilled counselors who can recognize the need to change the attitudes and behaviors of an individual in order to provide them with the most probable chance of recovering from addiction.

Alcohol Abuse Counseling Programs

Alcohol abuse counseling programs will often focus on a 12 step recovery program that was developed by Alcoholics Anonymous in the late 1930s. Not all alcohol abuse counseling programs are rooted on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous though. Depending on the individual needs and desires of the addict, a range of counseling techniques may be used to help the individual to overcome the negative aspects of alcohol addiction and alcoholism to make for a better life. Alcohol abuse counseling programs focus on helping addicts to completely heal from the traumas and pains of alcoholism by providing them with the necessary tools and education they need to overcome this dangerous addiction.

Various types of alcohol abuse counseling exist including individual counseling, group counseling and therapy and family counseling. Alcoholics may meet with an alcohol abuse counselor on a daily basis at inpatient treatment or they may only see a counselor once a week, bi-weekly or even monthly if they are in an outpatient treatment program. Regardless of how may times the addict works with the counselor, each and every counseling session is focused on the primary goal of helping the addict to maintain long term sobriety despite difficult situations in daily life.

Substance Abuse Counseling Programs

Various substance abuse counseling programs are offered at both inpatient and outpatient treatment centers. Some of the most common substance abuse counseling programs include 12 step recovery programs such as AA or NA but there are many other programs that are not based on 12 step recovery or faith. Depending on the type of addiction an individual suffers from and also on their own individual needs, substance abuse counseling may include marriage and family counseling, individual counseling and group counseling. Substance abuse counseling, like drug abuse counseling or alcohol abuse counseling is aimed at providing addicts with the educational support, tools and guidance necessary to facilitate lasting recovery.