Addictions often leave people feeling lost, depressed, isolated and misunderstood. A professional counsellor aims to resolve these feelings by offering insights on the addiction and ways in which they may look to overcome it. Please read on for more information about counselling for addiction.
Counselling Techniques for Addiction
A professional counsellor may use one or many of the following techniques to assist an addict:
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
- Assertiveness Training
- Goal Development
- Problem solving skills
- Exercise and activity programs
- Positive psychology
- Interpersonal Therapy
Benefits of Counselling for Addiction
Addiction counselling should be considered when a person cannot stop an addiction on their own; when they need a substance or behaviour to get through the day; when they have hurt themselves or others or thinking about doing so; when work has been affected because of the addiction; and when the person cannot function as normal. Counselling can help in all the areas of life that have been affected by the addiction. It helps to evaluate what led you to the addiction in the first place, and helps you to find ways to stop the issues or situation from driving you into the addiction again. Counselling is also vital in helping to avoid relapse. It arms you with the tools you need to fight the addiction and lead a “clean” life.
Positive Thinking
The addict is assisted by the counsellor in identifying destructive thought patterns, and may suggest new, more positive ways of thinking that will help the individual fight their addiction.
Giving Hope
A counsellor is able to guide the patient to hope that there is truly light at the end of the tunnel, and that a brighter future is possible through an ongoing healing process.
Increased Self-Esteem
Healthy self-esteem and self-confidence is imperative in the resolution of addictions and their withdrawal symptoms. A support system is created through a developing relationship between the patient and counsellor , in which the patient is able to build their self-confidence by constantly reaffirming their own self worth.
Increase Self-Awareness
For those fighting an addiction or addictive-style behaviors over an extended period of time, verbalising, identifying and naming specific symptoms, and the events that trigger them, can bring great relief and inhibit the condition from worsening.
Supervision
A counsellor acts as the ideal supervisor to those who at are high risk from drug abuse, alcohol abuse or suicide attempts, and may act to prevent any life threatening consequences from taking place with the patient.
Choosing a Counsellor that is Right for You
When choosing a counsellor that is right for you, it is important to remember you will get the best results (for your money) with a counsellor you feel comfortable with. As with other close relationships, you should feel you could be honest with them, and feel unthreatened in the environment where the sessions take place. If you are taking prescribed medication for your addiction, it is wise to speak to your doctor about what sort of counsellor may be best for you.
Find out about other effective natural treatments for addiction.
Originally published on Jun 17, 2010
