Substance abuse and drug counseling can put a person on the right track toward better health, wellbeing, and happiness. The goal of the treatment is to help the person achieve and maintain abstinence from the addiction. Like other chronic diseases, addiction can be successfully managed.
It’s important for the individual to find an experienced drug addiction center or counselor in Denver to help them through the process of managing their addiction. Fortunately for those in the area, there are a number of qualified professionals in Denver, CO that offer drug counseling services.
What Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Do?
In the simplest terms, a substance abuse counselor offers advice for people that suffer from drug addictions and behavioral problems. They provide support and treatment to help their clients recover from their addictions. Most counseling positions in the field require the person to obtain a bachelor’s degree and certification, but requirements vary by state and location.
What to Expect from Counseling Sessions
Often, counseling is offered in either an individual session or a group therapy session. The counseling can take place in several different types of facilities, such as healthcare facilities, private practices, community organizations, correctional institutes, rehabilitation centers, detox centers, and social agencies to name a few. People seeking counseling for their drug abuse are not limited to one specific type of counseling session or setting.
A substance abuse counselor will conduct counseling sessions and administer periodic drug tests. They will develop an appropriate treatment plan for the individual and keep detailed records of the treatment and progress. They may also implement aftercare and follow-up procedures once the client is ready to leave the treatment facility or end their sessions.
A good substance abuse counselor will be able to establish rapport with their clients, be a good listener, and not have a negative attitude toward the person’s situation or addiction. The counselor should also be organized and show up on time for their sessions.
The following behavior tasks should be performed by a credible counselor in an attempt to help the patient recover from their addiction:
- Help the patient admit they suffer from addiction.
- Inform the patient about addiction and different recovery tools.
- Monitor progress by administering drug tests and encouraging the patient to report any relapses.
- Encourage, motivate, and offer moral support.
- Help the client develop their own support system to aid in recovery.
The road to addiction recovery can be long and difficult. Every person going through substance abuse counseling is an individual and should be treated as such. Each case should be handled differently. A compassionate, experienced counselor will know how to treat each patient as an individual to help them recover from their addiction.
Choosing a counselor or treatment center is an important decision. There is no reason to go with the first option you find. Do your research and check reviews and ratings online of the counselors you are considering. People involved with Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can also be a great resource and they can potentially refer you to a good substance abuse counselor.
