subject: The Importance Of Counseling And Support Groups In Treating Substance Abuse [print this page] Drug users cannot beat their disorder by themselves. They will need the help of a support group and a drug abuse counselor so that they will admit that they have an issue and they will know how drugs have affected their lives as well as the individuals around them. There are several techniques that can be used for drug abusers to overcome their addiction.
Detoxification is a process that will remove the traces of drugs inside an addict's body. But this can be dangerous to the life of the sufferer as he may experience painful withdrawal symptoms. That is why this should be supervised by a healthcare professional. Often, an inpatient detox is advised to individuals who have severe drug abuse.
When an addict has passed through detox, a drug abuse counselor is needed to provide him tips for abstinence. He may undertake this process by himself or by being in a team of alcoholics. If he has psychological issues, the sessions will be supervised by a mental health specialist to ensure that all issues are addressed.
During counseling periods, counselors will use anger management, emotional expression, coping abilities and relapse cycle breaking strategies to help the recovering person to manage his life without drugs. When needed, family counseling can also be included in sessions. The reason for this is that the person's drug dependency has affected his family and to assist everyone in dealing with the problem, every family member should be counseled so that he will recognize the addiction and know how to assist the suffering addict.
Moreover, majority of counseling programs will recommend that addicts will go through the 12-step program so that they will be in a group who will give them support, fellowship and socialization. These services are important aspects to help them stay sober. They are advised to attend meetings during their first ninety days of participating in the group.
Whatever treatment methods an addict chooses to undergo,staying sober can be difficult to do but is possible when he is determined and has enough support. While reating drug addiction requires willpower, he should follow certain advice from individuals around him especially those had been into substance abuse some time in their lives. Substance abuse is a disease that must be addressed to prevent further complications.
