Individualized Drug Counseling as a Form of Substance Abuse Treatment

Individualized drug counseling is one of the major forms of substance abuse treatment, where a patient regularly sees a therapist who helps them work through their addiction recovery. This could take place in a rehab center, either inpatient or outpatient based, a therapist’s office, a hospital, or another type of facility. Many individuals receive immense benefits from this treatment option.

What Does Individualized Drug Counseling Entail?

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, this therapeutic modality concentrates on much more than just stopping the individual’s dangerous substance abuse and helping them reach abstinence. “It also addresses related areas of impaired functioning––such as employment status, illegal activity, and family/social relations––as well as the content and structure of the patient’s recovery program.”

The counselor becomes a sort of life coach for the individual, touching on every subject of their current life and how they could become happier and more stable. This also helps them avoid further substance abuse but allows them to create a life that is more beneficial overall. The counselor will sometimes refer the individual to other programs in order for them to get help with the things they need (like getting a new job, getting an education, finding a lawyer, etc.). This kind of therapy is all encompassing, and though it is normally part of an overall treatment regimen, it is also largely effective for many individuals because it can be catered to their specific needs.

How Does the Treatment Work?

Drug counseling helps patients learn strategies to cope with the daily stressors that can lead to substance abuse.

There is a strong emphasis on “short-term behavioral goals,” which helps patients focus on one objective at a time. This means you will often see your counselor for several months or longer and will need to have a fairly comfortable and respectful relationship with them. These short-term goals are mostly based on the learning and practicing of coping strategies that help the individual avoid further drug abuse in the future as well as ways to improve their life overall.

While the counselor can refer the individual to other specialists or work within their treatment program if the therapy sessions are part of a larger rehab center, many individualized drug counselors encourage that patients also attend group therapy. This can help recovering individuals meet people who are going through the same things they are and expand their social network, a reason why many individualized drug counselors recommend 12-step or other types of mutual-help support groups.

Is Individualized Drug Counseling Effective?

Because the treatment focuses on all aspects of the individual’s recovery and allows them to have a time in the day that is solely focused on their progress in an intimate way, this treatment is very effective. According to a study cited by the University of Pennsylvania (The Collaborative Cocaine Treatment Study), “Patients in individualized drug counseling reduced their cocaine use more and did so more rapidly than those” who did not receive this treatment.

Benefits of Online Substance Abuse Counseling

Begin Your Counseling Today

If you would like help finding a drug counselor or a treatment program in which you can begin your recovery, call 1-800-895-1695 today. We can help you find the best treatments for your needs.