It is fairly common for someone with a drug or alcohol use disorder to have a co-occurring disorder like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or depression. These mental health conditions must be addressed during addiction treatment to reduce the risk of relapse. Addiction counseling programs help people work through the mental and emotional issues that led to substance use. Treatment centers typically provide group, family, and individual counseling that use techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). These services help clients learn how to better manage problems in all areas of their life.
At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston, we believe in treating the whole person, not just the addiction. Our behavioral and holistic therapies can give you a new outlook on your life to discover healthier ways to handle life situations. Call us today at 866.516.8356 to learn more about how our addiction counseling programs can help you achieve the lasting recovery you deserve.
What Are Addiction Counseling Programs?
Addiction counseling programs are similar to other types of counseling, except that the focus is on helping a person deal with problems related to or contributing to their substance use disorder. Some areas addressed in addiction counseling are:
- Discussing how addiction has impacted your life
- Exploring the underlying causes of your addiction
- Considering changes that need to be made to help you live a drug- or alcohol-free life
- Identifying triggers for drug or alcohol use
- Developing a relapse prevention plan
Addiction is not a solitary problem. It is often accompanied by mental health conditions, stress, trauma, or abuse. Addiction counseling programs factor in these contributors to substance use disorder while helping you heal. Therapists and counselors in these programs have backgrounds in substance abuse and sometimes even have personal experience with it.
What Are the Benefits of Individual Counseling for Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders?
If you attend an addiction treatment program, you may expect to go through detox and receive medications to help minimize withdrawal discomfort and cravings. Many people do not realize that behavioral therapies like individual counseling and group therapy are crucial components of addiction treatment. They may attend sessions if they are mandatory or to pass the time if they are in a residential treatment program. Still, they may not fully participate or give therapy the credit it deserves. Before you write off individual counseling, consider the benefits you can gain:
- You work with a therapist one-on-one. This provides the highest level of confidentiality so you can feel comfortable discussing topics you may not wish to bring up in the company of others.
- Your therapist gets to know you better in individual counseling sessions. The more a therapist understands your background, the more they can help you work through your struggles to overcome addiction.
- You will examine your personal addiction triggers. There are some common relapse triggers you may share with your peers in recovery. However, you can dive further into more personal triggers in individual counseling. Your therapist can help you notice connections between certain people, places, or things that can put you at risk for relapse.
- You will learn helpful coping strategies. You and your therapist explore your background, underlying causes of your addiction, and your relapse triggers. Then, they can teach you how to manage stress, your mental health, and difficult life situations in a healthier way.
Having an addiction treatment counselor to talk to about your problems can make a difference in your success in recovery. With their help, you can tackle any challenges that come up as you learn how to live your life sober.
Heal from Mental Health Concerns and Addiction at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston
If you are struggling with addiction and mental health conditions, Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston wants to help. Our dual diagnosis treatment program incorporates a range of therapeutic methods into each patient’s treatment. Call us today at 866.516.8356 with any questions you may have about how we can help you overcome addiction and co-occurring disorders.
