Posted by Alyssa Bishop
Coping with addiction can feel like an overwhelming challenge. No matter if you are in recovery or just starting to recover, it can feel impossible to just live. Live your life outside of your addiction. Learn to deal with stress and anxiety without turning to drugs or alcohol. No matter where you are at on this journey, you should feel proud. Proud that you are beginning the steps to overcome addiction. Or, feeling the accomplishment of being in recovery. Still, this journey is not easy.
Recovering from substance abuse is more than just detoxing. It is more than a treatment center that starts you on the process. On this new path you are forging, you also need support.
Receiving support with substance abuse problems is something many feel uncomfortable with. Your family may not truly understand, though they love you and want to see you succeed. Friends may not understand what you are going through, especially if they also drink or use drugs. Even if you have a sponsor or friends in recovery, there can still be a disconnect. Everyone’s path to recovery is going to look different. However, here are four ways you can benefit from counseling for substance abuse problems.
1. You Learn How To Effectively Manage Stress
Regardless of how or why the addiction began, many people turn to substances to help alleviate stress. It may give the temporarily relief, but in the long-term, it doesn’t solve anything. You know this, but getting around it is a whole different issue.
Working with an addiction counselor can teach you effective ways of dealing with stress. Stress in life, unfortunately, may never go away. But, what can go away is the unhealthy coping mechanism you use to deal with it. A trained therapist knows the long-term ways that help you manage stress in the moment for a better future.
2. You Get An Individualized Treatment Plan
There is no one-size fits all approach to therapy. No matter why a person goes to therapy, the way a counselor handles it is going to vary from person to person. How can this benefit you?
Counseling will ensure that you are receiving a treatment plan that is tailored just to you and your needs. A counselor makes sure that what you are learning in sessions is going to benefit you. They see you and your issues as unique problems.
3. You’ll Get Resources
Support, as said before, is crucial when recovering from addiction. You want to be heard. You need to be understood.
When you are going to individual therapy sessions, your counselor will also likely suggest support groups for you, or group therapy. Even if group therapy is not offered by the therapist’s practice, they will likely have connections in the area they can suggest to you.
Working with an addiction counselor ensures that you are getting the mental health support you need. But, when you are in a group therapy session, you’ll feel heard by peers. You’ll feel a connection with these complete strangers. Everyone’s stories may be different, but, the issues you all face are universally the same. And knowing that there are others who struggle with addiction can be empowering and make you feel not so alone.
4. You’ll Learn What Triggers You
Maybe it’s stress. It could be unresolved traumatic incidents from the past. It can be any number of things. This is another reason why working with a counselor is so beneficial for those dealing with addiction.
As trained therapists, we see the bigger picture. We notice the small things that contributed to your issues. We can help you dig deep and truly realize what triggers you to use. Counseling gives you a safe, non-judgmental space to express yourself.
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When you are beginning the steps to recovery, it’s hard not to feel alone. We are here to support you through this journey. Contact the office today to get started with recovery from substance abuse.
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