Find Substance Abuse Counselors near you

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FAQs:

What is Substance Abuse Counseling?

Substance abuse counseling is a combination of treatment and support to help people break free from drug or alcohol addiction. This specific type of therapy is often a key part of rehabilitation programs so clients can overcome substance dependence mentally and emotionally. Clients will work with a licensed addiction counselor or substance abuse counselor (titles vary among states, but the therapeutic goals remain the same) in a clinical setting to address issues like mental health, behavior patterns, and treatment options. Substance abuse counseling may involve:

- Talk therapy sessions

- Discussing the causes of addiction

- Positive coping strategies

- Developing treatment goals and plans

- Practicing skills and behaviors necessary for recovery

- Recommendations for 12-step programs or groups

What Do Substance Abuse/Addiction Counselors Do? 

Addiction counselors, historically referred to as substance abuse counselors provide expert care and support to people who struggle with a variety of mental health disorders. That usually means dependence on drugs and alcohol. However, addiction counselors help people manage and overcome other types of addictions as well, such as gambling addiction.

Addiction presents different issues that vary from person to person, so counselors need to tailor their treatment plans to address a variety of needs. They meet regularly with patients to help them recover, and they may work intensely with people in crisis. Many addiction counselors also conduct couples and family therapy sessions, using peer discussion and social reinforcement to promote a healthy recovery process.

What is Addiction?

Substance abuse disorders and addictions are chronic conditions that cause you to use drugs and alcohol compulsively. During addiction, you can continue to seek out and abuse drugs and alcohol even if you want to quit or experience negative consequences. Addiction also changes your brain chemistry, causing your brain to become dependent on drugs and alcohol to release neurotransmitters.

When your brain releases a rush of neurotransmitters, you experience intense feelings of euphoria. When you don’t use it, you can deal with overwhelming cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Addiction can also change your personality, mood, and priorities.

Signs and symptoms of addiction include:

- Spending the majority of your time and money using or acquiring drugs or alcohol

- Inability to stop or control your drug or alcohol use

- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using

- Isolating from friends or family to drink or use

- Neglecting responsibilities, such as work, to use or drink

- Feeling guilt or shame about your drug or alcohol use.

Why is Addiction Counseling Important?

Addiction affects the ability of people to work, go to school, and enjoy healthy relationships with family and friends. It's a social problem that costs the country hundreds of billions of dollars annually. Tragically, hundreds of thousands of people also lose their lives each year due to drug and alcohol abuse. There is no definitive cure for addiction. But there are evidence-based therapies that can help people manage the disease and live happier, healthier life. For many people affected by addiction, addiction counselors are the vital link to recovery. Trained substance abuse counselors are experts at understanding the underlying causes of addiction and helping patients learn coping strategies and recognize their unique triggers. Ongoing counseling also helps to prevent relapse or a reoccurrence of symptoms. For all of these reasons, the demand for highly qualified addiction counselors continues to grow.

What is Substance Use Disorder?

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a mental health condition in which a person has a problematic pattern of substance use that causes distress and/or impairs their life. SUD exists on a spectrum and may be mild, moderate, or severe. It typically involves an overpowering desire to use the substance, increased tolerance to the substance, and/or withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the substance. A person can have more than one substance use disorder at a time, such as alcohol use disorder and cocaine use disorder. Substance use disorder can significantly impact your health, relationships, and overall quality of life. It can also be life-threatening. It’s crucial to seek help as soon as you develop signs of SUD.

How to Tell if You Need a Substance Abuse Counselor or Therapist?

If you’ve suffered negative consequences as the result of your substance use or wanted to quit and haven’t been able to, you could probably benefit from seeing a substance abuse counselor or therapist. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) defines substance dependence as “a maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress” over a 12-month period. Substance abuse is defined as “a maladaptive pattern of substance use manifested by recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to the repeated use of substances.”. Some people think because they haven’t had legal problems or can hold down a job that they don’t need help. However, lacking in some areas like interpersonal relationships, health, or missed opportunities as the result of substance abuse are some of the most common reasons people finally choose to see someone.

What is an Intervention?

An intervention is a carefully planned process that may be done by family and friends, in consultation with a doctor or professional such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or directed by an intervention professional (interventionist). It sometimes involves a member of your loved one's faith or others who care about the person struggling with addiction.

What is a Psychologist?

A psychologist is a professional who practices psychology and studies mental states, perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and social processes, and behavior. Their work often involves the experimentation, observation, and interpretation of how individuals relate to each other and to their environments

Can a Clinical Psychologist Write Prescriptions?

Psychologists are able to prescribe medications anywhere in the military and the Indian Health Service if they are credentialed in Louisiana or New Mexico. Psychologists can prescribe in five states: Louisiana, New Mexico, Illinois, Iowa, and Idaho. Professional psychologists gained prescribing privileges in New Mexico in 2002 and in Louisiana in 2004. In 2014, Illinois became the third state to grant prescribing powers to psychologists who hold appropriate training. Iowa granted prescriptive authority to psychologists in 2016, and Idaho followed suit in 2017. In such cases, psychologists are required to receive proper training and are permitted to prescribe certain medicines used in the treatment of mental disorders.

Where do Substance Abuse Counselors Work?

Here are some places where a substance abuse counselor may work:

- Outpatient substance abuse centers: Outpatient substance use centers, such as detox centers, alcohol treatment clinics, and mental health clinics, provide care to patients without requiring an overnight stay.

- Individual or family private practice: A substance abuse counselor may choose to own their offices and set their schedules, providing care to people in private practice.

- Private, local, and state hospitals: When substance abuse counselors work in hospitals, they provide counseling in clinics and in emergency situations. You can usually find them working in inpatient treatment units, detox units, and outpatient departments.

- Substance use recovery facilities: Inpatient facilities, such as rehabilitation clinics, sober residences, and residential group homes, allow patients to check in and spend a determined length of time pursuing recovery under the continuous supervision of health care professionals.

- Mental health centers: Substance abuse counselors can also work at mental health centers that serve to address diverse psychological and mental health issues, including addiction.

- Schools or after-school programs: If you enjoy working with children or teenagers, schools may have substance use programs you could lead. You may work with families, teachers, and school administrators to educate students on substance use prevention and treatment strategies and provide guidance on ways they can maintain healthy lives.

- Correctional facilities: Substance abuse counselors may also work for correctional facilities, where they provide substance use and mental health counseling services in individual and group sessions.

What is a Substance Abuse Counselor?

Substance abuse counselors, also known as addiction counselors, are licensed professionals trained in psychology, human behavior, chemical dependency, and therapeutic methods. These therapists help people with behavioral disorders (primarily substance use) by talking through the complexities and causes of their addiction. Substance abuse counselors will work one-on-one with clients to develop goals and strategies for pursuing sobriety — all in a compassionate and confidential environment. People who choose a career in addiction counseling can work in a variety of settings, from hospitals and rehabilitation centers to halfway houses, prisons, and private practices.

Duties of a Substance Abuse Counselor

Here’s a job description for a substance abuse counselor. While the duties of substance abuse counselors depend largely on the environment in which they work, here are some of the typical tasks they may complete each day:

1. Meet with clients to assess their substance issues: Before a substance abuse counselor can create a treatment plan for a patient, they must evaluate the nature of the patient's addiction. Understanding what substances patients use and the factors that prompt them to seek those substances are all priorities for substance abuse and addiction counselors.

2. Write treatment and recovery plans: An important aspect of a substance abuse counselor's job is developing treatment plans to help their clients recover from substance use and addiction.

3. Identify recovery interference situations: One aspect of a substance abuse counselor's job is identifying situations that may interfere with a patient's recovery efforts. For example, if a patient comes in contact with friends who are using substances or if the patient wants to use the substance to alleviate chronic pain, these factors may affect their recovery.

4. Educate clients on coping mechanisms: During the process of overcoming addiction, patients develop coping mechanisms to help them recover. A substance abuse counselor's job is to educate their clients about various coping mechanisms they can use to develop healthy habits.

5. Conduct group therapy sessions for patients: Many mental health and substance use centers conduct group therapy sessions so patients can develop healthy relationships and recover from addiction. A substance abuse counselor may manage multiple clients during group sessions, ensuring that each patient feels comfortable and heard and that the sessions benefit them individually.

6. Develop support groups for patients: A substance abuse counselor can help their patients partner with other patients or health care professionals to develop support groups. This can empower patients to recover from addiction.

7. Track and analyze patient recovery progression: To ensure that each patient is progressing in their recovery, substance abuse counselors maintain records of their patients, assessing their status and implementing new treatment or therapy if needed. Substance abuse counselors manage all aspects of a patient's addiction, starting from the date when the patient enters the health care facility until the date of their discharge.

8. Update the legal system about patient progress: Occasionally, the courts may assign a patient to pursue addiction recovery in response to a drug-related offense. In these situations, a substance abuse counselor may need to communicate with the legal system to update them about a client's progress.

9. Help clients plan for discharge from facilities: Once a patient has completed a treatment plan in a substance use recovery facility, they can transition back to their daily lives. A substance abuse counselor works closely with patients and their families to develop plans that help them return to their lives and implement their coping mechanisms.

10. Communicate with clients and family members: In some cases, the client may be underage or under the care of their family members. In these situations, the substance abuse counselor must be skilled at communicating with the client and their family members to explain the recovery process, the client's current progression, and any advice on coping strategies.

11. Craft patient crisis management plans: Both in a facility and after the transition back to their daily lives, a patient might experience situations that prompt them to return to using substances. A substance abuse counselor helps them plan for these moments by introducing coping mechanisms, sponsors, and safe spaces.

12. Lead outreach addiction education programs: Depending on the environment the substance abuse counselor works in, they may lead or take part in outreach programs. They might visit schools, prisons, and other organizations to educate people about the effects of substance use.

13. Intervene during emergency situations: Substance abuse counselors monitor their clients and intervene during emergency situations to ensure their patients remain safe at all times. During these situations, they may collaborate with other healthcare professionals such as psychiatrists, doctors, nurses, social workers, and law enforcement officials.

14. Work with clients to find or maintain employment: Substance abuse counselors may engage in vocational counseling to help their clients find or maintain employment or reestablish their careers. They may collaborate with other mental health professionals and career centers to assist their patients in this matter.

The 12 Core Functions in Substance Abuse Counseling

These core functions are simply the types of tasks that are required day-to-day in the world of addiction counseling. If you’ve ever wondered what addiction counselors do specifically, these core functions should give you a solid foundation. Each function is based on a set of global criteria, and these 12 core functions are used by addiction professionals around the world. Let’s take a quick look at each function.

1. Patient Screening

Before a patient becomes a patient in any type of addiction counseling program, we must first determine if the patient is a good match for the program in question. You also will evaluate your patient for signs of alcohol and drug use and also work to identify any co-occurring disorders. You will find that co-occurring disorders are extremely common with many of your patients. These include medical, psychiatric, and physical conditions. For instance, you might have a patient with bipolar disorder and drug addiction. You might have a patient with depression and addiction, or perhaps chronic pain and addiction. All of these conditions need to be identified and then addressed to treat the whole person.

2. Intake

Once you determine via screening that a patient is a good match for your program, the admissions or intake process begins. Every program or facility will have its own schedule of paperwork that will need to be completed during this process. This will include signed consent forms, as well as information about items such as insurance, emergency contacts, the initial patient assessment, and more.

3. Orientation

During this process, you help your patient understand the program itself. Each program is unique and what you discuss during this part of the process will include everything from rules of client conduct to treatment costs to your client’s rights and more.  For an inpatient facility, you might discuss rules, quiet hours, daily schedules, etc. With an outpatient program, you will provide information about daily services and hours of operation, and so forth.

4. Assessment

This is similar to screening, but it dives much deeper into your patient’s history. You’ll want to gather information about your patient’s history with drugs and/or alcohol as well as focus on your patient’s problems and needs as well as their strengths and weaknesses. From there, you will develop a solid evaluation of the patient’s substance abuse and any co-occurring disorders.

5. Treatment Planning

As you can see each of the core functions builds on the previous function, and once you have completed a detailed assessment, it’s time to work on planning your patient’s treatment. Of course, the patient will be involved during each step of the process, as it’s crucial that they understand the treatment plan and how and why the addiction counselor chose this specific plan. The plan will need to identify the problems your patient faces and prioritize each of these issues. Short-term goals and long-term goals will be created and agreed upon. Treatment methods will be discussed as well as the types of resources available to your patient to support them through the treatment and recovery process.

6. Counseling

Students are sometimes surprised about how much paperwork and planning are involved in the addiction counseling process, but all of that paperwork is crucial to help a patient manage long-term recovery. The counseling process, as you can see, tends to occur after several steps have been taken. Counseling can involve many different options, including individual counseling, family counseling, and group counseling. There may be different types of therapy involved, such as cognitive behavioral therapy to help patients deal with all of their issues.

 7. Case Management

As a certified addiction counselor, you will create a plan for each patient that includes a variety of services. This might include finding 12-step programs after a person leaves a rehab facility or perhaps identifying doctors that can help with various physical and mental illnesses. Each case will be unique and designed to help your patient achieve long-term sobriety and also to help them deal with all of the issues or problems they might be facing.

 8. Crisis Intervention

A crisis can occur at any point during rehab or recovery, and steps will need to be taken as quickly as possible to mitigate the crisis. This could be an emotional crisis during rehab or perhaps an issue during recovery but having a crisis plan can help your patient work through the crisis and get back to a healthier state of mind and body.

 9. Client Education

Many patients don’t understand their addictions or other problems they might be facing. They also often aren’t aware of the many resources out there that are available to them. Part of the job of an addiction counselor is helping to educate your patient about support services as well as about addiction in general.

 10. Referral

In some ways, this is part of case management. The important aspect of this core function is identifying areas where you cannot meet your client’s needs and finding appropriate services to help them. For instance, perhaps they need help with bipolar disorder or perhaps they have been diagnosed with an eating disorder or diabetes and need nutritional support and advice. Finding professionals that can help meet all of the needs of your client is one of the best ways to ensure that recovery is successful.

 11. Reporting & Record Keeping

Paperwork is a huge component of addiction counseling, and you will be maintaining a variety of records that include assessments, treatment plans, discharge summaries, and a variety of reports. Not only does all the paperwork need to be carefully organized, but patient confidentiality is also crucial.

12. Consultation With Other Professionals

This includes working with other professionals at your facility as well as contacting and collaborating with outside professionals. While you will gain many important skills during your education and training, there will be times when issues are present that are beyond your own skills or knowledge. In these cases, consultation with others is a crucial step in the process of addiction counseling.

What are Substances?

Substances are drugs that have addictive potential. They can be prescription drugs or non-medical drugs and include:

- Alcohol.

- Caffeine.

- Cannabis (marijuana).

- Hallucinogens, such as PCP and LSD.

- Hypnotics, sedatives, and anxiolytics (anti-anxiety drugs), such as sleeping pills, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates.

- Inhalants, such as paint thinners, aerosol sprays, gases, and nitrites (poppers).

- Prescription and non-prescription opioids, such as codeine, oxycodone, and heroin.

- Prescription and non-prescription stimulants, such as Adderall®, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

- Tobacco/nicotine, such as smoking cigarettes and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes or vaping).

Techniques Used by Substance Abuse Counselors

Substance abuse counselors use various techniques to help clients overcome substance use disorders and maintain sobriety. These techniques may include:

1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a treatment approach that focuses on changing thoughts and behavior patterns.2 Substance abuse counselors often use CBT techniques to help clients recognize the inaccurate thoughts and feelings that help maintain addiction. They also use CBT to teach new coping skills that help people find new ways to deal with cravings, relapses, and stress.

2. Motivational Interviewing

Substance abuse counselors may also utilize an approach known as motivational interviewing to help people with addictions find the motivation to make changes in their lives.3 Using this strategy, counselors offer empathy and support while encouraging clients to see the discrepancy between where they are now and where they want to be.

3. Substance Abuse Education

Professionals who work in substance abuse counseling also work to educate people about the effects and risks of drug and alcohol misuse. Psychoeducation is often conducted in a group therapy setting and helps participants learn more about the effects that substances have, the related behaviors that often contribute to drug use, and the potential consequences. The goal is to help people gain greater self-awareness and an understanding of the community resources and treatments available to help them recover. Through education, people are often inspired to enter treatment on their own.

Warning Signs of Drug Abuse and Addiction Disorders

While specific symptoms that are used to diagnose drug abuse and addiction disorders are described below, warning signs that you or a loved one suffer from a drug-related problem include the following:

1. Having blackouts or loss of memory

2. Mood problems like irritability, sadness, or mood swings

3. Repeated arguments with loved ones

4. Repeatedly using drugs to cope with problems

5. Physical symptoms when abstaining from drug use

6. Physical problems due to drug use

7. Repeatedly using more drugs or using drugs for longer than intended

8. Spending less time on life obligations due to drug use

9. Need more drugs to get high than the one used to

Risks of Substance Misuse

When society determines that using certain substances is harmful, it places legal prohibitions on their use. This is to both protect individuals' well-being and shield society from the costs involved with related healthcare resources, lost productivity, the spread of diseases, crime, and an increased risk of homelessness (although the impact of criminalization has been open to considerable controversy).

For many legal substances, the line between use and abuse is not clear. Is having a couple of drinks every day after work to unwind use or abuse? Is drinking two pots of coffee in the morning to get your day started to use or abuse? Is smoking a pack of cigarettes a day substance abuse?

Generally, in these situations, only the individual can determine where use ends and abuse begins. The question to ask is whether the use is causing harm or resulting in:

1. Physical health problems: Substance abuse can increase the risk of physical health issues including heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

2. Mental health problems: Substance use often co-occurs with mental health problems, but it can also worsen or contribute to the onset of some conditions as well.  

3. Risky or dangerous behavior: Substance use can increase the risk of risky behaviors, such as driving while intoxicated and engaging in unprotected sex.

4. Legal risks: Using illegal substances means an increased risk of legal consequences, which can include arrest and incarceration.

Tips for Preventing Substance Abuse

While there is no one way or guaranteed way to prevent someone from abusing drugs and alcohol, there are things that everyone can do to prevent substance abuse.

Here are the top five ways to prevent substance abuse:

1. Understand how substance abuse develops. Substance abuse starts by:

- Using addictive drugs (illicit or prescribed) for recreational purposes

- Seeking out intoxication every time you use

- Abusing prescription medication

2. Avoid Temptation and Peer Pressure. Develop healthy friendships and relationships by avoiding friends or family members who pressure you to use substances. It’s often said “we become most like those we surround ourselves by,” meaning if you surround yourself with people who abuse drugs and alcohol you are more likely to as well. Peer pressure is a major part of life for teens and adults. If you are looking to stay drug-free develop a good way to just say no, prepare a good excuse or plan ahead of time to keep from giving in to peer pressure.

3. Seek help for mental illness. Mental illness and substance abuse often go hand in hand. If you are dealing with a mental illness such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder you should seek professional help from a licensed therapist or counselor. A professional will provide you with healthy coping skills to alleviate your symptoms without turning to drugs and alcohol.

4. Examine the risk factors. Look at your family history of mental illness and addiction, several studies have shown that this disease tends to run in the family, but can be prevented. The more you are aware of your biological, environmental, and physical risk factors the more likely you are to overcome them.

5. Keep a well-balanced life. People often turn to drugs and alcohol when something in their life is missing or not working. Practicing stress management skills can help you overcome these life stressors and will help you live a balanced and healthy life.

Develop goals and dreams for your future. These will help you focus on what you want and help you realize that drugs and alcohol will simply get in the way and hinder you from achieving your goals.

Share these tips for avoiding and preventing substance abuse with your friends and family and help promote a healthier lifestyle free from addiction.

Qualities of a Good Substance Abuse Counselor

In the field of substance use counseling, important soft skills include a combination of personality traits, communication abilities, and the ability to pick up easily on social cues to improve communication with others. These include:

1. Confidence

You will encounter a variety of personalities and must regularly adapt to new challenges – confidence will allow you to navigate difficult situations. Confidence is key to taking control of the conversation and guiding it down the right path

2. Great listening skills

Working one-on-one with clients to better understand their experiences help you determine the most effective treatment methods. Engaging with clients about their past experiences, family history, and other unique factors helps you make better recommendations. Active listening helps clients feel heard, understand, and validated – this is critical in providing effective therapy to clients.

3. Empathy

While you may not be able to personally relate to the experiences of clients, empathizing with their experiences help you form meaningful connections. Expressing empathy makes it easier for clients to open up and engage with you without fear of feeling judged

4. A desire to help others

Sincerity is critical in providing effective treatment – a client will know whether or not you are truly engaged with them. Substance use counseling is hard work and not for the faint of heart – having a strong desire to help people in addition to other interpersonal skills makes the job incredibly rewarding

5. Stress management skills

Substance use counseling is a tumultuous line of work. You will encounter a wide variety of personalities who struggle with numerous mental, physical, and emotional conditions. It may be difficult sometimes to reach your clients and there will be successes and pitfalls – learning how to manage the stress that will undoubtedly accompany the job will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed or burned out

6. Ability to maintain boundaries

Throughout the recovery process, you will develop meaningful relationships with your clients. There may be situations in which you will go above and beyond to help them; however, a lack of boundaries will lead to the development of enabling behaviors.

While you may be in a situation where you help your clients by driving them to interviews or ensuring they are able to make recovery meetings, you will need to ensure firm boundaries are set. It can be easy to get caught up in wanting to help someone succeed, but you must establish boundaries to protect the integrity of your relationship and ensure you are not taken advantage of.

7. Personal recovery

While it is not required to be successful as a substance use counselor, those who have experienced their own road to recovery can often connect with those in treatment in a way other people cannot. Experiencing the recovery process can make it easier for you to relate to those you are working with and provide valuable insight into how to manage triggers and avoid pitfalls. Learn more about recovering addicts becoming counselors.

8. Social skills

Developing meaningful relationships with your clients is critical to success and establishing trust early on can help you connect more easily. In substance use counseling, it is important to be non-judgmental and to avoid criticizing mistakes from a client’s past. Being understanding and empathetic, even if your client has experienced relapse, will make it easier for your clients to open up to you and will be beneficial to their recovery experience. There must be a balance, however, in which you still hold your client accountable for behaviors in order to enable success.

Finding a Substance Abuse Counselor Near Me

There are a few common ways to find an addiction counselor for in-person or teletherapy treatment. You can do a simple Google search to find local practices, call a toll-free hotline or seek a recommendation from a trusted friend or family member who’s been in your shoes. Calling a national helpline can be a good place to start if you’re unsure where to look.

Sources:

Hazelden Betty Ford

Very Well Mind

The Recovery Village

Wikipedia

Very Well Mind

Northern Illinois

Mayo Clinic

Cleveland Clinic

Medicine Net

Indeed

Sober College

Sea Change Recovery

PVAMU

 

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.