If you or someone close to you is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, professional treatment is critical to a stable, reliable recovery. This treatment comes in many forms. Some recovery plans include the use of medication, while others do not. However, all effective plans have one thing in common: they provide some form of addiction counseling or addiction therapy. One of the most widely used options of this type is CBT or cognitive-behavioral therapy. A well-designed cognitive-behavioral therapy program or other suitable option will help you overcome even severe substance problems.
To learn more about our many counseling programs at Northpoint Washington, reach out to our expert clinical team at 888.450.2153 today.
Why Do You Need Addiction Counseling?
When you begin your addiction recovery, you do the demanding work of reaching an initial state of sobriety. However, initial sobriety is not enough. Why? All forms of addiction have their roots in a range of underlying factors. These factors commonly include things such as:
- Damaging day-to-day thoughts
- Negative, habitual emotional responses
- Addiction-supporting behaviors prompted by your thoughts and emotional responses
You may also be affected by past traumatic events, family dysfunction, or other issues. Unless you get help addressing these issues, they will continue to exert their effects. As a result, you will remain at significant risk for a relapse.
Addiction counseling provides the support you need to change. The right kind of therapy will help you address the specific problems affecting you. Since those problems can take a variety of forms, an appropriate recovery plan may include multiple therapy options.
What Forms of Addiction Therapy Are Available?
Over the years, addiction and mental health experts have developed a broad range of therapies. High-quality therapy options are evidence-based. This means that they have gone through rigorous study and research. It also means that they are proven to help large numbers of affected people.
What kinds of therapy are used to help people affected by severe substance use problems? In addition to cognitive-behavioral therapy, the list of available options includes but is not limited to:
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Motivational enhancement therapy (MET)
- Community reinforcement
- 12-step facilitation therapy
- Contingency management
- Family counseling or therapy
Each of these therapies has its specific goals. For example, CBT helps you become aware of how your thoughts and emotions affect your behavior. It also helps you develop strategies to change how you think and respond in healthy ways. DBT has similar objectives but relies on different methods to achieve them. Motivational enhancement helps you develop your own desire to recover from addiction. 12-step facilitation prepares you to add a self-help group to your overall recovery plan.
Who Conducts Addiction Counseling?
Several kinds of addiction treatment professionals may provide counseling or therapy services. Common choices include psychologists, psychiatrists, and specialized therapists. In a properly designed program, each professional is both qualified and experienced. This is a crucial factor in treatment success.
Why? It takes extensive training to learn the ins and outs of any counseling option. Only skilled experts can do the job properly. Those experts not only have the knowledge needed to conduct therapy sessions. They also understand how the treatment they provide fits into the broader goals of your addiction recovery.
Seek Addiction Therapy at Northpoint Washington
At Northpoint Washington, we offer a full slate of addiction counseling services. Depending on your needs, you may receive counseling in a group or individual setting. Your plan may also combine these two approaches.
We carefully integrate the therapy you receive into your overall treatment plan in all cases. Our goal is to help you avoid relapse and establish a durable pattern of sobriety. You’ll receive the customized care you need no matter how severely you are affected. Call us today at 888.450.2153 to get started on your recovery journey. You can also reach us through our brief online form.