Types of Addiction Counseling
Addiction is a terrible disease that affects millions of people every day. Unfortunately, most people who suffer from addiction never get the help they need. In 2017, over 20 million Americans suffered from some sort of substance abuse issue. Only around 2 million people actually got the help they needed to combat addiction.
Everyone in life is different and the same goes for addiction. Sure, multiple people could be suffering from the same type of substance abuse but no two people ever truly suffer from the same addiction. That’s why, when it comes to addiction treatment centers in Los Angeles, each addiction counseling program is custom-made to tailor to the exact needs of each person.
On this page, we will take a look at some of the different treatment options that we offer at CNV Detox so that you can best decide which type of addiction counseling will be best for you.
Individual Therapy with a Substance Abuse Counselor
Individual therapy takes place in a one-on-one setting with you and your therapist or substance abuse counselor. One of the main types of addiction counseling that you will participate in during treatment is individual therapy.
The biggest component of all types of treatment is addiction counseling/therapy modalities. Therapy allows both you and the therapist to really get to the bottom of your substance use disorder and learn about the mental health side of your addiction. Counseling focuses on teaching those in recovery the skills needed to get and stay sober as well as how to navigate various situations without turning to drugs or alcohol.
During individual therapy sessions, you and your therapist can discuss things that you might not have been able to bring up in group therapy. There might be things that just pertain to you or even things that you don’t feel comfortable addressing in a group setting.
That is exactly what individual therapy is for. It is an intimate and safe setting where you and your therapist can discuss what lead you down the path to addiction and work on ways to avoid those temptations in the future.
Behavioral therapy is a popular technique that is used during individual addiction treatment. When it comes to behavioral therapy the two most widely used types are CBT (Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy) and DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) for addiction.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Addiction Counseling
Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on learning to reduce problematic behavior associated with substance abuse. A key component of CBT is anticipating situations where temptation might arise and applying certain strategies, such as avoidance or self-control. This is done in order to prevent relapse when addiction treatment is completed.
During cognitive-behavioral therapy, the patient learns how to recognize potential situations that could cause problems before they arise and do something to prevent them by using a variety of skills that they learn during treatment.
By learning what causes the temptations, they can put themselves in better situations to avoid the temptations altogether. They can recognize cravings and other triggers and develop strategies for handling those situations.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy in Los Angeles has been proven to work in addressing the following addictions:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamine
Group Therapy in an Addiction Counseling Program
Along with individual therapy, group therapy is also an important part of an addiction counseling program. Group therapy and individual therapy tend to complement each other. A lot of the topics discussed in group therapy will be expanded upon during individual therapy sessions.
Group therapy sessions take place in a group setting where one therapist will meet with several patients at the same time. During group therapy, you will typically meet with other people who are dealing with similar issues.
This will allow you not only to share your issues, but it is also a great opportunity for others to share how they handled a situation similar and provide advice and support.
When it comes to group therapy, there are five different types that are commonly used:
- Behavioral therapy groups
- Support groups
- Psychoeducational groups
- Skills-development groups
- Interpersonal process groups
Family Therapy for Substance Use Disorder
When someone suffers from substance use disorder, it not only affects them but also those around them. The hardest-hit group tends to be the person’s family as that is usually who they are spending the most time around. As a result, the family experiences the most difficult sides of addiction and substance abuse.
That’s why family therapy is such an integral part of the treatment process. Just like the person suffering from the addiction goes to therapy to address their issues, the family of that person also needs help.
Family therapy offers the opportunity to talk to a substance abuse counselor about their issues related to addiction. They will also learn ways to help and support their loved ones when their treatment is over. The goal of family therapy is to bring clarity to all relationships and to foster repair and closeness if family members choose.
Family therapy offers many benefits, including:
- Helping your loved one successfully get through treatment
- Learning more about addiction and its effects on the family
- Understanding how addiction counseling and treatment works
- Learning what to expect when treatment has been completed
- Encouraging family member to voice their feeling and concerns
- Learning how to provide your loved one with the support they need after treatment
- Easing feelings of fear, anger, stress, and confusion related to the addiction
- Learning how to develop skills and strategies to help a loved one stay sober after they have completed treatment
- Improvements in family communication skills
- The opportunity to address any mental health issues within the family system, such as depression or anxiety, which can hamper family communication and contribute to relapse
Holistic Therapy for Addiction Treatment
Over the years, doctors and therapists have developed some new, non-traditional treatment methods for those suffering from addiction. This is because some people may respond better to non-traditional forms of addiction counseling. As a result, more and more facilities have started incorporating holistic therapy options into their programs.
Art Therapy
Over the years art therapy has become one of the most popular of the non-traditional therapy options. Art therapy allows those in treatment the opportunity to express their emotions through art as well as explore their creativity.
Art therapy helps patients forget about the fact that they are in treatment for a little while and lets them get lost in the creation of art. For this reason, art therapy is considered to be highly therapeutic. It is one of the oldest forms of alternative therapy, dating all the way back to the 1950s.
Music Therapy
Another highly popular and long-used form of alternative therapy options is music therapy for addiction. Just like art therapy, music therapy encourages the patient to express their emotions through song and music.
Music therapy has been used in treatment facilities since the 1970s and many treatment facilities find that it actually encourages the patient to continue treatment as it is a fun activity for them to look forward to. Writing lyrics, playing an instrument, dancing, and listening to music are all considered therapeutic exercises in music therapy.
Want To Know More About the Different Types of Addiction Counseling?
Different types of addiction therapy work for different types of people. That’s why at CNV Detox we offer a wide variety of both traditional and non-traditional treatment options.
We pride ourselves on getting you the help you need using a method, or methods, that work best for you and your addiction. If you or someone you know could benefit from one of the many types of addiction counseling that we offer, contact us today, and fill out the form below.
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