One of the core components of effective drug addiction recovery involves psychological therapy in the form of addiction counseling. Offered in both individualized and group forms at private drug addiction recovery facilities, drug addiction counseling allows individuals to deal with the psychological portion of chemical dependency and substance abuse.
By allowing the addicted individual to assess and recognize psychological cues for drug use, understand the nature of addiction and learn coping mechanisms to prevent drug use in the future, patients can become better able to enter a life of sobriety once addiction counseling takes place.
Benefits of Drug Addiction Counseling
For many patients, the psychological pull of continued drug use tends to be one of the most overlooked aspects of recovery but remains a vital step in order to achieve ongoing sobriety. Here are just a few of the distinct benefits professional drug addiction counseling  can provide when performed in a safe and confidential environment at inpatient drug addiction facilities.
- Healing of Lingering Traumas
For many individuals, the need to escape psychological trauma contributes to drug use. In inpatient therapy, patients can learn to confront and heal psychological trauma such as domestic abuse, sexual assault, childhood neglect and emotional pain. Using therapies such as EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and even alternative forms of therapy such as art therapy and exposure therapy, patients can receive the healing they need in order to mitigate the urge to escape back into drug use. - Personal Accountability
During inpatient drug addiction counseling, patients learn how to develop personal accountability around their respective recoveries. Group counseling allows patients to discuss emotional states that may lead to temptation, while individualized counseling allows for lifestyle and behavioral assessment of the addicted individual’s progress. - Drug Addiction Education and Awareness
For many individuals, the formation of their personal addiction to drugs remains unclear. By understanding the way that drugs affect the emotions and mental health of an individual through biological means, individuals can learn to contextualize drug cravings and resist them. Additionally, education around addictive cycles, interpersonal dynamics and identity issues can help patients become more aware of the role drugs have taken in their internal life. - Coping Skills Building
In some cases, the inability to cope with life challenges, stressors and interpersonal conflicts has contributed to drug abuse. Individuals can learn stress and anger management techniques, organizational methodologies and communication strategies to better equip them for sober living. Individualized and group therapy can also allow patients to learn visualization, relaxation and time management techniques that can better prepare them for sober living. - Relapse Prevention
Through drug addiction counseling, patients can learn how to prevent relapse in the future. Through analysis of unhealthy relationships, recognition of triggering environments and lifestyle assessment, patients can engage in transitional planning with qualified aftercare counselors. Through these means, patients can rebuild their lives in a way that engenders sobriety and guards against further drug use or substitute addictions.