For people living with addiction and substance abuse problems, a drug and alcohol counselor is often a lifeline to a healthier lifestyle. A counselor does a lot more than simply help people curb their substance abuse. These professionals provide an array of services to give individuals tools to understand their addiction, manage it, and make healthier choices to support their recovery. 

How Drug & Alcohol Counselors Can Help

1. Therapy

The first priority for any counselor is to develop a strong relationship with their patients by showing empathy and understanding and building trust. As patients move forward with their recovery, the counselor helps them understand the underlying causes of their addiction, the triggers that lead them to use substances, and develop coping skills to help them manage their addiction. Counselors utilize various types of therapy to achieve different goals depending on the individual’s specific needs. 

2. Relapse Prevention

Another key role for a drug and alcohol counselor is relapse prevention. Because overcoming addiction requires more than just willpower, counselors work with their patients to help them develop a plan to prevent and manage relapses. These plans may include strategies for resisting temptation, developing a support network to turn to when relapse is imminent or occurs, and an emergency plan for getting help if they relapse.

Counselors also work with patients and families to help them understand that relapse is a normal part of recovery, and doesn’t mean that the patient has failed. Rather, a relapse more often means that the treatment plan needs to be adjusted, and having a plan in place ensures those changes are made more quickly. 

3. Support Services

Substance abusers and their families often need additional support services to aid with recovery and management of addiction. A drug and alcohol counselor helps ensure access to these services, from additional therapy and guidance for families to information about post-rehabilitation housing, employment, and social services. Counselors may provide information about support groups, for instance, or refer patients to additional counseling and support services depending on their individual needs. 

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, White Spruce Counseling provides supportive, compassionate recovery resources to help you get back on your feet. These Rochester, NY-based drug and alcohol counselors have training and experience in treating addiction and give their patients the skills and resources they need to overcome their challenges. To learn more about the team and their substance abuse counseling services, visit them online or call (585) 424-2436 to schedule an appointment.