How Drug Addiction Counseling Helps

It is a huge accomplishment to kick a prescription drug habit. For most people, however, detox is simply the beginning of the battle against opioid addictions. The medication and treatment that is used to help the individual get stable are a short term solution, and do not set them up for a life in recovery the way that drug addiction counseling and therapy do.

Therapy and counseling are a critical part of treatment for drug abuse for many people. Family counseling, group therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy can all help those who are recovering from opioid addiction to stay clean. In addition, therapy can also treat other psychological conditions that may contribute to prescription drug abuse.

Why Therapy is Crucial for Treating Addiction 

Unfortunately, addiction to opioids is far more than a simple physical dependence on chemicals. Even after the physical issues are taken care of, addicted individuals remain at a high risk for relapse. These social and psychological elements can often trigger a drug abuse relapse:

Stress - especially if it is sudden or if the individual feels like they must cope with it on their own. This can be a major trigger for a relapse, as many individuals have never learned appropriate skills for stress management.

Environmental Cues: Cues like visiting a specific part of town can be a major trigger for individuals who struggle with addiction, especially if that is where they typically use or purchase drugs.

Social Cues: Cues such as being around friends who are users, interacting with individuals who they used to purchase drugs from, and similar stimuli can cause a relapse. The individual may need to break ties with some of these people while in recovery.

Some things can cause almost irresistible cravings to abuse drugs. Prescription drug abuse therapy can help addicts escape their cravings and learn to deal with the things that they experience in life without using drugs.

Several types of counseling exist for prescription drug abuse, and it has not been established that one type is any better than any other. No specific approach has been determined to be the best for all patients who suffer from the symptoms of opiate addiction. The best types of drug abuse treatment are custom tailored to an individual's addiction and their specific needs.

Group Therapy vs. Individual Therapy 

While any type of counseling is helpful to treat drug abuse, group therapy is often preferred, as it allows an individual to work with peers who are also undergoing similar experiences.

Individual therapy is extremely helpful for those individuals who have a dual diagnosis, such as bipolar disorder, depression, or another mental health condition that requires treatment that is separate from the addiction treatment. A skilled therapist can help manage the symptoms of the mental health condition, while also working with the addiction symptoms.

If you or a loved one is suffering from an addiction to opioids, it may be time to consider drug addiction counseling. There are numerous types of therapy available to help break the pull of addiction. Consult a treatment center near you to learn more about the options that are available to help you.