Working towards lifelong sobriety doesn’t happen overnight. Instead, it is a process that requires support, vulnerability, and an investment of time and energy. When you struggle with addiction or substance use, finding the right treatments to meet your needs and work with your schedule is important. It is also important to think about your values and personality. It can be helpful to explore different types of addiction counseling and treatment programs before committing to one. The kind of therapy that best fits your needs can address the issues that contribute to your addiction and gives you the tools to live your life without turning to substance use.
If you or someone you love require addiction counseling, mental health care, or other therapeutic services, please reach out to the Northern Illinois Recovery Center staff for information about our programs. Call 855.786.1978 or fill out an online intake form here.
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3 Common Types of Addiction Counseling
While there are many factors to consider when choosing the right addiction treatment program for you, focusing on some of the most common types can help you make an informed decision. Here are three commonly-used addiction counseling approaches you may discover as you begin your search:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is used in the treatment of many mental health conditions and addiction. This form of therapy gives people the tools to recognize patterns of thoughts and behavior that may result in negative consequences. In addiction therapy, CBT helps people identify situations where they may be likely to use substances. They gain the skills needed to avoid or cope with these situations in the future. This can be a valuable tool in the battle to maintain sobriety.
- Motivational interviewing: Motivational interviewing is a good therapeutic option for people who are struggling with motivation to maintain sobriety. Therapists use empathetic questions about what drives their patients. This helps people recognize their own reasons for wanting to change their behavior. Motivational interviewing is often used with people who do not feel ready to be sober or struggle to stay committed to treatment. It can also be used to help prepare people for a more focused or specialized type of therapy.
- Group therapy: Group therapy provides a sense of community that is an effective relapse prevention tool for people in recovery. During addiction therapy groups, participants might share their own stories, talk about where they are in the recovery process and what has worked for them, and have the chance to receive immediate, unconditional support from a group of peers. Therapists leading the group can effectively guide the group in addressing important topics like problem-solving and developing coping skills. Group therapy is a great way to offer valuable support and education to many people at once in a concentrated amount of time.
Learn More About Addiction Counseling at Northern Illinois Recovery Center
If you or someone you love need addiction counseling or other support for substance use, please reach out to the staff at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. We offer a range of supportive programs designed to help you in your recovery journey, including:
- Extended care (90-day program)
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Telehealth rehab program
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Outpatient drug rehab center
- Structured sober living program
- Aftercare
Throughout all our programs, individuals can take part of 12 step treatment and mental health treatment. The latter is especially true in our dual diagnosis program that simultaneously treated substance use disorder and mental health issues like depression or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
Our goal is to help you live a full, healthy life. If you are ready to take the first step of your recovery journey, we will walk the rest of the way with you. Call 855.786.1978 or fill out an online intake form here.
Licensed Physician and Surgeon
Dr. Beth Dunlap, a board-certified addiction medicine and family medicine physician, and is the medical director at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. She is responsible for overseeing all the integrated medical services at both campuses. Beth completed medical school, residency, and fellowship at Northwestern University, where she continues to serve on the faculty as a member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She has extensive experience in addiction medicine at all levels of care, and her clinical interests include integrated primary care and addiction medicine, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment.
© 2023 Northern Illinois Recovery.