In Illinois, nearly 80% of drug overdose deaths involved opioids in 2018. With so many people struggling with addiction, the need for addiction counseling has never been so obvious. Roughly 3.21% of adults in Illinois live with serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression. Only 44.6% of adults with mental illness in Illinois receive any form of treatment from either the public system or private providers.
Additionally, one in five (20%) adults in the United States has mental health issues. Finding mental health care in Illinois can be challenging, particularly in rural areas. 95% of mental health providers working in rural areas feel they can’t meet the needs of their patients. Over 90% of the nation’s psychiatrists and addiction counselors practice in urban or suburban areas, with roughly 60% of all rural counties lacking even one practicing psychiatrist.
Why is Addiction Counseling Integral to Recovery?
Addiction therapy services, such as counseling, can enable discoveries about yourself and ways to integrate healthy coping skills. Many recovering individuals struggle to maintain motivation after an initial detox. The physical and mental strain of the withdrawal symptoms and malnourishment can affect a person’s ability to focus on recovery.
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Primary Addiction Counseling Services
You participate in many kinds of addiction counseling services during rehab, such as:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Individual Therapy
During individual counseling sessions, the therapist provides a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space for the person to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Topics discussed can range from stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma to relationship issues, self-esteem, and personal goals.
Group Therapy
Family Therapy
Family therapy allows you and your loved ones to begin healing the damage in your relationships. Addiction is often recognized as a family disease. Your home environment and genetics play a role in the risk factors of addiction. Families affected by substance abuse can be torn between intense feelings of fear and disappointment.
Finding opportunities to share intimate experiences with your loved ones can help bridge the disconnect caused by addiction. The roles family members play in addiction can vary; however, codependency is an element to look out for.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Dual diagnosis treatment offers help for those struggling with both addiction and mental health disorders. This is also referred to as “co-occurring conditions.” Sadly, a lot of addictions get their start as people try to self-medicate a mental health condition. For example, those with anxiety disorders often use depressants or alcohol to reduce the symptoms of the disorder.
Unfortunately, they develop a substance use disorder. Dual diagnosis programs largely treat addiction and mental health conditions separately, but with both forms of treatment in mind. This allows both you and the treatment staff to remain focused on one thing at a time. Treating both disorders is crucial as an attempt to prevent substance abuse relapse.
Peer Support/Support Programs
Relapse Prevention
Relapse prevention helps you learn about methods for avoiding slips and relapses. After an evaluation, you and your counselor will craft a set of guidelines for your practice when triggers appear. Relapse is a frustrating component of addiction recovery, with 40-60% of recovering individuals experiencing a lapse at least once.
A relapse prevention plan could outline specific scenarios and phrases to use in the event of substance use. A relapse prevention plan can be modified and reevaluated to meet your demands.
Holistic Therapies
Holistic therapies are treatment approaches that focus on the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—rather than just addressing specific symptoms or conditions. These therapies aim to promote overall well-being and balance by considering the interconnectedness of physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
Holistic treatments often complement traditional medical or psychological treatments and can be tailored to an individual’s unique needs. It is rooted in the belief that true healing comes from addressing all aspects of a person’s life.
What are the Benefits of Addiction Counseling?
- Addiction counseling helps individuals explore the underlying factors contributing to their addiction, such as trauma, stress, mental issues, or environmental influences.
- Gaining insight into these causes can empower individuals to address them effectively.
- Addiction counselors teach practical tools and techniques to manage cravings, stress, and triggers without resorting to addictive behaviors.
- These strategies can include mindfulness, problem-solving, and emotional regulation skills.
- Addiction counseling fosters a sense of connection and support, whether through one-on-one sessions, group therapy, or family counseling.
- A strong support system is crucial for maintaining motivation and accountability during recovery.
- Many individuals with addiction also face co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD. Counseling addresses these issues in conjunction with addiction, promoting overall well-being.
- Therapists may use evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy or dialectical behavior therapy to treat both addiction and mental health challenges.
- Addiction counseling focuses on relapse prevention by helping individuals identify high-risk situations and develop plans to navigate them successfully.
- It also builds resilience and confidence to handle setbacks without returning to harmful behaviors.
- Addiction often strains relationships with family, friends, and colleagues. Counseling can help repair these connections by enhancing communication, fostering trust, and promoting understanding.
- Family therapy, in particular, can address dynamics that may contribute to or be affected by addiction.
- Counseling provides ongoing support and guidance throughout the recovery journey, helping individuals stay committed to their goals.
- It encourages the development of healthy habits, routines, and a sense of purpose, which are essential for sustained recovery.
- Addiction counseling helps individuals rediscover their strengths, values, and goals, fostering a sense of empowerment and self-worth.
- It encourages personal growth and the pursuit of a fulfilling, addiction-free life.
By addressing the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of addiction, counseling plays a vital role in helping individuals achieve and maintain recovery while improving their overall quality of life.
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What Should I Expect in Addiction Counseling?
Throughout the process, you’ll work with your counselor to set realistic goals, monitor progress, and adjust the plan as needed. Counseling may also include family or group therapy to strengthen relationships and support systems. It’s a collaborative journey that not only addresses substance use disorders but also fosters personal growth, self-awareness, and resilience. With commitment and openness, addiction counseling can empower you to create a meaningful, addiction-free existence.
Receive Addiction Counseling at Northern Illinois
Recovery Center
Northern Illinois Recovery, located in Crystal Lake, Illinois, offers addiction counseling services to residents of Chicago suburbs. Substance use disorders can take a horrific toll on your family relationships and health, as well as your professional life. Getting help in a quality drug rehab program can help you put an end to all of the damage your addiction causes. Contact us today to learn how we can help.
