Get Help From Alcohol Detox Counselors In Treatment

Alcohol Detox Counselors Help With Quitting Drugs And Alcohol

Fighting the deadly disease of alcoholism and drug addiction can be an uphill battle. Sometimes it takes several visits to treatment centers, alcohol rehabs, hospitals, and other treatment options to fully get at the nature of alcohol and drug addiction. The exact nature of substance use disorder is a three-fold illness that affects the mental health, physical health, and emotional stability of virtually every addict/alcoholic. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), as it is categorized in the DSM-5 is an untreated epidemic claiming the lives of thousands each year. There are nine new criteria for meeting this diagnosis:

1. Alcohol is consumed in much greater quantities than intended
2. Inability to stop drinking despite strong desire. Inability to cut down on amount consumed or control alcohol use
3. Obtaining alcohol becomes a full-time job, and once drunk, it becomes harder to sober up
4. An obsessive desire to drink no matter what time of day or what important engagement there is. Otherwise known as an irrational craving for alcohol
5. Continuous drinking resulting in loss of responsibilities at work, loss of job, decreased responsibility at school, or at home
6. Abusing alcohol despite recurring interpersonal problems, resulting in loss of friends and broken relationships.
7. Alcohol use despite warnings from a doctor, failing health, or other physically hazardous conditions
8. Building up a tolerance to alcohol marked by a) A need for much more alcohol to obtain desired effect b) Consuming the same amount of alcohol stops producing the desired effect
9. Physical and mental withdrawal symptoms such as shakiness, dizziness, nausea, persistent hangover symptoms, possible seizures. If the possibility of seizures are present, administered benzodiazepines will be needed

If you or a loved one meet the above criteria it is probable you will need professional help to get over your addiction disease. The good news is that help is available for those suffering from drug addiction and alcoholism. Thanks to advancements in the scientific community, we have a much greater understanding of this befuddling illness. In addition to licensed treatment centers and effective treatment options, there are now masterfully trained substance abuse counselors. Alcohol detox counselors are synonymous with therapists that are trained in substance use disorder.

Mental Health Counselors Providing Solutions

Treatment centers that are accredited will employ alcohol detox counselors and drug abuse counseling services. It has already been established that alcoholism and drug addiction are fatal illnesses with strong desires to keep abusing substances despite consequences. There is no harm in seeking help from a professional alcohol detox counselor. But what exactly do they do? Here are some of the things substance abuse counselors can help with:

• Provide unconditional support throughout inpatient and outpatient treatment
• Educate you about the recovery process, each and every step of the way
• Help you see the real reasons you engaged in alcohol abuse and drug abuse
• Create behavioral plans to ensure your best mental health
• Provide you a structured recovery plan and hold you accountable 
• Help with tips for when you leave alcohol and drug treatment

This is just a brief summary of what these alcohol counselors do. The men and women who go into this field do so because they have a passion for helping people. Most of them have been through detox and can guide you on how to get well. No matter what addictions you’re struggling with, alcohol detox counselors are there to help.

Substance Abuse Treatment That Works For You

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Drug treatment is different for everyone, and there are different conditions alcohol detox counselors will specialize in. While they all are licensed and certified, many have certain niches that are tailored to specific types of drug abuse. Choosing the right substance abuse counselor is important in order for you to receive maximum mental health healing.

The Most Important thing is trust

It isn’t always easy to trust people in detox or extended alcohol treatment facilities. Find someone you feel comfortable with, and that you aren’t afraid to open up to.

Experience with Alcohol Use Disorder or Substance Use Disorder

If your problem is a gambling or sex addiction, substance abuse counselors may not be the best fit. Go with someone who has specific experience treating your alcohol and drug addiction.

Check your insurance

Some insurance policies may not cover added substance abuse counseling. Before committing to drug abuse counseling sessions, double check your policy or have your loved one check for you.

Do your homework

A regular bachelor’s degree in psychology does not qualify a person to treat alcohol and drug addiction. Different states have different requirements. Make sure you check to see if your therapist is a licensed alcohol detox counselor or another addiction counselor.

Difference Between An Alcohol Detox Counselor And A Traditional Sponsor

In 12 step programs, such as alcoholics anonymous, a sponsor is someone who can guide you through the 12 steps of recovery. They are also there to help you get plugged in to a support group, do service in recovery, and build a foundation that will guard against relapse. Many people in alcoholics anonymous or narcotics anonymous don’t believe in sponsoring alcoholics and drug addicts while they’re in treatment. The reasons for this are personal, and should have no bearing on you getting a sponsor once you get out into the real world again.

However, while in treatment for your drug or alcohol addiction, if you find a sponsor who’s willing to take you on, go for it! They are not licensed therapists or alcohol detox counselors, but their experiences with drug and alcohol addiction are invaluable. Both the sponsor and the substance abuse counselor have a heart for wanting to help you get well and find sobriety. Their approaches might be a little different, and this can be a good thing. There’s no harm in seeking all the help you can get while undergoing substance abuse treatment for your addiction.

Needing All The Help For Our Mental Health We Can Get

Dealing with substance use disorder can be a terrifying ordeal if done alone. Whether you opt for alcohol detox, outpatient therapy, drug abuse counseling, or all of the above–there is no such thing as getting too much help. Alcohol treatment can only go so far. Drug counselors can target specific reasons and identify triggers that have kept you sick and suffering. Different types of therapies explored with a substance abuse counselor include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy- Ever hear the phrase, “you are what you think?” This couldn’t be truer for the alcoholic and drug addict. CBT helps change negative thoughts into positive ones, and over time changes your self-destructive behaviors
• Holistic Therapy– holistic addiction therapy seeks to treat the whole individual. You can expect mental, physical, emotional and spiritual help. Counselors trained in this type of therapy help with breathing techniques, meditation, spirituality, and exercise
• Biofeedback-using scientific sensors, substance abuse counselors measure heart rate and other bodily functions. They then teach you coping methods for how to decrease stress and anxiety
• Motivational enhancement therapy- substance abuse counselors use techniques to build up motivation to undergo alcohol and drug treatment. Counselors guide substance abusers on how to stay motivated after drug rehab so they actually want to change for good

Alcohol and drugs can deal out a horrific beating, and the only way to combat this fatal illness is through intensive work on yourself. Using the knowledge gained from a substance abuse counselor will work to help keep you happy and sober. There is virtually no harm in seeking all the help you can get.