How Does Drug Rehab Counseling Work?Drug addiction rehabilitation uses many approaches both medical and psychological. Drug rehab counseling has always been one of the methods most used in almost all drug addiction programs. Usually medical treatments are combined with these counseling efforts. This approach focuses on achieving behavioural changes in the patient - that is, achieving and successfully sustaining abstinence from drugs or chemicals and the behaviours associated with the use of such. Another important use of counseling is in emotional recovery where the patient is assisted in coping with the damage addiction has done to his life. This approach to drug addiction treatment adopts the philosophy that addiction is a disease or illness and the patient has little or no control over it. It is a disease that harms the person mentally, emotionally, psychologically, physically and spiritually. Counseling is implemented along with medications like suboxone, buprenex or buprenorphine. But while drugs address the physical illness of the patient, counseling addresses his mental and psychological illness. With this perspective, a holistic approach in treatment is necessary and this should cover many areas like:
The counseling model emphasizes the role of the patient as an active agent of change. Recovery is the ultimate responsibility of the patient. This is an important element in every drug rehabilitation program which the counselor must explain thoroughly so that the patient gets to understand the need for personal responsibility. The counselor plays a very important and crucial role during the treatment. He is there to give education, support and non-judgmental confrontation. It is important for the counselor to convey to the patient that he or she is understood and that he or she is appreciated and supported in the struggle to recover. Here is a possible scenario during the counseling period:
The patient will also be encouraged to participate in group counseling. The model emphasizes the role of drug rehabilitation support groups, the counselors and staff and the family. This is an important aid to recovery as it teaches the necessary skills needed for their own recovery. It acts as a support network that provides a sense of belonging and a sense of new identity away from that of being a drug addict. Once this is achieved, the counselor will motivate the patient to sustain abstinence and ultimately achieve full recovery. This part of the program requires that the patient develop within himself the best and the most appropriate recovery plan that he is to maintain through out his life. The patient must be made to understand that recovering from drug addiction is a life-long process that involves his will to change and using all the support he can get from outside. The counselor will also help the patient realize certain attitudes or behaviours within himself that may stimulate a reversion or relapse. This is important for the patient so that he may be able to recognize his own weaknesses and eventually help himself get back on track. Lastly, such a program can help the patient improve his or her self-esteem and practice learned coping skills and problem solving mechanisms in his daily life. |