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Drug and Alcohol Counseling
If you know someone addicted to drugs or alcohol, you may feel frustrated at their apparent unwillingness to quit. You can look at the trouble their substance abuse is causing and think, ‘Why don’t they just stop? Can’t they see how much this is hurting them and the people they love?’ Unfortunately, recovery isn’t that simple. Addiction is a complicated illness that involves a real physical, chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol. In order to break free from addiction, most struggling addicts need drug and alcohol counseling. Read on to learn more about drug and alcohol counseling, including what it is, who needs it, who provides it, and how you can receive counseling in Hawaii.
What Is Drug and Alcohol Counseling?
Drug and alcohol counseling is an opportunity to recover from addiction with the help of trained professionals. Counselors and therapists help patients work through the root causes of their addiction by creating, then guiding them through, an individualized treatment plan.
For some, that plan will start with a medically supervised detox to minimize and manage painful withdrawal symptoms. It usually includes evidence-based treatment in both individual and group therapy settings. Some rehabs also provide experiential therapy, such as animal-assisted therapy, to provide more creative opportunities for residents to process their beliefs and experiences as they fight to overcome their addiction.
The 12-step program, popularized by Alcoholics Anonymous, provides a useful framework that many rehab programs follow to help guide their residents towards recovery. Finally, some centers also provide holistic health services to ensure complete physical, emotional, and spiritual healing from addiction.
Who Provides Drug and Alcohol Counseling?
Drug and alcohol counselors should be licensed and certified to help recovering addicts gain the tools and strength they need to overcome addiction and live a sober lifestyle. There are many different educational backgrounds a drug and alcohol counselor may have.
For example, consider our diverse yet highly trained staff here at Hawaiian Island Recovery. Clinical Director and Psychologist Dr. John Hibscher holds Masters and Doctorate degrees in Psychology. Program Director and Animal Assisted Psychotherapy Specialist Eliza Wille holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Psychology and Social Psychology, respectfully. Therapist Fernando Manon not only holds a Masters Degree in Counseling, but is also a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
When choosing a drug and alcohol counselor for yourself or a loved one, look for someone with degrees and certifications as well as relevant experience in guiding other drug and alcohol addicts towards a successful recovery.
Do I Need Drug and Alcohol Counseling?
It’s commonly said that the first step in recovery is admitting you have a problem. It can also be one of the most difficult steps. If you’re unsure whether your drug or alcohol use has gotten out of control, take a moment to answer these questions honestly:
- Has your substance use negatively impacted your job or schoolwork?
- Do you regularly hide how much you drink or use drugs from family or friends?
- Does your substance use make you feel angry, violent, depressed, or out of control?
4. Have you faced financial hardship or legal repercussions as a result of your substance abuse, yet continued in your habits? - Have you ever endangered yourself or someone else as a result of your drug or alcohol abuse? This may include overdosing, driving under the influence, or making unsafe decisions.
- Do you experience physical withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit using drugs or alcohol?
- Have you ever tried and failed to quit using drugs or alcohol?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, it may be time to seek help from a drug and alcohol counselor at a reputable rehab center. The decision to seek help isn’t a sign of weakness, but of courage and strength. It is a decision to pursue holistic health and happiness for your own benefit and for the benefit of those you love.
Where Can I Find Drug and Alcohol Counseling in Hawaii?
Whether or not you live in Hawaii currently, the Big Island is an ideal place to seek help for a drug or alcohol addiction. The natural beauty of Hawaii provides a tranquil, healing environment that supports a holistic recovery.
Here at Hawaii Island Recovery, we offer regular excursions and experiential therapies that make the most of our incredible surroundings. In fact, we are the only center in the world to offer wild dolphin assisted therapy! Our licensed staff have years of experience in successfully leading drug and alcohol addicts to recovery, sobriety, and holistic health.
To learn more about how you or a loved one can recover from a drug or alcohol addiction in Hawaii, contact us now at 877-721-3556
