I’m Ready To Find Drug Counseling Near Me: Where Should I Start?
Updated November 19, 2019
Reviewer Kristen Hardin
If you're considering treatment for your substance addiction, you're already on the right track to getting better. Sometimes the toughest part is admitting you have a problem. This article will show you how to go about finding a counselor who specializes in helping people with substance abuse problems and addiction so you can start receiving the treatment that will work for you.
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What Is Substance Abuse Counseling?
Substance abuse counseling combines mental health treatment with drug and alcohol addiction treatment. The programs can be inpatient or outpatient. Regardless of where you seek treatment, you'll talk to a licensed and trained substance abuse counselor in a clinical environment. In counseling, you'll speak to a mental health professional to determine the factors contributing to your substance abuse behaviors.
In talk therapy, you'll discuss the addiction causes, develop coping skills, practice those skills, and you may attend group therapy as well. Some people also find a twelve-step program for substance abuse helpful. Depending on your specific needs, there's help available.
You're making a decision right now to better your life by asking for help. When you realize you have an addiction, whether it's an addiction to drugs, alcohol, or something else, one of the bravest and most difficult things to do is seek help. Acknowledging that you have a problem is hard. You're acting courageous by finding support for something so difficult to control. Addiction is extremely debilitating and potentially deadly. You're acknowledging you have a problem and addressing it, and that is something to be rewarded. Underneath the substance abuse issues, you might have depression, anxiety, past trauma, or another mental health disorder that can be treated at the same time as your addiction. It could also be part of the reason for your addiction. In any case, you're not alone.
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How to Find a Drug Counselor Near You
If you go online and search for a drug counselor, you'll find a myriad of results, but you might feel uneasy if you don't know how experienced each counselor is in their field. Having a referral from someone you know or from another trusted medical or mental health professional is a great way to find a counselor to see for substance abuse treatment, but it can be difficult if you're nervous about revealing you have a substance abuse issue. One solution is to call a national helpline such as SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
You can also look into treatment facilities to find a substance abuse counselor. At these centers, they have experts who understand addiction. These counselors are trained to help people through the hardest parts of substance abuse.
Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities
Substance abuse treatment facilities are places where people seek treatment for substance abuse issues. They have teams of clinicians that understand substance use disorder and how to treat it. One of the components of addiction treatment is the evaluation process. You get evaluated and establish your needs so you can get the proper treatment. In addiction treatment settings, you'll find social workers, psychologists, substance abuse counselors, psychiatrists, and an entire clinical team who specializes in working with substance use disorder. You'll find group therapy as well as individual counseling. Individual counseling for substance use is when you see someone one on one who specializes in substance abuse. They can help you get a deeper understanding of your addiction and help you learn coping skills and relapse prevention.
Group therapy is another option. Most facilities will offer both individual and group counseling. Group counseling can be a powerful resource for fighting addiction. You feel less alone knowing there are people out there fighting the same battle.
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What's an Addiction Psychiatrist?
An addiction psychiatrist is someone who specializes in mental health and comorbid issues (other mental health issues that occur at the same time as the substance use problem). They provide short medication management sessions where they check to see how a medication is working and if it needs to be adjusted. An addiction psychiatrist determines whether you're adequately medicated for substance abuse and that your cravings are under control so that you don't relapse. Medication can help with the cravings you're experiencing from a substance abuse problem. An addiction psychiatrist will know how to handle your unique situation. Be honest about your symptoms. If you're experiencing cravings for a particular substance, tell your psychiatrist, and they can help you through it.
Find the Right Addiction or Drug Counselor
There are standard methods to use to find an addiction counselor. One is to get a recommendation from a family member or friend. Another is to see a general doctor for a referral-and it is confidential to see a general physician for this purpose. When you find someone, make sure you check their credentials to ensure their education is adequate and that they're certified to work with substance use issues. Check reviews online to make sure they're ethical and that other people have had good things to say about them.
If you think you've found a good fit, give them a call and have a consultation-you don't necessarily even need to see them in person until you feel comfortable doing so. Get a vibe from them over the phone, and if you feel comfortable seeing them, make an appointment if you'd like to continue working with them. After meeting with a substance abuse counselor, you can think about whether the session felt productive and safe. If you feel you want to explore other counselor options, you have the right to do so. There are many mental health professionals to choose from, and you don't have to go with the first one you picked. If you don't feel comfortable with your choice, keep looking. Find another drug counselor that takes your insurance and meet with them to see if you're a good fit. The main thing is don't give up. You will find the right counselor for your needs. Keep in mind that you are likely in a vulnerable state, and it may take more than one session to know if your counselor is the right choice for you. The first session is generally assessment and evaluation, so if you don't know for sure how you feel, consider going back for the second session.
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Addiction Treatment is Crucial
You may be deep in the process of a substance-abuse issue, but there is hope. Don't ignore the problem. Getting help for an addiction is a unique experience because it's not just the addiction that you're treating-it's also the problems underneath. Once you get help and start managing the condition, you will begin to realize the underlying reason for using drugs or alcohol. Many people experience addiction to cover up something else, such as other mental health issues, trauma, or pain. It's essential to take control of your life by seeing a mental health professional to treat the addiction.
BetterHelp Can Help
In addition to the advice mentioned above, you can also opt for online treatment services, such as the ones offered by BetterHelp. BetterHelp is a great option because all you need is an internet connection and a smartphone, tablet, or computer. You can get started anywhere at any time. It's convenient and more affordable than in-patient treatment facilities.
At BetterHelp, you'll be matched with a licensed, professional counselor who can help you through your journey to recovery. And you can do this from the privacy of your home and at times that work with your schedule. Get started today! Be sure to read some of the reviews below to see what others have to say about BetterHelp's services.
"Sandra is such an excellent therapist. From the very first session I FINALLY felt heard, supported and that making huge, positive changes to my rather broken life was actually possible. She is compassionate, skilled and encouraging. I highly recommend."
"Julissa is my lifeline to sobriety. I always know that she is there to assist me. She's honest and to the point. She helps me to see other aspects of my behavior that I either could not see or refuse to see. Thank you, Julissa!"
Conclusion
Once you establish a plan that includes coping skills, release prevention, and where to go for support, you will start to feel more in control and peaceful in your life. Whether you work with somebody in your local area or you find a therapist at BetterHelp, you deserve to have good mental health, and it's important to make that a priority in your recovery from addiction. With the right tools, you can do it. Take the first step.
