Finding An Addiction Therapist Near Me
Of those who experience addictions, about 7% have a mental health condition as well. If you are living with an addiction of any kind, you may benefit from some professional help through an addiction therapist, whether in person or online.
Different Types Of Dependencies
Before you start looking for a licensed mental health professional, understanding the types of addiction may help you find the one that is right for you. Although they're often used interchangeably, dependence vs addiction are two different stages of potentially harmful substance reliance. Addictions can escalate from substance dependency and may apply to the use of drugs, alcohol, or other substances. Both nicotine addiction and caffeine addiction induce the brain to release dopamine, although caffeine causes a considerably lesser release. Addiction can also involve many other behaviors, such as gambling, shopping, overeating, and using one’s smartphone to excess. Often, different mental health professionals specialize in specific addiction types. These professionals are often equipped to take on multiple concerns, especially due to the coexisting mental health disorders and trauma-related behavioral responses that people in addiction recovery may experience.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol (especially in excess) can lead to alcohol use disorder and greatly increase your risk of developing serious health complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that over 140,000 adults died each year between 2015 and 2019 because of alcohol-related disease or injuries. These include:
Liver cirrhosis
Stroke
Hypertension
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Infections
Type 2 diabetes
Several types of cancer
Alcohol use is legal and common at social gatherings and certain events. This means that alcohol is easy to consume, and problematic use can be easy to ignore or cover up. Alcohol abuse has gone up by 49% since the year 2000, and it keeps rising. One out of every eight adults in the United States meets the criteria for alcoholism according to a study by JAMA Psychiatry. Because alcoholism is on the rise, the toll on America's health care costs is rising as well. You may search for "alcohol counseling near me" on reliable resources online to see nearby options that you can have.
Narcotics
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), about seven million people over the age of 12 in the United States use or abuse drugs. Five million of them are considered to have a drug addiction, and this has been steadily rising for the past two decades. The numbers are up over 8% in the past decade, with marijuana being the most common substance at 70% of overall substance use. If you are not sure whether you or a loved one is experiencing an addiction, there are certain signs you can look for, which include:
Lack of motivation
Absenteeism at school or work
Changes in behavior
Appetite changes
Hyperactivity or a tendency to talk more than normal
A tendency to stagger, stumble, or slur words
Poor hygiene
Cough or congestion
Swelling of the face or hands
Nausea and vomiting
Needle marks
Changes in breath or body odors
Shaking or sweating
Laziness
Sleeping difficulties
Dilated pupils
Red eyes
Cravings
Lack of interest in other things
Causes And Associated Risk Factors
There are many risk factors for drug and alcohol addiction. For example, drug and alcohol addiction can be genetic or hereditary. Your environment can also be a cause of substance use. If you have been around drugs and alcohol in your home for a long time, your chances of using substances may be higher than average. There are many other risk factors, including:
A chronic or terminal illness like cancer
Mental or emotional disorders
Abusive family dynamics
Peer pressure
Parents who are neglectful or abusive
Curiosity or a desire for experimentation
BetterHelp Can Help
If you or someone you love has an addiction, there is an addiction therapist out there who can help. If you are unsure about if you have an addiction or what specific type of therapy can help, you’re not alone. In your search for a therapist, you can contact BetterHelp with no obligation to ask what type of therapy tends to be best for whatever you are experiencing.
Certain addiction therapists specialize in different kinds of addictions. For example, some addiction therapists may be best for alcohol or drug addiction, while other addiction therapists may be better for impulse control or behavioral addictions, such as gambling or internet addiction. By contacting BetterHelp, you can ask what type of therapy tends to be most effective for the addiction you’re experiencing and then ask to be matched with someone experienced with that type of therapy.
Overcoming Drug And Alcohol Dependency With A Counselor
"It's getting out of hand, where can I find a substance abuse counselor near me?" Addiction treatment may help you overcome addiction by helping you find your addiction triggers and find better ways to cope with those triggers. If you have been using alcohol or other substances for a long time, you may benefit from the help of a caring physician as well. With the help of a doctor, you may be prescribed medication that can ease any side effects of quitting. Some possible side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and seizures.
This process doesn’t necessarily have to be carried out at an inpatient facility; depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may be able to go through this process at an outpatient facility or with the help of a therapist. Whatever type of addiction you’re experiencing, you don’t have to navigate this process alone. The good thing about the modern world is that you can just search for "drug counseling near me" on your phone or your computer and there you have all of your options.
Long-Term Treatment
You may benefit from a treatment that addresses all your needs, including medical, mental, and emotional. It is not just about quitting the addictive substance or behavior. It is about addressing your problems holistically, which includes examining underlying concerns and enacting necessary behavior changes to ensure long-term recovery. Counseling or behavioral therapy can be helpful in treating addictions, no matter what you are addicted to. With the help of mental health professionals and treatment providers, such as an addiction psychiatrist or substance use specialist, you may find it easier to reach your goals with respect to your addiction.
Long-term evaluation and therapy may help you stay away from whatever you are addicted to. It is common to experience challenges with staying sober, but long-term counseling and personalized treatment may help with relapse prevention. Some addictive substances cause such severe withdrawal symptoms that the user avoids quitting due to the symptoms. In these cases, hospitalization or outpatient care often includes medications that make recovery easier. For example, if you are experiencing addiction to opioids, medications such as methadone or naltrexone may be provided to help with the effects of withdrawal and relieve cravings. Naltrexone is also sometimes used in treating those with severe alcoholism because it blocks the opioid receptors, lowers dopamine levels, and minimizes cravings for alcohol.
Motivational Therapy
Aside from substance abuse counseling, one method that you can use to treat addictions is motivational therapy. Motivational therapy is a form of addiction treatment that tends to utilize techniques derived from cognitive-behavioral therapy (a form of talk therapy that helps you change thought patterns and behavior). It was specifically designed to treat substance or alcohol addiction from a humanistic perspective. Motivational therapy is a patient-centered method that focuses on motivating the person with the addiction to change negative behaviors through empathy, compassion, and personal accountability. This type of therapy has been found to produce excellent results in treating substance use disorder, especially in use of opiates or other euphoric drugs. Motivational therapy focuses on the stages of change, which include:
Precontemplation, when you are not ready to change
Contemplation, when you are thinking about changing
Preparation, when you are getting ready to change
Action, during the change process and therapy
Maintenance, which involves sustaining behavior change
Relapse, or slipping back into your previous behavior
Termination, which means you are done with the cycle and have moved on
Getting Help
There are a wide variety of exercises and treatments that can be effective for addictions and overall mental health. If you are interested in starting on your mental health journey, you can so do through BetterHelp. As mentioned above, there are many potential ways to treat addictions with counseling. One of the most common is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is particularly well-studied for its online effectiveness. For example, in an extensive review published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, researchers found remotely delivered CBT to be an effective treatment modality. Concomitantly, the study reported that people who lived in rural locations or were unable to make it to in-person sessions were able to get the help they needed due to the convenience and availability of online sessions.
In terms of availability, another potential problem for some, as they seek mental health professionals, is being put on a waitlist. However, BetterHelp pairs most people with mental health professionals within 48 hours.
Taking on addiction can be a big life step for anyone. Overcoming it may involve finding the right balance of support and treatment. You can take that first step today with BetterHelp. Take a look at the following reviews from other people seeking addiction recovery:
BetterHelp Reviews
“Rebecca is a phenomenal counselor, her background and experience in a few areas like the judicial system and drug and alcohol treatment offers great insight for those who may have loved ones working through those issues. They are highly available, always willing to open additional appointments if you can't find a time that works for you, respond quickly through chat. I would highly recommend anyone interested in working with cognitive behavioral therapy to reach out and see if they are available for a chat.”
“Samuel is an extremely smart man and makes me feel like he cares about me and my mental health. He goes the extra mile in finding me local groups and clinics and refers me to books to read. I still have a long way to go but I’m glad it’s with him. Thank you, Sam.”
Takeaway
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is An Addiction Therapist?
Addiction therapists help individuals who are struggling with a substance use disorder. They specialize in addiction treatment and tend to be highly trained in their field. You can search for addiction therapists online by yourself, with the help of a loved one, or with a medical professional. A healthcare provider may be able to help you find addiction therapists in your area and locate treatment facilities if needed. Mental health professionals tend to be passionate about helping clients overcome substance use disorder and remain on a path of recovery.
How Do I Become An Addiction Counselor?
Addiction mental health professionals require a substantial amount of formal education and typically hold at least a master's degree. However, the exact steps to take to become an addiction counselor may vary depending on where you are located. You might check the requirements in your state to see what education you need and how many hours of supervised training you need to complete. Also, there are a lot of careers in this field that you can choose. While you might need a master's degree to practice as a licensed addiction counselor, you may be able to work in a peer-support role after completing a certificate program.
What Is The Role Of An Addiction Counselor?
The role of addiction mental health professionals is to help people who are experiencing an addiction. Depending on an individual's treatment plan, addiction mental health professionals might provide talk therapy, hold family counseling sessions, or conduct group therapy. You can find addiction therapists or mental health professionals in several settings, including hospital settings, residential or outpatient service centers, and government or community centers. Alcohol and drug mental health professionals can have many roles. They may act as a coach, provide a sense of structure to a client, and help them integrate back into the world after completing treatment. Mental health professionals are usually trained to see various warning signs that may point to relapse or other concerns.
What Does An Addiction Social Worker Do?
An addiction social worker typically connects people with addictions to resources such as mental health treatment, medical services, employment, housing, and education. They often support clients by speaking with them about what they are going through and using tangible actions to help them get to a better place for their mental health.
Effective addiction social workers and addiction therapists are typically compassionate and non-judgmental. Addiction therapists and other substance use disorder professionals often work with clients through relapses and other potential challenges.
How Long Do You Have To Go To School To Be A Counselor?
In most locations, you typically need a master's degree to become a counselor and mental health professional. With both your bachelor's and master's degrees, you will typically need an average of six years to complete the education necessary to become a counselor. After you finish graduate school, you will likely have to complete supervised training and go through the licensing process.
What Is The Best Therapy For Substance Use Disorder?
There are many types of therapy used for substance use disorder. Your therapy may be uniquely tailored for you and depend on your addiction type, your identity, and any coexisting conditions you may have with mental health. In general, it may help to look for a therapist who specializes in addiction so that you can get the help that you need. Addiction therapists might provide cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT), or motivational interviewing. CBT tends to helps you recognize and avoid or cope with the situations that cause you to turn to alcohol or other substances. You might also find that a combination of different types of therapy, such as group therapy paired with individual therapy, works the best for you and your mental health.
As you search for a therapist for substance use, you might find online therapist reviews and possibly even information about therapy costs. If you don’t find the right fit the first time, you might consider changing therapists until you find someone with whom you feel comfortable.
What Is A Drug Therapist?
An addiction therapist is someone who tends to use different modes of therapy to treat addiction. They may use the following modalities:
One-on-one therapy or counseling
Group therapy
Skill-building therapy
Family therapy
Couples therapy
Marriage counseling
Individual therapy
You might choose a 12-step program, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, rational emotive behavioral therapy, contingency therapy, etc. There are several modes of therapy that can be used for addiction treatment. You can explore therapy options online before going to your first session with a therapist to become familiar with what your sessions might be like.
Which Type Of Therapy With A Therapist Is Most Effective?
The type of therapist that works best for you may depend on what resonates with you the most and the concerns you want to be treated with a therapist. Sometimes, people have trauma or comorbid conditions to work through, so they seek other forms of treatment in addition to addiction therapy. You can explore therapeutic modalities and see what feels the most effective and authentic for you.
Elements of effective therapy typically include having trust with your therapist, engaging in open and honest communication, and feeling that your therapist is truly hearing what you are saying. People come to therapy with all sorts of experiences and backgrounds. For example, some people have deep-seated religious beliefs, and many therapists work hard to respect their spiritual faith in line with the help that modern therapy can also provide.
One of the signs of healthy therapy is when a client sees their life improving and values the world outside of addiction. Several different kinds of therapy for substance use are available through online therapy services, such as BetterHelp.
What Does A Treatment Plan Include?
Your treatment plan will likely be created to fit your individual needs. It may vary depending on if you are seeking inpatient or outpatient treatment, too. Some people attend individual counseling and see a psychiatrist on an individual basis as well. Many people find group therapy to be an essential part of their treatment plan, and if you choose to go to an inpatient treatment center, it will likely be included in your treatment plan. At some point during the treatment process, you might have family therapy or see a marriage therapist with your spouse or significant other. It typically depends on your unique circumstances.
What Are SMART Goals In Therapy?
SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. The SMART model is meant to help you set and meet achievable goals for your mental health.
How Many Sessions Do You Get On A Mental Health Care Plan?
The number of sessions covered by a mental health care plan that your insurance provides will likely depend on your insurance company and your specific individual insurance plan. You can find mental health professionals through your insurance company by calling them or checking their directory online, if applicable. Your insurance company may be able to help you locate an alcohol and drug counselor with expertise in their field.
You can also opt for an online therapy service, such as BetterHelp, which offers a monthly therapy plan with online sessions and in-app messaging with a therapist.
What Qualifies As A Professional Mental Health Provider?
Mental health providers can include licensed mental health professionals, marriage and family therapists, addiction psychologists, psychiatrists, or other individuals who provide mental health services.
How do I know if my therapist has countertransference?
Do therapists have feelings for their clients?
What is the importance of countertransference to Counsellor?
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