Does Counseling Work
in Treating Addiction?

Counseling can be an essential element of treatment because it reinforces what you need to do to change and offers a safe place to process and heal. Substance abuse and addiction can have far-reaching effects. It can hurt a person’s body and brain and it can hurt the people around them as well. The impact can be ongoing, depending on how soon addiction is addressed and its symptoms are treated. Though determination and family support are important in fighting an addiction, it takes more than will power to control it long-term. Treatment is important.

Understanding Addiction

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Addiction is … a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences…” The behavior becomes involuntary because the brain becomes seriously changed due to the prolonged exposure to the substance.

Thus, addiction becomes a disease where the brain and its functions are affected. This includes the brain circuits related to reward and motivation, as well as power over behavior, memory and learning.

Treating Addictions and Preventing Relapse

Since addiction is a medical condition, treatment is necessary to end the use of the addictive substance. With the possibility of relapse, starting early and adhering to a treatment program is crucial to reduce the potential for relapse. Because addiction has so many dimensions, treatment may not be simple. One element of treatment that must not be ignored is counseling.

Therapy is a crucial part of treatment. This is why it is often integrated in most treatment programs. It aims to help the person focus on behavioral modification to recover faster and to prevent relapse. Experienced counselors teach their clients about addiction, inspire them to modify their lives, commend them on progress they make, and support them through challenges.

Will Counseling Help My Addition?

Counseling works by helping you acknowledge the existence of a problem or reasons behind seeking an addictive substance, though it largely depends on you. The counselor also empowers the client to stay away from the substance by developing the essential skills to prevent relapse for a long-lasting recovery. For you or your loved one to recover from addiction and prevent relapse, it may be necessary to enlist the support and guidance of an experienced counselor.

If you are in the middle of a relapse or a battle against addiction, we have contracted licensed therapists at Carolina Counseling Services – Fuquay-Varina, NC who can provide assistance and counseling so you can stay strong. Don’t wait for things to get worse before seeking help; we are waiting for your call.

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