Five Reasons Substance Abuse Counseling Can Prevent Relapse

Substance abuse counseling can be instrumental in overcoming a substance abuse problem. Counseling can aid in the many aspects of self-recognition, honesty and commitment to change that is required for long term recovery. Substance abuse counseling helps the patient to recognize the thought patterns and behaviors that lead to addiction and can also support the patient to prevent relapse.

Identifying Triggers Through Substance Abuse Counseling
One of the most important functions of substance abuse counseling is to help the patient recognize the underlying issues that cause his substance abuse, as well as the many methods of self-pity and self-deception that keep him tied to the abusive behaviors.
Counseling can also be valuable in helping the patient to recognize the ?triggers? that can lead to relapse. These triggers can be very subtle and varied. A trigger can be something as benign as a song on the radio or the smell of someone lighting cigarette. A trigger can also be a return to a place where abuse occurred or a situation associated with substance abuse.

Helping to Identify Underlying Mental Health Problems
Because addiction often occurs in tandem with underlying mental health problems, substance abuse counseling can help to identify these issues so that they can be properly treated. Effective mental health treatment can significantly increase the odds of success for full recovery and minimize the risks of relapse.

Helping To Recognize Codependent Behaviors
Family substance abuse counseling can also help the patient to recognize how other people part in encouraging his substance abuse. This behavior is called ?codependence,? and can include actions such as giving the patient money or housing, making excuses for his actions and helping the patient even when it is to their own detriment. Substance abuse counseling can help to break this cycle of codependence and abuse, so that the patient can remain on the road to recovery without danger of relapse.

Helping To Heal Family Wounds
Another way that counseling helps to prevent relapse is to repair family ties that are often strained because of the substance abuse. Family members may have become distrustful, apathetic, frightened, ashamed and depressed by the abusers actions. Substance abuse counseling can assist the patient in repairing family bonds and ties with friends that can be critical in staying substance-free.

Helping You To Stick To Your Recovery Plan
Counseling also has value in helping patients to stick to their designated recovery plans. They can help the patient to remove mental and emotional obstacles to their success and help them to clarify the actions they need to take to remain substance-free.

If you or someone you love is suffering from substance abuse or mental illness and is in need of substance abuse counseling, please call us today at 1-877-380-9777.? Our counselors can help you deal with physical, emotional and psychological consequences of addiction and mental illness.? Substance abuse treatment is effective, safe and has helped many men reclaim their lives. Destination Hope is a full service drug, alcohol and dual diagnosis treatment facility in Florida for men suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues.

Source: http://www.drugrehabfl.net/2012/10/22/five-reasons-substance-abuse-counseling-can-prevent-relapse/

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