A Complete Guide to Individual Counseling for Addiction

individual drug counseling in Delray Beach

A Complete Guide to Individual Counseling for Addiction

The complex disease of addiction not only affects your physical body but it also leaves devastating emotional and mental consequences. Oftentimes, individuals struggling with addiction suffer from an inner battle with feelings of isolation and shame. These negative emotions are known to be a major aggravator of the cycle of substance abuse. Because of this, an important element of substance abuse treatment includes individual drug counseling.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse, individual addiction therapy might be the exact thing you need to initiate your recovery process. Individual drug counseling in Delray Beach provides patients with a safe space to confront their past and current issues, allowing healing to take place. To understand what individual therapy is and how it can help you in your recovery, continue reading.

How Individual Counseling Works

Individual therapy involves just two people; the counselor and the patient. Individual counseling sessions range in duration and frequency depending on the program and the patient’s unique needs. Typically, individual therapy is held once a week for an hour-long session, however, some patients may have longer and more frequent sessions.

Individual drug counseling in Delray Beach is one-on-one, focusing on addressing the specific problems a patient might have. In addiction treatment, common issues of concern during therapy include tackling the shame society burdens addicts with, the difficulty of dealing with withdrawals, co-occurring mental health conditions, and struggles with relapse.

Overall, one-on-one therapy allows patients to discuss their issues without fear of judgment. Therapists are trained to have an unbiased position regarding patient information, allowing individuals to fully trust their counselor. This type of support, guidance, and professional advice is vital in the addiction recovery process.

The Benefits of Individual Drug Counseling

Individual addiction counseling is beneficial for an array of reasons. This form of therapy gives patients the time and space to discuss their addiction in a safe and discreet environment. Additionally, patients receive full attention from their counselor, maximizing the amount of time they have to address specific issues and reducing the number of unnecessary distractions associated with alternative treatment protocols.

The benefits of one-on-one addiction therapy allow patients to treat their substance abuse while simultaneously recovering from any additional issues they may suffer from. Some specific benefits of individual drug counseling include:

  • Improving personal and social communication skills
  • Effective self-exploration
  • Developing self-awareness
  • Learning healthy coping skills
  • Recovering from co-occurring disorders and dual diagnosis

Individual therapy is designed to focus on the connection between a patient’s thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. In doing so, patients are able to identify negative patterns of thought and behavior, while replacing them with positive, healthy alternatives. While individual therapy is not a cure, utilizing this facet of addiction treatment provides a progressive process that helps individuals to overcome addictive thoughts and behaviors.

Types of Evidence-Based Individual Therapy

There are many types of individual therapy used in addiction treatment. The type of therapy a counselor decides to use will vary depending on the individual’s needs. Individual counseling sessions in addiction treatment facilities focus on teaching patients the skills needed to get and stay sober as well as how to navigate difficult situations without turning to drugs or alcohol. Typically, behavioral therapy is the most commonly utilized component during substance abuse treatment. However, a general behavioral therapeutic approach has been adapted into a variety of therapy techniques. Let’s take a look at the common forms of individual drug counseling.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is applied in the treatment of an array of problematic substance use. Patients treated with CBT techniques focus on recognizing and changing maladaptive behaviors.

CBT helps patients to:

  • Learn healthy coping skills
  • Identify risky situations
  • How to maneuver risky situations
  • Learn how to prevent relapse

CBT may be combined with other therapeutic techniques. Additionally, the skills learned during CBT continue to benefit patients long after the therapy is completed. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is also used to treat co-occurring mental or physical health disorders.

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Dialectical behavioral therapy may be adapted for many substance abuse cases. However, this form of therapy mainly focuses on treating severe personality disorders, such as borderline personality disorder.

DBT helps patients to:

  • Reduce drug or alcohol cravings
  • Help patients avoid situations or opportunities that cause relapse
  • Assist in giving up actions that reinforce substance use
  • Learn healthy coping mechanisms to replace drug and alcohol abuse

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

Motivational interviewing is a method of resolving ambivalence in recovering individuals. This allows them to fully focus on their treatment efforts while changing their problematic substance use behavior. While MI is facilitated by a therapist, those in recovery are able to develop their own motivation and plans for change over the course of several sessions. This provides patients with more of a sense of control over the course of their treatment. Typically, this form of therapy is beneficial for individuals who are not feeling as confident in their recovery process, as it helps them to gain confidence and motivation in sobriety.

Contingency Management (CM)

Contingency management is effective in treating several types of substance use disorder. For example, CM is great for treating alcohol, opioid, marijuana, and stimulant addiction —and is utilized to encourage or reinforce sobriety. This method provides rewards as motivation for positive behaviors, such as maintaining sobriety. This form of individual drug and alcohol counseling is extremely beneficial in reducing two of the biggest addiction treatment-related issues: leaving treatment early and relapse.

The Matrix Model

The Matrix Model utilizes a combination of evidence-based therapeutic techniques and was originally developed for the treatment of patients with stimulant addictions. Therapists focus on rewarding good behaviors and teaching patients to believe in themselves. As a result, self-esteem, dignity, and feelings of self-worth increase. The National Institute on Drug Abuse describes the Matrix Model as being highly focused on “relapse prevention, family and group therapies, drug education, and self-help participation”.

Get Started With Individual Drug Counseling in Delray Beach, FL Today

If you or a loved one are in need of individual drug and alcohol counseling in Delray Beach, look no further. Florida Recovery Group is an experienced, highly rated, and state-licensed treatment center that will help you begin your journey of recovery. Contact us today for more information on drug and alcohol treatment, individual therapy, and how to get started.