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Understanding The Complex Roles Of A Substance Abuse Counselor

By Harriett Crosby


Dealing with substance abuse is never easy. This feat requires steadfast determination, genuine desire and professional help. Counseling is an essential part to any program that helps individuals who have become dependent to controlled drugs, alcohol and the likes. A substance abuse counselor Pasadena is vital to the success of such programs. More than understanding the client's needs, there are several other considerations that the professional must take into account.

Depending on the substance and the individuals involved, the detoxification process may not be enough. Physical dependence is only one aspect to consider. Although detoxification removes the substances from a person's body, the patient may still have high risks of relapse. Emotional, psychological or social factors are too powerful stimuli that may cause the patients to regress. The patient may still need counseling.

The counselors will serve as a guide throughout this grueling journey. Starting a new life dissimilar to the ones you used to have never comes easy. The professional provides help beyond just putting an end to addiction. They see to it that the patients stop for good. At times, they may also need to attend to the patient's profession, marriage and family. After all, the aspects of life are interconnected, so an issue with one will eventually lead to another.

The counselors also try to understand why a person resorted to substance abuse. Only by understanding the reason would they be able to formulate the most effective program that could persuade the patient never to go back. Sometimes, the counselor also helps in straightening out broken relationships, dealing with traumatic experiences in the past or fixing an old issue.

Counseling sessions provide constant support to the patients when they need this the most. Aside from friends and family members, a professional, who understands what the patient is going through, is indispensable. With the efforts the patients have to go through, it is easy to get frustrated and break down. A sincere help can easily be misinterpreted as an unwelcome intrusion.

Furthermore, the professional creates a program for his client. This is aimed to help the patient recover quickly and easily. They make the patients realize the ill-effects of substance abuse. They are made to understand why they needed to stop. They are also taught problem-solving skills, communication skills, relapse prevention, stress management and coping mechanisms.

They work with the family members, too. Keeping a healthy relationship among family members can reinforce the program's efficiency. The process gets much easier when the patient realizes that he is not alone. Unfortunately, some family members may be unwilling or merely unaware. The counselor can be a big help in this case.

The counselors also have valuable connection to other professionals whose expertise are indispensable. Having been working in this field, they are pretty much familiar with available community resources that are helpful to their clients. This includes medical and psychiatric care, financial assistance, housing assistance, child care and vocational training to name a few.

Due to the profound roles of a substance abuse counselor Pasadena, it is not surprising that the state remains watchful with this profession. The certification process is streamlined throughout the country. Each region implements specific guidelines in assessing an aspiring counselor's qualification. Official recognition is only provided to worthy individuals to maintain high standards.




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