Understanding The Complex Roles Of A Substance Abuse Counselor

By Harriett Crosby


Putting an end to substance abuse is never easy. To be successful, this requires professional help, steadfast determination and genuine desire. Counseling is a vital part to an effective program that help individuals, who are dependent on alcohol, drugs and other substances. As such, the services of a substance abuse counselor Pasadena is quite invaluable. They take into account all important factors that can help the patients quit.

Although the detoxification process efficiently eliminates the substances out from a patient's body, this is not enough. Since physical dependence is but one of the many facets of addiction, relapse is still a risk. Psychological, social and emotional factors must also be addressed. These are powerful stimuli that imperils the patients to regressing.

The counselors serve as guide in this grueling process. They make sure that the client keeps on moving forward without looking back. To this end, the professional extends help beyond merely addressing the issue of substance abuse. They also provide counseling in other aspects, such as the family, profession or marriage. Each aspect of life is interconnected to the others, so it must be dealt with holistically.

Moreover, the professional delves deeper into the issue. They try to understand what propelled the patient into addiction. This is vital in designing a program. Unless the counselor understands why the patient did it, he may not find out how to convince the latter otherwise. At times, this may take fixing old problems, ironing out a severed relationship or dealing with a past trauma.

The sessions also provide ongoing support to the patient as he goes along this long journey. Other than the family members and friends, it is best to have a professional who completely understands everything the patient has to go through. Leaving the patient helpless may cause frustration and breakdown. Premature help may be interpreted as rude intrusion, too.

Ultimately, the professionals help the patient recover. Aside from developing a program to convince one to quit, the counselors also educate their clients. They help one understand why he should quite addiction and never go back. They introduce coping mechanisms, communication skills, relapse prevention, problem-solving skills and stress management.

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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