Addiction Counseling
We view addiction as a complex but treatable disease that affects the brain function and behavior of an individual. As a vital component of substance use treatment, counseling and therapy play a significant role in helping individuals understand the causes of addiction, recognize risk factors for relapse, and develop coping mechanisms for stressful situations.
Role of Counseling in Addiction Recovery
The main purpose of addiction counseling is to address the underlying causes of the disease to prevent them from causing relapse. Although medication is a crucial initial step in treatment because it helps patients handle withdrawal and ease cravings, it does nothing to address the factors that led to drug use in the first place. Our counseling and therapy programs focus not only on the physical aspects of addiction but also on the genetic and environmental causes that contribute to the disease. By doing so, we aim to treat the physical and mental side effects, thus providing a comprehensive recovery plan for our patients.
Techniques Used in Addiction Counseling
In order to provide the most effective treatment plan, we employ a variety of therapeutic techniques that have been proven to be successful in treating addiction. According to the 2014 National Survey of Substance use Treatment Services, addiction treatment centers use behavioral therapies more than any other therapeutic technique. These therapies help patients understand the causes of high-risk behavior and develop tools for avoiding or coping with high-risk situations (DrugRehab.com).
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
This is one of the most widely used forms of treatment for addiction recovery. It helps individuals overcome challenges that perpetuate harmful drug/alcohol use and equips them with the skills needed to achieve recovery (NCBI Bookshelf).
Motivational interviewing
This approach seeks to increase an individual's readiness to change destructive behavior. It has shown promising results in addiction recovery.
Contingency management
An application of operant conditioning, it has been shown to be one of the most effective interventions in addiction recovery. However, its effectiveness often diminishes significantly after the rewards cease.
Importance of Family Support
Addiction is more than just an individual battle; it’s a family fight. Recognizing this, we emphasize the critical role of family support in our approach to addiction counseling.
Impact of Addiction on Families
Often referred to as a family disease, addiction disrupts the family ecosystem, affecting not only the individual with the substance use disorder (SUD) but also spouses, children, and other loved ones. It’s a pervasive issue that can even transmit between family members. For instance, spouses of individuals with addiction problems are more likely to become addicted themselves, and those who separate from addicted partners often reduce their own substance use.
Families dealing with addiction often experience a chaotic family life. The unpredictability and helplessness can be overwhelming. Children of individuals suffering from addiction may find their developmental needs unmet, develop unhealthy attachment patterns, and assume inappropriate amounts of responsibility. This increases their risk of developing substance use disorders themselves.
Family Roles in Addiction Dynamics
Family members often become caregivers for those battling addiction, assuming the burden of responsibility. This can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety, depression, fear, and anger. As caregivers, family members are at an increased risk for mental health disorders such as depression.
Despite these challenges, family involvement in a person’s recovery from addiction has significant benefits for both the addicted patient and other family members. Family members can support their loved one’s recovery by participating in the treatment process, attending family therapy sessions, and improving their own coping skills and understanding of addiction. When major issues in the family improve, the recovering person is more likely to stay in recovery, and other family members may be less likely to struggle with the same problems in the future.
We understand the key role of family in the recovery process. Our ‘family-centric’ approach to addiction counseling strives to involve and support family members, promoting a healthier family dynamic and a more robust support network for the individual in recovery.
Treatment Modalities for Addiction
When choosing one of our treatment centers for your substance use treatment, counseling, and therapy services, you’ll encounter various treatment modalities. These include behavioral therapies, which are crucial in addiction recovery, and the use of certain medications for relapse prevention.
Career Paths in Addiction Counseling
If you want to join our counselor team, please click here to request an interview. All candidates must be certified and/or licensed in the state of Maryland as an addiction counselor.
Types of Addiction Counselors
There are several types of addiction counselors, each with a specific role and set of responsibilities. One of the most common types of addiction counselors are Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselors (CADCs). These professionals are also known as Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) or Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC). The job descriptions, requirements, and training for these positions are virtually identical (Sober College).
In some states, like California, individuals interested in addiction counseling might start off as Registered Alcohol and Drug Technicians (RADTs). These individuals work as support staff in treatment facilities, providing a foundational experience before becoming CADCs.
In other states, like Virginia, there are multiple levels of credentialing for substance use counselors. This includes roles such as Licensed Substance use Treatment Practitioner, Certified Substance use Counselor, and Certified Substance use Counselor Assistant, depending on the individual’s degree level (Addiction Counselors).
Certification and Training Requirements
The certification and training requirements for addiction counselors vary based on the specific role and region. For instance, to become a CADC-I, CADC-II, or CADC-III, individuals must fulfill certain requirements including completion of supervised work experience, with hours ranging from 2,080 to 6,000 depending on the certification level and education attainment.
Educational institutions like Sober College offer training for CADC certification levels approved by the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals (CCAPP) and the National Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC). This training paves the way for various specialty certifications and advanced degrees in the field of addiction counseling.
In Virginia, the requirements for substance use counselors vary based on the level of credentialing. For instance, to attain the Licensed Substance use Treatment Practitioner (LSATP) credential, individuals must pursue a graduate degree of at least 60 semester hours, with specific coursework requirements and supervised residency hours, as well as pass the Examination for Master Addictions Counselors (EMAC) (Addiction Counselors).
Similarly, Certified Substance use Counselors in Virginia need at least a bachelor’s degree, along with 220 hours of didactic education in substance use, 180 hours of experiential tasks, and must pass the Certified Substance use Counselor Examination through the NBCC (Addiction Counselors).
For Substance use Counselor Assistants in Virginia, a minimum of a high school diploma or GED is required, along with 300 hours of substance use education, including didactic and experiential training, and they must pass the Certified Substance use Counselor Assistant Examination (Addiction Counselors).
Regardless of the specific role or state, the certification process for substance use counselors often involves a combination of education, training, supervision, and examination. This process is often overseen by a state board, such as the Virginia Board of Counseling, and involves multiple stages including registration, examination, and licensure application (Addiction Counselors).
As the field of addiction counseling continues to grow, so does the demand for trained, compassionate, and experienced professionals. We’re proud to employ a team of dedicated addiction counselors who meet these rigorous standards and are committed to helping our clients achieve recovery.