With the prevalence of drug addiction today, the constant need for professional rehab counselling is imminent.

Drug addiction starts by consuming drugs and harmful substances and having an unhealthy dependence on them. The use of excessive drugs can pose detrimental effects to the body and lead to social and psychological damage depending on the type of drug used.

Who is prone to drug addiction?

Despite the excessive use of drugs not necessarily being diverse in people of all ages, race, ethnicity, and backgrounds, there are some common causes of drug addiction according to different people based on the following conditions:

• Genetic disposition

Different people have different personalities. Therefore, individuals who frequently need validation and are compulsive are more open to embracing drugs, thus becoming addicted over time. A family member who had an addiction problem increases the chance of similar patterns to other members.

• Life events

Traumatic life events such as stress, death, or abuse, makes an individual susceptible to drug use as a means to cope.

• Social pressure

The pressure from friends or social scenarios to try out drugs may propel an individual towards excessive drug use.

• Mental health conditions

Individuals who experience depression or anxiety are vulnerable to drug addiction as they indulge in coping.

Effects of drug abuse

Significantly, few drug addicts realize their addiction problem. Therefore, an individual’s family or close friends usually point out the need for rehab or detox. Besides, there are other visible prevalent signs and symptoms which indicate the abuse of drugs in a person:

• Physical changes

A drug addict is easily recognizable due to the evident physical changes in appearance. These include weight loss, tired and exhausted face structure, bloodshot eyes, and dilated or constricted pupils.

• Behavioural changes

Behaviours such as anger, irritability, aggression, and depression indicate drug addiction. Individuals also experience financial constraints due to spending all their money purchasing drugs.

• Psychological changes

The extensive and excessive use of drugs can disrupt brain functioning and affect organs, causing long term dysfunctional effects.

• Social changes

Drug addicts tend to neglect their family and close relationships as their time is occupied looking and consuming drugs. As a result, their social relationships start deteriorating.

Drug rehab counselling

The first step towards treating drug addiction is accepting the presence of an addiction problem. Individuals who seek to accept their addiction have greater chances of becoming drug-free and embracing treatment options that would make them better and functional humans in society.

During drug rehab counselling, the professional seeks to complete an all-inclusive assessment that aims to identify the level of scope of the individual’s addiction. After this assessment, the psychologist can start counselling approaches to help the individual deal with their addiction. This therapy process is spaced out in thirty, sixty, or ninety days.

There are various counselling approaches in drug rehab centers. This is dependent on age, level of addiction, and type of drug. Behavioural therapy is the first and standard therapy counselling mode as it seeks to identify an individual’s risk patterns and find ways to prevent them from happening. For instance, cognitive-behavioural therapy aids the patient develops coping mechanisms whenever they are faced with triggers in real-life situations. In contrast, dialectic behavioural therapy enables the individual to refrain from negative thoughts that may lead to self-harm. By controlling one’s emotions, an individual can focus on positive and constructive thoughts that will change their worldview.

Motivational counselling seeks to motivate the patient towards staying clean by maintaining their stance against drugs. This is usually prompted by the love towards their family or close relationships. There is also family or couples therapy, which incorporates the patient and their spouse or immediate family. As addiction affects every aspect of an individual’s life, having a wholesome inclusive approach creates an avenue for loved ones to transform with the patient during treatment.

Drug rehab counselling can be done in individual or group sessions. It is essential to work in a group session to work together with other individuals facing the same problem and realize that you are not alone in the journey towards living a drug-free life. Counselling encourages individuals towards healthier and fulfilled living by releasing previous guilt and mending destroyed relationships one step at a time. With the specific lifestyle changes needed for complete recovery, patients can prevent future relapses and stay away from triggers.

Why drug rehab counselling?

Drug rehab counselling is holistic and focuses on all areas of human well being. This increases the chances of success as the professional psychologist aims to identify the root cause of the addiction by engaging the patient and presenting them with an opportunity to realize their problems.

Counselling also provides addicts with a safe reflective space to evaluate their past traumas and finding ways to cope with them without the presence of drugs. It is best to complement counselling with other therapy forms such as the twelve-step program and inpatient or outpatient treatment.

Drug rehab counselling is private and confidential, and ethical guidelines bound psychologists or professionals to protect and guard their patients’ wellbeing. Drug rehab counsellors are also trained to educate, motivate, encourage, and help the patient in problem-solving techniques that will help them recover. The counsellors are supposed to be allies to the patient and offer therapeutic guidance centered on their well being. It is essential to go to a professional therapist or counsellor trained in different forms of therapy to be able to access different counselling techniques designed towards quick recovery.

As drug addiction is a lifetime battle to overcome, it is vital to understand the importance of consistent counselling even after rehab programs. There are outpatient counselling services available to patients long after they check out of the center, such as community reinforcement through support groups and bi-monthly counselling services. The ongoing counselling helps the patient prevent relapse and stay away from triggers or warning signs that may lead them back to addiction. Recovering addicts are encouraged to stay in contact with their counsellors in case of any indications towards relapse for assistance and guidance.