The Role of an Addiction Counselor
As someone with nearly 40 years of experience with addiction on both ends of the spectrum (I’ve personally walked the path to sobriety and have dedicated my life to helping others), I always try to stay attuned with what people truly need during the most challenging periods of their lives. For many, the services of an addiction counselor can prove crucial to their recovery. That’s why I am so proud to have Brad Langenberg as a valuable partner in recovery.
In short, addiction counselors support those struggling with substance use disorder (SUD) in defining and pursuing recovery goals through expert guidance rooted in compassion and clinical knowledge. They work to identify the root causes of addiction to develop a multi-pronged approach that blends guidance, care, and support, all crucial to long-term recovery.
My close friend Brad Langenberg is a certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) with over three decades in behavioral health, recovery services, and trauma-informed care. His role at A Time to Heal: Family Interventions is to help facilitate the treatment of substance use disorders by designing a personalized pathway tailored to your individual needs, while building a foundation of support for you and your loved ones throughout this challenging journey.
Learn more about addiction counselors and how they may be able to support you or your family while you find recovery.
What Does an Addiction Counselor Do?
Substance use disorder counselors are trained to deliver substance use disorder care with empathy and precision. Their role is multifaceted and person-centered. Most importantly, it involves identifying the root cause of aSUDs, designing tailored strategies for treatment, and helping those struggling to avoid pitfalls that could derail progress.
Understanding Root Causes of Addiction
A key concern of counseling is assessing and recognizing the root cause of substance use disorders. These causes aren’t a weakness or signs of moral failure. SUD is a mental health condition that can arise as a result of emotional, psychological, and/or social trauma.
Once the root cause of the substance use disorder is identified, a counselor can help devise a treatment strategy that addresses the underlying causes, helps the individual manage their symptoms, and prepares them to recognize potential roadblocks they may encounter through their recovery journey. Just as importantly, an addiction counselor can help the individual learn how to address these roadblocks and triggers properly.
Leveraging Various Techniques to Treat Addiction
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to treating substance use disorder. An addiction counselor develops a personalized treatment plan and case management for each client, utilizing a range of evidence-based techniques and strategies.
These may include:
- Individual therapy to address the underlying trauma at the root of addiction
- Assessment and setting short- and long-term recovery goals
- Group counseling and support during and after treatment
- Developing strategies to prevent the recurrence of substance use
- Offering referrals to rehabilitation programs and specialists
To reiterate, there isn’t a single path to treating substance use disorders, and recovery can take a long time. Working with an addiction counselor to focus on the unique facets of your recovery can help mitigate the stigma often associated with SUDs. In addition, their services can help you ensure that you and your family have the support you need to overcome addiction.
The Importance of One-on-One Support in Recovery
Outside of inpatient or outpatient SUD treatment, substance use disorder support often takes the form of group therapy or a 12-step program approach. Despite their popularity, most individuals find they cannot rely on group support alone. One-on-one support from a certified addiction counselor could mean the support you need to achieve and maintain recovery.
One-on-One Support Offers Personal Guidance and Emotional Safety
When you work one-on-one with an addiction counselor, you receive personalized guidance and support tailored to your unique experiences, needs, and goals. Your counselor helps you develop a strategy that addresses the root cause of your substance use disorder and supports your long-term recovery. This entails strengthening emotional resilience, learning coping skills, and creating a structured aftercare plan that promotes continued growth outside a structured treatment program.
One-on-one support gives those with substance use disorder the emotional space they need to commit to recovery and the confidence that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a clear path forward that can give you a sense of direction even during the most challenging moments.
Difference Between One-to-One Support, Group Therapy, and 12-Step Models
One-on-one support in SUD recovery can differ significantly from group therapy and 12-step programs for recovery, though many treatment plans incorporate all three modalities to provide comprehensive addiction care.
Group Therapy
Those engaged in group therapy are offered SUD education and are provided with generalized advice and coping strategies, such as emotional regulation and relapse prevention techniques. Group therapy may also help those struggling with addiction identify behavioral patterns linked to their substance use disorder while giving them an avenue to share their experience and benefit from mutual support.
12-Step Programs
12-step programs are much more structured than group therapy and offer peer-led support groups that focus on accountability and community connection while making acceptance a key step in recovery. These groups are more financially accessible, often low-cost or free, and they offer individuals a strong network of support.
While both group therapy and the 12-step models can be helpful, they may not provide sufficient support for individuals who are at the beginning of their journey or those who are going through substance use recurrence. These programs often fail to address the root causes or offer support for the specific needs of the person struggling with substance use disorder.
Role of One-to-One Therapy
One-on-one addiction counseling is fundamental to filling the gaps inherent in group therapy or 12-step programs. You can expect to have different experiences at different phases of treatment, especially as you cycle through the stages of behavior changes.
Pre-Treatment
During pre-treatment, you or your loved one who is struggling with SUD may not be ready to commit to recovery. A counselor works to build trust with the individual, explore their motivation, and assess the root causes of their substance use disorder. They work to educate them and their loved ones about what the disorder is and the treatment options available to them. They can also address barriers to treatment and how to overcome them.
Early Recovery
The early recovery phase is often characterized by challenges that can derail initial commitment. An addiction counselor can provide structured support, including emotional support, and teach clients coping strategies to manage stress and cravings. They help participants develop goals that can become ongoing encouragement during their journey. This phase is also crucial in educating family members on how to support their loved ones.
Post-Treatment
During post-treatment, an addiction counselor can aid those who have completed formal treatment successfully transition into daily life. This is done by promoting a reliance on healthy coping strategies, addressing potential triggers post-treatment and how to handle them, offering to monitor progress, and providing referrals to resources, including therapists or group counseling programs.
What to Look for in a Certified Addiction Counselor
Finding the right addiction counselor is not always a straightforward process. As with any other healthcare professional, it is essential to understand the qualifications that make someone a suitable fit for the role of addiction counselor.
You should ensure that any addiction counselor you work with has proper and up-to-date credentials in substance use disorder treatment, including Substance Use Disorder Clinical Care (SUDCC), and that they are licensed as a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC). Credentialing ensures that the individual is adequately trained in treating SUD through clinically based approaches and that they adhere to the highest standards of care.
Working with an addiction counselor who has specialized training in trauma-informed care and recovery-focused techniques, including relapse prevention, is also essential to achieving successful addiction recovery. You should also work with a counselor who can help you address a crisis with confidence. Look for a counselor who understands how to adjust treatment plans based on changing needs so you can navigate setbacks successfully.
The right counselor is also able to deliver care and guidance with compassion and discretion, maintaining strict confidentiality and providing judgment-free care. This is especially critical for individuals concerned about their privacy, including those in high-profile positions.
How Addiction Counseling Supports the Family
Substance use disorders affect more than just one individual. It can also cause significant emotional distress for their family. The right addiction counselor understands the impact of the disorder on a person’s family and works to provide them with adequate support throughout the recovery journey.
Communication, Boundaries, and Family Dynamics
An addiction counselor can help families develop better communication skills with their loved ones and can educate them on how to set proper boundaries while still supporting their family members. Families are also shown how to provide compassionate support without enabling behavior that contributes to SUD.
Counselors can also educate family members about substance use disorder, helping reduce the stigma around SUD.
Family Inclusion in the Recovery Process
Addiction counselors understand the importance of having support from loved ones during recovery. By helping families improve communication, set healthy boundaries, and understand the nature of SUD, addiction counselors also open the space for family members to be active participants in their loved one’s recovery journey.
Family members can offer valuable insight into the individual’s daily life, including potential stressors, health concerns, and relationship dynamics that may negatively impact their recovery. They can also play a role in monitoring progress and help shape recovery goals so they reflect their loved one’s needs. Each of these aspects should align with the individual’s unique situation.
Referral Coordination and Ongoing Support
Another benefit for families of those working with addiction counselors is that they can be referred to support groups and family therapy. Addiction counselors can also provide educational resources that can help family members cope with their loved one’s condition and ongoing treatment. This added support and resources can help families develop a sense of community and healing.
When Should You Reach Out to an Addiction Counselor?
Seeking support for a substance use disorder is critical at any stage, whether it is at the early stages before treatment, or even after treatment, or during emotionally challenging periods.
You may consider reaching out to an addiction counselor if you have identified these early warning signs of SUD in yourself or your loved one, including:
- An increased reliance on substances to deal with stress
- Changes in moods and behaviors
- Difficulty carrying out tasks in their daily life or hobbies
You should also be vigilant after completion of treatment, as substance use recurrence can occur as you or your loved one transitions back to daily life. Ensuring there is sufficient structure, support, and accountability after treatment is essential, and contacting an addiction counselor can be crucial at this stage to ensure your progress is not derailed.
Meet Brad Langenberg: Certified Addiction Counselor
Brad Langenberg is a certified addiction counselor, sober coach, and recovery companion who has successfully supported individuals and families in tackling substance use disorder for decades. Through his compassionate, client-centered approach, Brad offers clients the tools to develop emotional regulation and create the structure that can help them achieve resilience and long-term sobriety.
As an addiction counselor, Brad utilizes trauma-informed care, case management, and family support to help those affected by substance use disorder find the path to recovery that is unique to them and effective based on their short- and long-term goals. He specializes in working with high-profile individuals who require tailored addiction care with the highest level of discretion.
Ready to Start?
Working with an experienced addiction counselor is the first step to long-term recovery from substance use disorder. You deserve to be supported by a compassionate professional who can address your unique challenges while helping you discover the root causes of your addiction and develop a long-term strategy that helps you cope with the most stressful life events in a healthy way.
I know you can do this, and we can help.
Stay Strong,
Jim
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, talking to a certified addiction counselor is a powerful first step. Call us today to learn more about working one-on-one with Brad Langenberg and begin the journey to lasting recovery. Book a Free Consultation or Call Now.
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