There are many different meanings and definitions on the web about what addiction is, which makes it a highly misunderstood condition. Many think that addiction is a sign of moral weakness and that stopping that addictive behaviour is simply a matter of willpower.
However, several research studies have proven this is not the case and certain structural changes in the brain make getting out of the addiction a more daunting task for any individual. Another commonly misunderstood concept about addiction is that all people who use drugs or drink alcohol regularly are addicted and that being “addicted” describes them as being dependent on a substance.
In reality, this is not always true. People who consume drugs and alcohol regularly are not addicted, and others who are addicted may not be physically dependent on the substance.
So, what does addition actually mean?
Addiction is a non-medical term that points out to a wide range of mental illnesses called Substance Use Disorders. There are different types of Substance Use Disorders like Alcohol Use Disorder, Stimulant Use Disorder, and Cannabis Use Disorder, just to name a few.
How does addiction progress
Over a period of time, an untreated addiction often progresses and gets worse. An individual who is addicted to drugs or any other substance abuse material might need to stop all the other important activities and consume the substance that he/she is addicted to. A person might also develop a tolerance to the substance, needing to use more of it in order to get the same effects, which can increase the risk for further consequences.
Depending on the substance being used, a person might also get physically dependent on the substance, which might result in uncomfortable or even dangerous symptoms when they stop using the substance.
On the other hand, some people might not be as physically addicted but may notice they have slightly become more dependent on the substance in somewhat other ways. For example, they might be using drugs or smoking weed to cope with stress, get rid of depression or pain and face daily tasks and activities.
This growing dependence on the substance could be described as an addiction, regardless of whether the dependence is physical in nature or not.
Is addiction treatable?
People in the beginning stages of addiction or those with the few signs of addiction might be suffering from mild Substance Use Disorder and people with loads of signs and symptoms are more likely to go through moderate or severe Substance Use Disorder. With proper treatment, counselling, care and attention, a person with Substance Use Disorder can get rid of the symptoms and put their disorder into remission.
The Role of Counsellor in Deaddiction
An addiction counsellor has one of the most crucial roles during addiction recovery.
People suffering from addiction know how devastating this disease can be. Sometimes a person abusing substances believes they are managing it themselves while in reality, their addiction is controlling them. A licensed addiction counsellor can help a person to be sober all time.
The counsellor helps individuals recover from disorders such as drug addiction, gambling, and behavioural issues. A counsellor builds a relationship with the individual and builds trust with the patients, provides support, and resources and deals with all the patients with no prejudices.
An addiction counsellor works together with their patients and evaluates their situations and develops a customised plan. Our counsellor is a great listener and possesses all the necessary traits that are needed to help individuals with their problems. The sessions will begin with simply laying down the foundation for trust which is very vital for a successful outcome.
The Counsellor Creates Trust
Accepting that you need treatment for addiction problems takes plenty of effort. It calls for a great deal of trust between the counsellor and the individual. When a patient tries to build an alliance with a counsellor, they must have trust. The main role of the counsellor is to make the patient feel comfortable enough while sharing their feelings. This shows the patient that someone out there is ready to help them even in the toughest times. The counsellor needs to have a trustworthy relationship with the client. If not, recovery will be very difficult. A trusting relationship between the counsellor and the patient helps the patient to know that the counsellor is attentive and a good listener. It also helps the patient to know that the counsellor is not here just for the money but for the betterment of them and has empathy towards them. With this, the counsellor can easily talk about the foundational issues of the addiction and can be better at communicating the plan as well as the reasons and root causes of the problems.
Encourage Patient Recovery
Another important role of the counsellor is to focus on the patient’s recovery. Recovering is difficult, sometimes recovering from alcohol addiction may lead to frustration. And while it is completely up to the patient the counsellor can only help during the recovery phase. The most important thing a counsellor can do is to treat the patient with respect, by becoming their friend. Being genuine, showing affirmation and empathy are also a few of the important traits a counsellor can show towards their patient.
Another way is when the counsellor challenges the patients always lead to opposite results. The more the patient is provoked the more they drink. In the end, change is in the hand of the patient only. A counsellor can learn the patient’s style to enhance motivation. The counsellor is not to only listen or teach but it goes far beyond these things. The responsibility of a counsellor is to recognise problematic behaviour and guide them into recovery. Motivate and empower them to take care of themselves and encourage them to start working towards a better future. A counsellor can help the patient in getting back on track on their professional track.
Develop a Plan in Case of Relapse
Those who do substance abuse are more likely to relapse after a while of being in recovery. A large portion of people who undergoes therapy were diagnosed with release sooner or later. No one can guarantee a lifetime of recovery and that is why preparing a relapse plan in advance is very crucial. Relapse doesn’t mean all the treatment just goes down the drain, instead, it shows that the treatment needs to be adjusted so that it can best help the patient. Just like the medication can be changed if not working, similarly, therapy can be modified with time to best suit the betterment of the patient.
The decision to take therapy to cure your addiction itself is hard, but the patient needs to be focused and well equipped to avoid relapse in the coming future. It takes a great deal of willpower to say ” NO” when the temptation arises. developing a progressive relapse plan is an essential function of the counsellor.
The plan for relapse recovery needs to alter according to the patient’s needs but the main points to be considered are:
- A detailed account of the previous relapse if it happened.
- The warning signs that are especially important to the individual patient.
- The list of all the close family and friends who can be found around the patient during relapse.
- Lifestyle changes a patient is trying to undergo to stop addiction from elapsing.
- An emergency relapse plan.
A Relationship With Friends and Family
The friends and family need to know what is going on in the patient’s life. Part of the counsellor’s role is to make sure that the family members are well aware of what is going on so they can provide support. Not all family members know whom to turn to when in need so a counsellor can make sure that the family members have the right information at the right time. The support of friends and family plays an integral role in recovering from addiction.
Refer Patients to Outside Support Groups
As a counsellor, adding another level of outside recovery can make a great impact on an overall recovery plan. Recommending programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous can help the patient as well as the family of the patient for better treatment. Patients are surrounded by individuals with similar backgrounds, and can further share their stories, wisdom, and struggles in a non-judgmental environment. From patients to their families and friends, a counsellor plays an important role. Let it be for the patient to talk openly. Talk about their struggles with addiction. To address plans to avoid relapse, it is important for a counsellor to be highly empathetic and have a passion to build a better relationship with their clients.