A drug counseling program provides a necessary support system for patients to overcome dependence on drugs and alcohol. A drug addictive individual negatively impacts the lives of people around him. A certified drug counselor helps the patient in recovering from drug and alcohol addiction and also works with his/her family to assist in the healing process. He also works with the patient on behavioral issues because of drug addiction. A patient can take part in a drug counseling program at rehabilitation centers, hospitals, outpatient facilities, and their own house depending on the condition.

A drug substance affects one’s brain and behavior that causes multiple disorders to the mind and body. A drug counselor evaluates the mental and physical state of a patient to assess if he or she is ready for the treatment. Once he decided what level of treatment a patient needs, he develops skills and behaviors that are necessary to fight and recover from the addiction. In a way, a drug counselor helps a patient to modify his/her behavior. A counselor also conducts counseling sessions with the patient’s family to deal with the situation and how to support the patient during the healing and recovery process. A drug counselor needs to ensure patients and their family:

• He is interested in their well being.
• He can empathize with their problems.
• He is there to listen and understand them.
• He is equally attentive during sessions.

Role of a drug counselor

• A drug counselor forms a relationship built on trust with the patients by giving them all the attention, supports, resources, and judgment-free guidance throughout the addiction recovery process.
• He meets with the family members during the separate sessions to support them during the recovery process. He helps them in confronting the situation and pulls them out of any kind of fear for their loved ones.
• A drug counselor helps a patient with both immediate medical intervention and long-term addiction issues by developing skills and behaviors to overcome from it.
• An experienced addiction counselor closely observes individual patients for personality traits, behavior change, and patterns of abuse. He carefully treats each patient as an individual with a unique history of addiction and drug abuse.
• During the counseling and recovery process, a drug counselor helps clients by reframing, feedback, and insight into each session. He also develops behavioral regulation and reality testing sessions to assist clients to understand behavior changes during the healing process.

A drug addiction recovery and healing process is usually a tough time for both patients and families. A professional and experienced addiction counselor involves in the whole process by establishing trust, creating session structures, and addressing individual problems with the help of appropriate techniques.