Counseling in a drug rehabilitation center can be a critical part of recovery from addiction. Therapy with a group can help the patient know that there are others who have experienced similar or worse problems. This may bring new coping mechanisms to the surface to help in recovery. This type of therapy can occur in group sessions or individual meetings with specialized therapists.
Rehabilitation
Patients initially enrolled in a center may be afraid of not being able to handle all the things happening in his or her life. This may be where therapy plays a critical role, as other patients can help with the adjustment period and the person realizes that he or she is not alone in facing change. Routines can be established during time in treatment, and the therapy can start to offer a framework for discussions on addiction and recovery.
Therapy
Therapy sessions may be the first chance a person has to really sit down and think about the issues surrounding his or her addiction. Patterns of problems or triggers that lead to feelings of need for escape can be addressed in these sessions as the patient talks out his or her problems. As discussions unfold, he or she may hit upon revelations that can lead to further lifestyle changes.
Therapy
Solutions may begin to work their way to the surface from these first steps in conversations with others. Members of the group may discuss how they have dealt with similar issues, such as dealing with cravings by reorganizing and restructuring their days to fight addiction and push their minds to move on to different things. Making a list of goals or general issues to deal with can help get someone with addiction problems to move in a positive direction and keep busy.
Journaling
Journaling may be a critical part of the counseling process, where the patient keeps track of thoughts and feelings day to day. He or she may decide to share the writings with a therapist or others in group sessions. These journals can help highlight dangerous cycles in thought patterns that may spark addictive behavior.
Trained Professionals
Personal, individualized therapy also may be part of the time spent in rehab. A counselor trained in dealing with substance abuse or other types of addiction may be a sounding board for the patient as he or she works through the issues surrounding his or her behavior. This type of counseling can be crucial to help get a patient thinking in new terms about what the addiction means and possibly its causes in his or her life.
Aftercare
Therapy may extend beyond time in in a drug rehab treatment facility. Additional sessions can take place in a group setting or with a counselor from the center. These types of gatherings can be critical as a patient readjusts to living life without substance abuse outside of the treatment facility, and can be sessions where he or she may vent about issues or take pride in progress made in recovery.
The group counseling in rehab can help move a patient’s life out of the pain of addiction and into a time of recovery. You may find it worthwhile to do some research online to see what different programs and drug treatment facilities are available to you in your area, or seek help from a local expert to find a treatment center that can help you regain your mental and physical health as well as control of your life. The right therapy may be just what you need to start over.