Substance Abuse Counselor

Experienced substance abuse counselors often find that having heard only part of the story they already have an understanding of the problem, and can think of some good solutions. Many people come to substance abuse counselors assuming them to be “the one who knows” all about their problem, someone who can provide them with answers.

Addicts will present themselves to a substance abuse counselor, tell them everything that they think is important, and then say to the counselor - tell me what to do.

Some substance abuse counseling services are only too happy to provide you with a list of instructions: things to do, what you must not do, and ask you report back later to see how things are going. Without a lot of backup and support, and perhaps some further explanation, you might find this” new road” map a bit too hard to follow and not quite suited to your particular needs and circumstances.

If the advice you get is too hard to put to put in place, you will probably feel anxious and that that you are somehow “not good enough” because you are not able to follow it through.

Addicts will often write off counseling and start using again because the recovery program does not support their needs. They don’t feel understood and they don’t feel “listened to”.

Qualified holistic substance abuse counselors certainly know the problems that you are facing. Some have even had personal experience of or involvement with addiction. They also know that no matter how much training and experience they have had, everyone has their own personal story to tell.

The best thing about a holistic substance abuse counselor is that they will not tell you what to do. A holistic substance abuse counselor will help you to work out for yourself what are the best plans to put into action to help your recovery.

You will gain from the benefit of the experience of a holistic counselor, but they won’t be telling you what to do. Rules and plans are developed from you making a decision that they are right for you.

It is very empowering to feel that you have been really listened to, and that your opinions and thoughts are highly regarded as being important. Addicts are often treated by counselors as if they have “failed’ and need to be told what to do.

Most addicts know exactly what it is that they need sorted out in their lives. What they don’t know is how to make it happen. Holistic substance abuse counselors will not impose on you. They will simply make suggestions, and take notice of what you say.

With a holistic substance abuse counselor you will not come away feeling that you have been given a task that you need to manage on your own. Between you and the counselor,  you can work out the best answers to the problems which bother you. The holistic substance abuse counselor can come up with a lot of ideas that that you haven’t thought of before. He can help put ideas into action.

Take care when choosing your substance abuse counselor. Many substance abuse programs make use of equally addictive substitute drugs as part of a so called “cure”. Make your first step away from the slavery of addiction the rejection of drug use completely. Holistic substance abuse counseling is effective, empowering. It can have you free of addiction and 100% drug free.