Counselling is about treating the mind, body and spirit and helping people understand their illness and how it has affected not only themselves but also the people they love. Most rehabilitation clinics use a variety of counselling techniques and treatments to help patients overcome their illnesses. Patients are typically given a treatment plan tailored to their requirements, which will include a variety of treatments such as contingency management, individual counselling sessions, 12-step therapy, group therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and family therapy sessions. There are a number of different counselling services, specialising in addiction, available across the UK, so if you’re thinking about pursuing this in order to aid your recovery, be sure to do some research on the best counselling service for you.

When is Counselling Appropriate?

The aim of counselling is to help you explore – in a safe environment – the issues that are underpinning your addiction and to help you move forward. It is not the counsellor’s job to provide you with answers, but to help you find your own answers and to challenge negative or unhelpful thought processes. Counselling is most appropriate for someone who has managed to stop the substance or process that they are addicted to, and to help find ways of staying abstinent and preventing relapse.

When is Counselling Not Appropriate?

Counselling is not appropriate for someone requiring a medical detox. In order for psychosocial interventions to be of maximum benefit, the physical addiction must first be removed. If you attend the sessions whilst intoxicated, it is likely that they will serve little or no purpose at all.

What Are the Benefits of Counselling?

Addiction counselling is hugely beneficial in the treatment of addiction, but it will only work the individual is ready to make the necessary changes to his or her life. A large number of individuals enter rehab because they have been railroaded into it by family members who mean well but who do not understand that recovery from addiction is only possible if you want to change.

While addiction counsellors can support and help you through the process of rehabilitation, they cannot and should not be responsible for your recovery. It is up to you to take charge of your life and to make the necessary changes for a new and improved life. Addiction counsellors will be there to help and guide you through the process and will help you identify the cause of the illness. Counsellors will also teach you how to live a sober, independent life, but again, can only do this if you are willing to commit to the process.

Honesty is vital when it comes to addiction counselling. You must learn to be completely honest and open with the counsellor in order to have the greatest chance of success. A good addiction counsellor will know how to get you to open up and confront the issues that have led to the illness in the first place.

What Are the Benefits of Counselling?

With so many addicts preferring to live with their illness rather than reaching out for help, it is understandable that one may not know where to turn for help. Their first instinct may be to turn to the family doctor, but you may be surprised to find out that the local GP has little or no experience or knowledge of addiction and/or the best places for treatment.

There is a huge database available online, detailing all addiction counselling options in all parts of the UK and beyond. Patient care and safety is the number one priority, and each individual’s circumstances should be taken into account before any referral is made. The priority is to overcome your addiction, and ensure you are happy and comfortable while doing so. Once you have contacted a counselling service, they will discuss all of your options with you and will provide you with all the information you need to make the right choice for your care.