What Does an Addiction Specialist Do?

What Does an Addiction Specialist Do?

• Mandy Sandhu
• 11 Jul 2024

Anyone who has suffered from any form of substance use disorder (or knows someone who did) can attest to how devastating it can be. This is why including an addiction specialist in the recovery process is beneficial.

Licensed addiction therapists are a critical part of every recovery program. They go above and beyond expectations to offer guidance and support to patients at every step of treatment, whether outpatient, inpatient, or continuing care programs.

What does a counsellor do? They have unique experiences and methods for helping patients through withdrawal, addiction, and recovery. Let’s explore their role in recovery further in this blog.

What Counsellors Do for Addiction Counselling 

In addiction therapy, counsellors will either have experience with various modalities or choose which method they think a patient will best respond to. At Freedom from Addiction, we use both individual and group counselling. Below are some forms of therapy we use for counselling victims of behavioural addiction or substance addictions:

Individual Counselling

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): A short-term form of psychotherapy in which patients re-evaluate the way they perceive stimuli
• Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT): A method of managing harmful moods and behaviours
• Solutions-Focused Therapy: Focuses on goals and solutions, rather than the addiction problems
• Narrative Therapy: A way to look at situations and feelings as stories to discuss their significance

Group Counselling

• Psychoeducational Groups: A way to educate participants about mental health and behaviour
• Dialectical Behavioural Therapy Groups (DBT): Focuses on using speech to improve habits, emotions, thought processes, and perception
• Skills Development Groups: A method of developing skills that help with substance abuse management
• Motivational Interviewing: Using personal goals and motivations to encourage recovery and self-awareness

How Does a Therapist Help Patients? 

What do counsellors do during counselling sessions? They can greatly impact their patients’ thinking, actions, mental health, and recovery pace through any of the practices above. Here’s what their professional relationship with patients entails in closer detail.

Build Therapeutic Alliances with Patients 

A therapeutic alliance refers to the cooperative working relationship between a patient and a mental health professional, which is needed for successful addiction therapy. Its three key elements include:

• Agreeing on the treatment goals
• Understanding the process
• Developing a personal bond of mutual positive feelings

It’s the addiction therapist’s responsibility to form a meaningful but unbiased relationship with the patient—one that’s enough to make them feel safe and comfortable to open up about their emotional trauma and other delicate matters relevant to their addiction. 

They must recognize their addiction counsellor as a trustworthy and reliable support system that can guide them toward unlearning negative habits and coping mechanisms through helpful health advice, without fear of being judged. 

Encourage Continuation of Treatment 

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Although acknowledging the need and finally deciding to seek drug addiction counselling are the first major steps toward recovery, consistency and compliance throughout the whole process are more important.

Patients often have mixed emotions about seeing a drug and alcohol counsellor. They can change their minds or lose motivation at any point. While addiction therapists can’t force patients to do anything unwillingly, they can gently but persistently encourage them to pursue recovery.

Help Patients Understand Relapse 

Addiction specialists help patients and their loved ones understand the chronic nature of addiction as a medical condition. Studies show that approximately 40 to 60% of individuals in recovery will relapse at one point in their lifetime.

Drug and alcohol counsellors guide patients with a comprehensive relapse prevention plan designed to deliver continuing care once the patient has completed treatment and steps out of the controlled settings of rehab. Addiction counselling could include the following:

• Education on the stages and warning signs of relapse
• Identification of potential relapse triggers
• Redefinition of the patient’s concept of fun
• Help with self-destructive behaviours
• Development of positive coping mechanisms and support system

Offer Additional Support to Loved Ones 

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Addiction doesn’t only affect the person abusing; it also impacts the lives of spouses, parents, children, siblings, or friends. However, family and loved ones are valuable support systems that should be used for the benefit of the patient. Addiction counselling can make this possible by: 

• Assisting the family to stage an intervention 
• Educating them about patient care and support
• Teaching them about the chronic nature of addiction and the risk of relapse
• Helping them set realistic expectations within the context of relapse
• Encouraging them to consider family therapy sessions
• Referring them to therapists and local support groups for family and friends

Reliable Addiction Specialists at Freedom From Addiction 

Freedom From Addiction is one of Canada’s leading addiction recovery facilities. Aside from our evidence-based approaches, we also offer the most comprehensive health services and a competitive team of healthcare professionals to support your healing journey. 

We have highly qualified therapists and addiction counsellors well-trained to give the mental health support needed. We’re experienced in treating individuals and helping families cope with various alcohol and drug addictions. Beyond professional competence, our addiction counsellors are compassionate as they guide patients in pursuit of a fulfilling life in sobriety. 

If you have concerns or inquiries about our addiction treatment programs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our treatment consultants are available 24/7 and will be happy to assist you.

Contact us today to find health services personalized for you, your family members, or your loved ones.