If you are thinking about going into recovery there is a lot to consider. Having support though is something that is highly recommended. Not everyone will want or even need the same support system and what works for someone else may not work for you. Know your options and try them all! You may not connect right away but give it time. Below is detailed information about what a support person can do for you.
A counselor is a person with a professional license that allows them to give guidance to individuals or groups who are seeking support. A counselor will have a combination of education, training, and licenses all of which will vary depending on the state that they will practice in.
A peer mentor is someone who is can provide mentoring to individuals not at an authoritative level. A peer mentor typically has encountered similar situations as the person they are mentoring. For example, a peer mentor in the chemical dependency field is typically someone who is in recovery themselves. Peer mentors are able to be empathetic to their peers. Every person who receives mental health help or services has different needs. While some individuals thrive with their counselors, others may thrive with a peer mentor. Oftentimes, people will open up to somebody who has “been there, done that.”
A sponsor is part of the 12-step program and is somebody who has completed the program. Sponsors work hand in hand. For those who are sponsors, helping someone else keeps them on track and provides confidence. It is their way of giving back to the community. For the person who is being sponsored, a sponsor is someone who can guide them, help them, and be there for them through the difficult times that they face during sobriety. Sponsors often develop lifelong friendships with those who they sponsor and the idea is to keep the program in full circle.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers
Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers
Dual Diagnosis treatment centers were designed so that people who suffer from more than just drug addiction or mental health can get the help that they truly need. You see if someone has a dual diagnosis the chances are that they are going to need to visit specific dual diagnosis treatment centers to really have a chance at getting healthy. When dealing with dual diagnosis it is important to note that counselors need to have a set of specialized training if they want to be effective. Dual diagnosis treatment centers really take some different approaches than your run of the mill center which is typically only dealing with just the addiction piece.
Shouldn’t everyone just go to dual diagnosis treatment centers anyway?
Often times we hear people ask if,since addiction is typically combined with other mental issues, if they should just go to dual diagnosis treatment centers anyway. The easy answer is no not unless you have actually been diagnosed with a true disorder such as manic depressive or bipolar as these require specialized treatment alongside drug and alcohol rehabilitation. If you are suffering perhaps not from something diagnosed in this way then dual diagnosis treatment centers might not be the best option for you. That being said we try not to tell what you to do from a medical standpoint and you should always check with your own doctor. You could probably get away with not going the dual diagnosis treatment centers route if you are dealing only with addiction.
What do dual diagnosis treatment centers do differently?
Well dual diagnosis treatment centers approach treatment with needing to fix both the alcohol or drug addiction alongside severe to moderate mental illness. Sometimes the addiction is a component directly related to the mental problems one is having and other times it can be completely seperate. It is both these times where dual diagnosis treatment centers come into their own because they are trained to help people through dealing with both as effectively as possible. At times this means isolating one from another and focusing on this first before moving on. Other times dual diagnosis treatment centers will attack both problems head on for maximum effect. Whatever the case any time you are dealing with full on psychiatric issues dual diagnosis centers are going to be your best bet.
Dual diagnosis treatment centers training
Dual diagnosis treatment centers often have specialized training for their staff encouraging/requiring them to learn as much about the different mental illnesses when coupled with addiction problems as well. Having staff that are able to handle all manner of addiction and drug related problems and also treat severe mental illness situations leads to a much higher chance of success in your recovery. This is not to say anything bad about centers which do not specialize in dual diagnosis but is simply meant to highlight the important role that dual diagnosis centers have in the recovery process.
In the end, dual diagnosis treatment centers can provide an appropriate choice for people who are suffering from more than just addiction or drug problems. It is not however exclusive and does not restrict those from going if they do not have a dual diagnosis it just offers a specific place for those that do. Dual diagnosis treatment centers offer the most comprehensive approach to treating those with a combination of psychiatric and drug or alcohol problems. If you have experience in dual diagnosis treatment centers we ask you to provide your opinion or experience so we can share it anonymously with our other readers.
The Disease Model of Addiction vs Existential Therapy
The disease model of addiction is obviously the more favorable model of addiction as the majority of chemically dependent individuals utilize this approach. It’s been proven over again that this model of addiction is effective and true in regards to encouragement.
My own personal belief is that will power and determination play a much bigger role in determining one’s fate. One example is Existential Therapy. I like this approach because of the freedom counselors and therapist have in implementing techniques. They are able to adapt the techniques they know to help the client in the realization of their unique identity. Therapists and counselors are also able focus more closely on the individual needs of the client, bringing out their identity.
Some critics however, claim that using existential therapy limits proper treatment due to the fact that they do not diagnose or properly or assess. There are other methods that work in addiction and in the end it’s really up to the client to find a program that uses approaches in which they believe will work for them. If the disease model of addiction leads someone to a life without addiction at all then by all means it’s effective. Each counselor should be choosing their own treatment methods for their clients and if that is the disease model of addiction then so it should be. However it is important that one not stick just to one specific idea in order to ensure the clients get the best possible care.
Common problems during treatment
Dealing with problems when you are seeking out help for your addiction is something you are going to have to get used to. The process of sobriety is never a straight line. However, there are some problems that are caused by the actual choice of treatment itself.
Many traditional treatment programs or 12-step meetings struggle with these problems because are they are self caused. The introduction of these problems is a major issue because they can cause unneccessary relapse even if the main addiction treatment process is working ok for the individual.
Common problems that can occur in treatment:
- Recovering individuals as counselors
- Confrontation as a treatment strategy
- The use of medication
- Controlled use
Recoverying individuals
Recovering individuals as counselors can only be good if they have the interpersonal skills and education to back it up. Often times counselors in recovery don’t have this and then they try to mold the client into their own way of thinking because they simply believe they know it all because they have been through the experience themselves.
Confrontation strategy
Confrontation is not always beneficial in counseling or at least thought that way anymore. The success rate of recovery is much lower when confrontation is involved. The solution? Have empathy and compassion and avoid confrontation as much as possible.
Medication usage
There are medications that are prescribed for addicts that may be counterintuitive; meaning trading once addiction for another. A successful treatment plan will eliminate all drugs, even if they are assumed to help.
Controlled use approach
Some users and abusers believe that they can go through treatment with controlled use. This doesn’t work as it’s merely the client’s perception of what is controlled. A treatment plan should only include eliminating the drug of choice completely.
If you are currently getting help for your addiction then you need to be careful to avoid these problems. Alternatively seek out an online addiction recovery program like Live Rehab which can help you recovery without dealing with what we’ve mentioned in this article.
How I would apply the rules of Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt Therapy is about helping you recognize that being present is the most important rule.
If I was implementing this approach while working with you, I would discuss my method and explain to you why it works. I believe that implementing rules without an explanation does not create the confidence that is needed. Then, after the trust is established I would be firm in my expectations but also have empathy and compassion. If you slipped and asked a question instead of a statement I would simply remind you of the rules and gently ask you to rephrase what they were asking. Implementing these rules may be uncomfortable at first but the once the you observe success you will understand the rules better and a beneficial outcome will be recognized.
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