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Substance Abuse Counselor

An estimate of 23.5 million people worldwide are affected by substance abuse problems, as of 2009. Out of this 23.5 million people, only 2.3 million people sought out treatment that year. Unfortunately, many continue a repetitive cycle of substance abuse as they feel there is no one to care for them and they can not go at it alone. The truth is you do not need to go at it alone, a substance abuse counselor will be there for you each step of your treatment and to support you throughout your recovery.

We’ve Helped Thousands of Individuals Overcome Drug and Alcohol Addiction

If you or a loved one are ready to overcome drug or alcohol abuse, our addiction specialists are here to guide you through every step. Many of our dedicated staff members are in long-term recovery themselves and understand firsthand the challenges of the recovery journey. This personal experience, combined with our professional expertise, allows us to offer compassionate, effective support tailored to your unique needs.
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What is a Substance Abuse Counselor?

Substance abuse counselors are professionals who specialize in the treatment and recovery of substance abusers. They work directly with people suffering from dependencies to illicit drugs, prescription medications, inhalants and alcohol. These individuals work in many different places, all to help those suffering from substance abuse problems, such as educational centers, hospitals, mental health facilities, methadone clinics, private practice clinics, detention centers, drug rehabilitation centers, and detox centers. They are certified in the state they are employed and experienced in helping people like yourself to overcome their substance abuse problem.

What Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Do?

A substance abuse counselor will work with you to overcome your substance abuse problem in a therapeutic setting.The counselors purpose is to find the root of your addiction and help you to progress into sobriety. He or she will develop an individualized treatment plan for you, based on your underlying cause of addiction and personal recovery needs. They will help you to work past your addiction through education and teaching you how to live life without your substance of choice as a crutch. The purpose of your substance abuse counselor is to help guide you into sobriety through counseling.

Treatment Provided by Substance Abuse Counselors

  • individual counseling
  • motivational interviewing
  • contingency management
  • cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • family therapy
  • group counseling
How Does Substance Abuse Counseling Work?

When first meeting with your substance abuse counselor, he or she will discuss with you your addiction, as well as your past and what you see for your future. They will then attempt to get to know who you are and uncover what may have caused your substance abuse problem. Throughout your treatment, he or she will work with you to develop the most suitable way for you to lead you into a sober living lifestyle,each time you meet with your counselor there will be minor adjustments to your plan of recovery.

A substance abuse counselor will help you in identifying your addiction-related behavior patterns and help you confront your behavioral and emotional issues that may be holding you back in your recovery. You will find that some sessions will be easier than others, but with each session comes more progress and takes you a step closer to achieving your goal of lifelong sobriety.

Dr Kate Smith

Clinical Reviewer

Dr. Kate Smith is a licensed professional and has worked in the mental health and substance abuse disorder fields for over 10 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Florida Atlantic University, graduating magna cum laude from her class. She obtained her Masters in Social Work (MSW) at Barry University in an accelerated program.

More about Dr. Kate Smith

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Quit Alcohol’s helpline is a private and convenient solution for those seeking treatment for addiction or mental illness. Calls to our helpline (all non-facility specific numbers) will be answered by a caring rehab advisor from Treatment Addiction Solutions or one of our verified treatment partners. Calls are routed based on geographic location and will help you navigate:

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  • Additional factors such as co-occurring mental health disorders, family dynamics, and more.
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  • Understanding what to expect from the entire process so you can confidently get the help you need to start feeling better.

Our helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at no cost to you and with no obligation for you to enter into treatment. In some cases, Quit Alcohol charges our verified partner a modest cost per call, which helps us cover the costs of building and maintaining our website. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a visitor ultimately selects.