With Drug And Alcohol Counseling PA Residents Manage Addictions

By Claire Bolton


Substance abuse is a growing problem in the United States. While it is most prevalent among teens and young adults, a person of any age can fall subject to addiction. With treatment offered by drug and alcohol counseling PA citizens find the help needed to manage their symptoms.

An addiction is considered to be a chronic condition. Like other chronic illnesses, there is no cure for this disease. However, individuals are empowered by treatment to manage their symptoms. Many have found the help offered allows them to live in abstinence from substance abuse, even though they continue to be an addict.

The best program for an individual depends on his or her personality as well as the substance being abused. Outpatient programs allow individuals to continue working and living at home. Residential programs require checking into a facility for at least a month and undergoing intensive therapy on a daily basis. Both programs offer assistance in managing the problem.

Many patients will need detox in preparation for the therapy program. A detox program addresses one's physical addiction to a drug. Withdrawal symptoms are often severe. In many cases, it is withdrawal that breaks a person's commitment to stop using drugs. With medical supervision, safety during the process is ensured.

As addictions to drugs affect the individual in many different social settings, counselors may use therapy to address these settings. For example, the client might spend time in a group setting or in one on one with the counselor. Sometimes, families are asked to participate in the treatment. Most often, counselors in this field approach the illness using cognitive behavioral therapy. This allows individuals to recognize triggers leading to substance abuse and find new ways to deal with the triggers.

When dealing with a teen, it is best to choose a program specifically designed to meet their special needs. Most teens do not do well in adult programs. These programs place special emphasis on group sessions that use peer pressure in a positive way to help the teen make better decisions in managing his or her addiction to drugs.

Once the client completes the intensive therapy program, he or she continues to need to manage the symptoms of addiction. Aftercare programs are an essential part of managing an addiction. This type of care can take place in a 12-step modeled support group or through continued meetings with the counselor for fewer sessions than took place initially.

Those fighting addiction as well as their family members should understand the nature of this disease includes occasional setbacks. Many people who successfully manage symptoms of addiction today have failed in the past. Sometimes they must go through the process again beginning with detox. At other times, they are able to return to therapy and begin managing symptoms again. Failures do not necessarily mean the program did not work.

Using drug and alcohol counseling PA residents find the help needed to manage addiction symptoms. Although managing one's symptoms may not be easy, the effort required is worthwhile. A good program provides the help to allow one to become productive again.




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