Basic Counseling Skills
  • Home
  • A. TECHNIQUES
  • Pattern of Sessions
  • Active Listening
  • Body Language
  • Asking Questions
  • Paraphrasing/Tone
  • Summary
  • Note Taking
  • Homework
  • Goodie Bag/Fun Stuff
  • Technique References
  • B. THEORIES
  • Client Centered
  • Holistic/Biopsychosocial
  • Strengths Based
  • Cognitive/Behavioral
  • Solution Focused
  • Existential Therapy
  • Letting Go
  • Theory References
  • C. SAMPLE SESSIONS
  • 1. Client Centered Counseling
  • 2.&3. No Show/Cancellation
  • 4. Strengths Based
  • 5. Cognitive Beh. Counseling
  • 6. Holistic Health Counseling
  • 7. Solution Focused
  • 8. Existential Counseling
  • 9. Becoming Unnecessary
  • D. SELF HELP
  • Journaling
  • Mood Mapping
  • Whole Health Check In
  • Community Resources
  • Ten Things I Like About Me
  • Common Lies We Tell
  • Goal-Setting
  • A Why to Bear a How
  • Happy People
  • Self-Help References
  • E. CONTINUING EDUCATION
  • F. SITE MAP
  • G. CONTACT ME!
  • H. READERS' CONTRIBUTIONS
    • Addiction and Sleep - Jessica S
    • Alcohol Counseling - Carol G.
    • Depression and Addiction Rehab - Katherine C
    • Quit Smoking and Alcohol Rehab
    • Reducing Stigma - Patricia S.
    • Suicidal Thoughts and Alcohol Abuse - Julia W
    • Recovery Village - William B.
    • Bereavement Counseling - Sally W
    • Personality Traits - Sally W
    • 3 Solutions to Worst Fears - Paige M
    • 30 Min Reduce Anxiety - Paige M
    • Restorative Power of Arts & Crafts - Sally W
    • 3 Ways - Rid of Sunday Scaries
    • Conquer Fear of Flying - Sally W.
    • Document Anxiety through Journaling - Sally W
    • Career Options - Sally W
    • School Counselor ToolKit - Serena K.
    • Psychology Degrees - Lindsay F
    • Depression and Addiction Rehab - Katherine C
    • Diagnosing Depression - Melissa M
    • PostPartum Depression - Tracey F
    • Assisted Living Options for People with Disabilities
    • Wheelchair Home Safety - Michael M
    • Cerebral Palsy Resources
    • Counseling and Persistent Pain - Sally W
    • Mesothelioma Guide - Corine F.
    • Mesothelioma Resources
    • Finding Start Up Success - Eva B
    • Cleaning House for Better Health - Cheryl C.
    • Destress/Clean Home - Cheryl C
    • Financial Stress - Sally W.
    • Financial Debt - Sally W
    • Be Happy - Hazel G.
    • Gut Health & Mental Health - Sally W
    • How Having a Skincare Routine
    • Counseling the Impoverished - Sally W
    • Conquering Interviews - Eva B
    • Daily Journal Routine - Paige M
    • 4 Journaling Tips for Beginners - Shristi Patni
    • Drug Dangers - Rebecca P.
    • Recall Report - Laura P.
    • Living Mindfully - Mollie Wilson
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Sally W.
    • Couns. Resources - Tim C.
    • Practical Financial SKills - Johanne H
    • Nutrition to Help Anxiety - Sally W
    • Retirement Career Change - Sally W
    • Managing Phobias - Sally W
    • Healing Power of Pets - Sally W
    • Geriatric Counseling - Sally W
    • Counseling Seniors with Anxiety - Sally W
    • Senior Resources - Claire S.
    • Addiction and Sleep - Jessica S
    • Better Sleep - Better Health - Cheryl C
    • Treating Insomnia - Sally W
    • Tuck Sleep - Kellen S
    • De-Fogging Brain - Sally W
    • Recovery from Sports Injury
    • Improving Mental Clarity - Sally W
    • Indoor Air Quality Can Affect Mental Health - Sally W
    • Stress on Health - Sally W.
    • Stress Management - Sally W
    • Suicidal Thoughts and Alcohol Abuse - Julia W
    • Summer Side Gigs for Teachers - Joyce W
    • Tobacco in 2017 - Mary G.
    • Take Control of Your Life - Dorothy Watson
    • No More Winter Blues - Rufus Carter
    • How I Put Anxiety Attacks on Pause
    • 8 Effective Tips for Improving Mental Health - Camille Johnson
    • Manage And Reduce Stress For Your Employees With These Tips - Rufus Carters
    • Moving Forward When Grief Intrudes in Your Life - Camille J
    • Working Remotely - Emma Grace Brown
    • Unlock Greater Confidence - Rufus Carter
    • Coping With a Mid-Life Crisis - Rufus Carter
    • 6 Self-Care Tips - Laurie Abner
    • Help a Loved One After the Loss of a Spouse - Rufus CarterNew Page
    • Relocating After a Tragic Loss - Lucille Rosetti
    • Guidelines for Teens Who Want to Thrive as Entrepreneurs - Lucille Rosetti
    • 5 Common Lifestyle Habits That Can Cause Skin Damage - Andrew Mark
    • What to Do if a Loved One Is Battling Addiction
    • From Addiction Recovery to Financial Independence
    • Major Life Transition - Ryan Randolph
    • Find Your True Path - Ryan Randolk

Resources for Substance Abuse:
What to Do if a Loved One Is Battling Addictio

The AAMC reports that 21.2 million adults suffer from a substance abuse disorder. No matter the age of the person, over time addiction can alter brain chemistry, cause serious health complications, lead to legal repercussions, and lead to job loss and financial issues. Eventually, serious drug or alcohol abuse increases a person’s risk for suicide and death. So what can you do if someone you love is struggling with substance abuse? Here, Basic Counseling Skills provides some helpful resources.

Is Your Loved One An Addict?Addiction is a serious disease that changes a person’s body chemistry to make them dependent on the psychological and physical effects of drugs or alcohol. It’s not always easy to spot addiction. Sometimes people will hide their destructive behavior until it is out of control. The term “high-functioning addict” is often used to describe those who maintain a functional day-to-day life while abusing their substance of choice. However, eventually all substance abusers – even the high-functioning ones – will break and succumb to the destructive effects of letting drugs or alcohol control their lives. Early intervention can help prevent the most devastating effects and make recovery a less difficult endeavor. Look for the early warning signs of addiction:

  • Changes in behavior or mood swings
  • Social withdrawal
  • Neglecting obligations
  • Changes in appetite
  • Dental decay
  • Lack of attention to hygiene or appearance
  • Seeming spaced out or distracted
  • Red, bloodshot, or glassy eyes.
  • Sudden complaints of feeling ill or having flu-like symptoms
  • Problems at work or school
  • Financial issues
  • Excessive fatigue or agitation
  • Sudden changes in social group
  • Physical changes such as losing weight


Available Treatment OptionsAlthough addiction affects many, there is not one right way to treat it. What works for one person may not work for another. Sometimes, substance abusers will need to try multiple avenues of treatment before finding a combination of therapies that work for them. It’s important to show your loved one patience, but it is also just as important to be up front and honest with them. Treating addiction is never easy and feeling supported can be a major boon to a person’s recovery efforts.
 
You can also help them to find programs or facilities that offer treatments they want to pursue. Listen to them carefully to ensure you understand what options they want to try, then search together for rehab centers in your area that offer those programs. Note that many facilities offer both inpatient and outpatient options, so know what your loved one prefers moving into their treatment.
 
Here are some of the addiction treatment options available:
 
  • The 12-Step Program is a system used by Alcoholics Anonymous and other compulsion therapy groups like it. When going through the 12-steps, the participants surrender themselves to their “higher power” while they seek healing through the process of making amends, taking a moral inventory, admitting fault, self-reflection, and participating in service.

  • Religious-based recovery methods often use the 12-Step Program, but instead of simply using the concept of a vague “higher power,” the treatment is more specific about which higher power the person is surrendering to.

  • Holistic drug rehab programs seek to treat the whole person mentally, spiritually, and physically. The idea behind holistic drug treatment is that if one aspect of the person is suffering, it will affect the other aspects just as much. Holistic drug treatment doesn’t just treat addiction, it also addresses the underlying concerns that contribute to it. 

Encourage Your Loved One to Take ResponsibilityDuring the worse phases of their addiction, many people create financial messes, and some may lose their jobs. These financial hardships, combined with the cost of treatment may feel overwhelming. Once the acute phases of treatment have been completed, it may be worthwhile to encourage your loved one to transform a hobby into a part time job, such as baking, or selling their crafts. In addition to generating income, this can be a source of pride and self confidence.
 
While you should never carry the burden of being your loved one’s counselor or only confidant, you may find it helpful to learn some basic counseling theories as you support them through this process. Basic Counseling Skills can be a great resource for this information. The site is organized like a book, so you can read through it at your own pace and return to specific places of interest.
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Find Ways to Support Your Loved One’s JourneyAddiction is a disease that affects both the mind and body. Seeing the signs of addiction is not always easy, but in time the problem eventually destroys the addict’s life. Seeking treatment as early as possible can help mitigate problems. There are many treatment options available – 12-step, religious, holistic, etc – and each person responds to treatment differently. It’s important to be patient and supportive as a person struggling with substance abuse goes through recovery. Doing so helps improve their chances of making it through treatment and returning to create healthy and productive lives.
 
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