When Should Someone Seek Addiction Counseling?

• When a substance controls every aspect of a person’s life, consuming and enveloping them in the need for the addictive substance, a person should seek addiction counseling.
• When a person finds that their life is spinning out of control, they should seek addiction counseling.
• When an individual finds that they have reached rock bottom or finds that their loved ones are pushing them away, they should seek addiction counseling. 
• If a person finds themselves in legal trouble as a result of their addiction or finds that their health is suffering as a result of this addiction, they should seek addiction counseling.

Just as there is no one substance that an individual can become addicted to, there is no one answer to when a person should seek addiction counseling.  Whether or not to seek addiction counseling is a personal decision that can only be made by the person with the need for some type of addiction treatment. 

Chances are, if you are reading this article, you or someone you know has an alcohol or drug addiction.  Whether the addict can freely admit to their addiction or not, being armed with the educational and support tools needed for recovery can be an overwhelming process in and of itself.  However, when and if the addict admits to their problem, there are a variety of tools, support mechanisms and techniques available to assist them on their road to recovery.  The first step is admitting to the problem.

Usually, motivating problem drinkers/drug addicts to seek treatment starts when someone close to them realizes that the person is unable to help him or herself.  Loved ones shouldn't have to feel helpless, scared or confused.  There is a method called intervention that allows loved ones to help problem drinkers/drug users even if they do not want help.  Intervention is a group process that is used to motivate the individual to enter a drug rehab treatment program.  This is done by arranging a meeting with the person, friends, a family physician, employer, co-workers, minister or others who have closely observed the harmful effects of alcohol/drugs on the person’s life.  This gentle confrontation usually creates a turning point in the addicted person’s life by presenting a realistic picture of the harm that the substance has brought to the addict’s life. Participants tell personal stories about how the person’s addiction has affected different aspects of their life.

After intervention, the addicted person usually feels the need for professional assistance.  The basic belief behind this intervention is that the addicted person can be forced to accept the reality of their problems if their addictions are presented in a way that they can understand.  An intervention, if it is properly done, can force the addict to look at the disease head on and seek addiction treatment help.

Signs and symptoms for a variety of addictions vary however, for the most part, if a substance is controlling someone’s life or if they are consumed with obtaining and consuming the substance, chances are they need addiction treatment counseling.  Seeking help is a very difficult thing to do, especially for an addict.  However, with the continued love and support of their family, friends, co-workers, family physician and other members of their support system, anything is possible.

Addiction Counseling