What Role Do Addiction Counselors Play In Recovery

Addiction counselors specialize in a twofold approach, addressing both body and mind. Learn more about the techniques and customized options offered at The Dunes

Addiction counseling is a twofold approach beginning with physical detox, followed with psychological counseling and rehabilitation. This approach is used successfully in combatting prescription drugs, street drugs, and alcohol.

Responsibility In Recovery

At The Dunes East Hampton, our addiction counselors utilize cognitive techniques to help clients take responsibility for their actions and addiction. Many addicts find themselves struggling with a victim mindset, choosing to focus on justifying their behaviors. Our counselors work to redirect focus on these behaviors, the reasons behind them, and the affects and results of those behaviors. In this way, patients are taught to plan for damage control.

Recovery Empowerment Techniques

During recovery, addiction treatment counselors teach clients to take power over their actions. Addicts often become reactors. They automatically give in to the cravings. Patients must learn how to turn their reaction into a choice. Cognitively speaking, our addiction recovery counselors can teach patients to utilize a thought stopping technique. When patients feel a craving, they use a mental image, like a stoplight, as a signal to interrupt the automatic reaction. Patients can then choose to focus on an alternative feeling.

Identifying Vulnerability In Addiction Recovery

In order to combat cravings, our patients are taught to identify their vulnerabilities. Alcohol and drug use often occurs when someone is lonely, tired, angry or hungry. Our addiction counselors help patients identify personal triggers and concoct a plan to fight them off as soon as they present themselves.

Support – Key To Recovery Process

A strong outside support system is crucial to the recovery process. Ideally, recovering addicts will be able to enjoy post-rehabilitation life without the aid of our addiction counselors. (However, our treatment counselors are always available if clients struggle with temptation in between regular appointments.)

Maintaining a stable support system can help patients through these vulnerable periods. Perhaps one of the most well known support resources is Alcoholics Anonymous. At The Dunes East Hampton, our counselors encourage patients to attend these 12-step groups to help ensure continued support both during and following treatment.