Starting Point

Individual counseling involves patients speaking with a counselor or therapist about their addiction in a one-to-one setting. This type of counseling will often incorporate different forms of behavioral therapies such as CBT in order to help the patient understand their psychological relationship with substance abuse and develop techniques to manage cravings and future temptation.

Group counseling can takes place in both inpatient and outpatient settings and involves those afflicted with substances use disorders/behavioral addictions meeting to discuss their issues. This form of counseling can help create a level of empathy and understanding of others journeys with addiction, which can help to give perspective on an individual's addiction. It also helps to build a support network which helps reduce relapse and promotes positive relationships outside of substance abuse.

Family counseling for substance use disorders and behavioral addictions helps the patient repair relationships with those close to them through open dialogue around past miss doings that were caused by addiction. This helps reestablish trust and builds a support network for the patient.

Motivational Interviewing (MI) is often recommended as an evidence-based approach to behavior change and is often used in addiction treatment. MI is a more collaborative approach to therapy and requires patient and counselor to explore issues without advice, judgment, or a set path laid out.

Substance use disorder counseling can incorporate a wide variety of therapies and and treatment models.

Methadone is an opioid agonist that eliminates opioid withdrawal symptoms. This helps those addicted to opioids such as fentanyl, heroin, and painkillers by easing the withdrawal process.

Outpatient treatment centers offer the same level of care as inpatient settings while also allowing the patient to be able to return home each day

Most people experiencing opioid withdrawal will begin to feel symptoms within the first 8-24 hours after their last dose, and sometimes even sooner. Without a monitored detoxification, these intense withdrawal symptoms will often cause the sufferer to relapse. Opioid detoxification can include a course of medication to help alleviate cravings and manage uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.