Individual therapy is one of the most crucial drug and substance abuse self-care processes. It involves a professional psychiatrist and a client having a private session for about an hour. The patient is free to discuss their progress in recovery and the reason for abusing drugs. The professional can then evaluate the triggers, possible causes, and remedy options for the patient. Such sessions help the person identify themselves and make them aware of the dangers of substance abuse to themselves and others.
In individual therapy, the patient undergoes a series of scheduled sessions where the psychiatrist determines notable progress from the first to the last session. The professional can identify if a person is still using drugs through a urine test or questioning in each meeting. Also, the therapist gathers information on the challenges that the patient is going through on the journey of recovery. The psychiatrist then offers suggestions to help the patient cope with the temptations. As seen with Pinnacle Recovery (https://pinnaclerecoveryut.com/), psychiatrists can also identify how other treatment methods such as detoxification and group sessions work. Individual counseling helps patients recover through:
Building Self-Esteem
The very initial aim of individual therapy is accepting oneself. The moment a person loves themselves, they choose not to intoxicate their body with harmful drugs. In most cases, low self-esteem and feeling worthless are common causes of substance abuse.
Setting New Goals
The psychiatrist from clinics that offer medication assisted treatment helps the client identify potential activities instead of substance abuse. The patient may choose to do something worthwhile in their free time to avoid getting tempted. Other goals that an individual may work towards include working overtime or joining a group therapy session with other people going through an addiction journey. Such groups act as social circles where the victims discuss their journey to recovery, challenges, and managing.
Expressing Feelings
Most people who abuse drugs find it hard to disclose their worries and addiction problems to other people. However, in an individual therapy setup, the person can talk about their innermost fears and problems that may lead to relapse and more drug abuse.
Identifying The Root Of Individual Drug Abuse
Drugs have almost the same effects on the body when taken, but the cause of drug abuse differs from person to person. One may take drugs due to peer pressure from friends, while another due to traumatizing experiences. Therapy sessions help evaluate the reason for abuse and fix the problem to prevent the patient from going back after medication. Knowing the reason for drug abuse gives therapists to address the addiction problem.
Make the Person Conscious of the Dangers of Drug Abuse
Through cognitive behavior therapy, the patient is aware of drugs’ harm to their social, economic, and health. For instance, a person who is almost losing his family due to alcohol abuse is made aware of the dangers of taking drugs to their family and the harm they can cause to people they care about when influenced. Cognitive awareness also helps a person make the right decision when in the outside world. Even after the treatment has stopped, the person should keep off drugs.
Individual therapy is crucial in helping a patient recover from drug abuse through self-recognition and self-awareness. It also helps patients express their thoughts and develop ways to solve their addiction. With the help of a professional, a patient can identify the social and individual effects of drugs and the harm they cause to others and themselves. Individual therapy also prevents relapse even after treatment. Also, identifying the cause of addiction helps in solving the addiction problem more quickly.
