Addiction is an incurable disease that can be treated and managed successfully. With the help of qualified addiction recovery therapists and effective addiction counselling, addicts can live positive and enriched lives, devoid of substance abuse and relapse.

Addiction is a manifestation of severe underlying emotional issues and therapy sessions directed by professional addiction recovery therapists provide a safe environment to confront these issues and work through them.

Importance of therapy

Addiction recovery therapy is a critical element of treatment because addictive behaviours are symptoms of underlying problems. Simply ceasing addictive behaviour, while an important part of recovery, does not address the root causes of that behaviour.

While the fundamental nature of addiction treatment will remain the same, different individuals may require regimens that emphasise different approaches. Intensive one-to-one counselling and support group therapy assists addicts in the emotional phases of addiction recovery therapy.

An experienced addiction recovery therapist can assess individuals and determine a recommendation of individual or group therapy sessions, or a combination of both.

Individual therapy

Addicts need to learn how to cope with their feelings of fear and anger, as well as other feelings and emotions that they might have difficulty processing in order to express them healthily.

Focused individual therapy provides a safe and confidential setting, where addicts can divulge their problems and deal with their troubled pasts and core issues. This holistic approach to reaching the root of the addiction is instrumental in helping addicts understand their dependencies and avoid relapses.

Group therapy

Support group therapy provides an interactive platform for sharing experiences, and members can relate to the challenges and worries of fellow addicts. Support and hope emerges from friendships created at these meetings and addicts feel less alone and isolated in their struggle for recovery.

This environment of mutual support is in itself a source of encouragement and helps addicts in better managing their emotions and improving self-awareness. Receiving support from peers as well as giving that support back are some of the ways that group therapy empowers addicts to overcome addiction and step back into society.

Family therapy

Family counselling is an important aspect of effective addiction recovery therapy. Family members are able to provide more information about an addict’s dependency and lifestyle, allowing trained addiction recovery therapists to apply this insight to the addiction recovery process.

This also allows family members of the addict a chance to heal as they undergo counselling that mends relationships and re-instils the trust within families. With the help of qualified addiction counsellors, family members can be equipped with valuable knowledge to aid them in continuing to help their addicted relatives when they leave the rehabilitation centre.

While working through the difficult issues at the heart of addiction, addicts should be reassured that they are not alone, and that they have the support of their family, counsellors and peers.

By combining professional addiction counselling and treatment, in an environment of love, trust and understanding, addicts are able to learn the tools they need in the pursuit of abstinence and recovery.