Frequently asked questions:
Where do I go for an appointment?
We can make arrangements to provide an assessment service closer to home. Find a location near you by clicking here.
There will be some costs associated with carrying out an in-person assessment. These costs will be discussed with you prior to booking any appointment.
Call 651-271-8530 or contact David Eichhorn & Associates online to start this process and to arrange an initial assessment or get any further questions answered today.
What is the Addict-Counselor Relationship?
The role of the counselor in addiction treatment is to provide support, education, and nonjudgmental confrontation. The counselor must establish good rapport with the addict. The addict recovering from chemical addiction deserves to feel understood and that he or she has an ally. Our counselors whole heartedly want to convey to the addict that he or she appreciates the difficulty of this struggle and the need for support through the recovery process.
What are the goals and objectives of Individual Drug Counseling?
Addiction counseling addresses (1) the symptoms of the drug addiction and areas of impaired functioning that are related to it and (2) The content and structure of the addict’s ongoing recovery program.
Throughout the course of counseling, the addiction counselor will:
1. Help the addict to admit that he or she suffers from the disease of chemical addiction.
2. Point out the signs and symptoms of addiction that are relevant to the addict’s experience.
3. Teach the addict to recognize and rechannel urges to use drugs.
4. Encourage and motivate the addict to achieve and sustain abstinence.
5. Monitor and encourage abstinence by using objective measures, such as urinalysis and Breathalyzer® tests.
6. Hold the chemically addicted person accountable for and discuss any episodes of use and strongly discourage further use.
7. Assist the addict in identifying situations where drugs were used to cope with life’s problems and in understanding that using drugs to cope with or solve problems does not work.
8. Help the addict to develop new, more effective problem-solving strategies.
9. Introduce the addict to the 12-step philosophy and strongly encourage participation in NA, AA, and/or CA.
10. Encourage the chemically addicted person to develop and continue with a recovery plan as a lifelong process.
11. Help the addict to recognize and change problematic attitudes and behaviors that may stimulate a relapse.
12. Encourage the addict to improve self-esteem by practicing newly acquired coping skills and problem-solving strategies at home and in the community.
The drug counseling sessions have a clear structure. However, within the framework of that structure, the content of the discussion is largely up to the addict. We make an effort to address effectively the addict’s individual needs at any point in treatment while also recognizing the commonality of many issues in addiction and recovery. People are indeed unique; however, the facets of a human addiction usually follow familiar patterns. The validity of both realities should be respected.
Have a different question?
Please call 651-271-8530, email me or fill out our online form to quickly get the answer you need.