Substance Abuse Counselors and Their Roles in Addiction Recovery

At Victory, we have learned that our patients succeed when they are paired with a substance abuse counselor that best meets the patients’ needs. It’s important to note that the matching of a counselor with a patient takes time and patience. Each patient has their own unique situation and individual personality. Finding the perfect match of the right counselor for the patient is the first step towards that patient recovering and overcoming their addiction. The role of a substance abuse counselor cannot be overlooked – they are crucial in aiding in one’s recovery. 

Victory Recovery Partners employs several types of counselors that work with our patient population; this includes CASACs (certified alcohol and substance abuse counselors), LCSWs, MSWs and mental health workers. Our counselors are educated and knowledgeable about substance abuse – they can use their experience (some of which is personal experience) to help our clients succeed and become sober. The addiction recovery field is often known as one of the most difficult and challenging fields to work in – however, this motivates our counselors to push themselves to do their best work.  

Once a patient is matched with a counselor, that counselor will determine whether the patient is suffering from substance abuse, an addiction, or both. It is important to note the differences: substance abuse is the misuse of drugs or alcohol, whereas addiction is the misuse of substances that causes chemical changes in the brain. An addiction is often a chronic condition that requires both immediate and ongoing attention.  

Developing a close patient-counselor bond is often the first step towards a successful recovery. Once the patient develops a level of trust with the counselor, they can work together to overcome the hardships that brought about the addiction in the first place. With that being said, our counselors have several responsibilities to ensure that a patient is receiving proper treatment. This includes the counselor making it known to the patient that they are fully invested in the patient’s health and wellbeing, showing empathy and compassion towards the patient, and providing a safe and confidential environment where the patient can feel that they can express their thoughts, feelings, and emotions – without being judged. 

One of the most important roles of a counselor is to help the patients devise a relapse-prevention strategy. While our patients frequently overcome their addictions and go on to live fulfilling and productive lives, there is always the possibility that a relapse can occur. To avoid a relapse, our counselors work with their patients to identify triggers (both internal and external), and warning signs that could signal the beginning of a relapse. In addition to this, substance abuse counselors will ensure that the patient has a secure and trustworthy source of support, such as from trusted friends and family.  

Our counselors’ roles do not stop there – they do much more than just individual counseling. Since our founding in 2018, we have seen just how significant outpatient groups are to a patient’s recovery. Group counseling provides a safe, welcoming, and secure environment for our patients to express themselves, while feeling included and valued. In a group setting, patients will see that they are not alone – they are all fighting similar battles.  

Unlike many other outpatient centers, Victory Recovery Partners does not only provide counseling – we are unique in that we provide total care and services under one roof. This includes behavioral health, wellness, MAT (medication-assisted treatment), and psychiatric services all under one roof. By doing so, we provide an environment and setting where our patients can receive the proper care and treatment needed to help them succeed and overcome their addictions. By maintaining an extensive staff including but not limited to substance abuse counselors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, registered nurses, and certified medical assistants, our patients can be assured that they will receive proper care and exceptional service. To learn more about Victory, visit our website www.victoryrp.com