When people think of addiction treatment and therapy, inpatient rehab is usually the first thing that comes to mind. As critical as inpatient treatment for alcoholism and addiction is, it’s only a starting point.

Sustainable recovery requires ongoing work with an alcohol counselor. This expert will support you in your journey to health and wellness. They can help you navigate your new world of sobriety and all that it involves. It is not an easy road, but it is manageable with the right support.

The team at Fair Park Counseling is here to help you through each step of your recovery. From initial assessment and placement through ongoing therapy, our compassionate counselors have you covered.

Do You Really Need an Alcohol Counselor?

The short answer to that question is yes. You absolutely need an alcohol counselor to sustain your recovery from addiction. They will be an invaluable resource for you and your family during your sobriety.

To successfully work through your addiction, you need the expertise and attentiveness of a trained therapist. Their knowledge and understanding will set you up for success.

An Alcohol Counselor Develops a Relationship that Supports You

Not everyone in your life will understand your recovery journey. Or you may not want to tell some people about your addiction struggles. You might even have to separate yourself from friends or family who won’t support your sobriety.

All of these situations are stressful and can lead to relapse if you don’t have the help you need. Building a strong relationship with your alcohol counselor will help you deal with obstacles to your recovery. And your counselor will celebrate your victories every step of your way.

Addiction counselors have extensive training in assessing where you are and helping you set goals and plans for where you want to be: sober. They create a safe space for you to share all of your hopes and fears and successes and struggles.

Your counselor will not sit in judgment over you. Instead, they will encourage you and hold you accountable as you work your recovery program. Alcohol counselors know how to watch for warning signs of relapse and will help you stay the course.

An Alcohol Counselor Will Help Your Loved Ones

Successful addiction recovery calls for a village of support. If you try to maintain your sobriety alone without any help, you will have a challenging path. But your loved ones may not know how to walk with you in a way that is useful and beneficial for your recovery.

Although experts now recognize that addiction is a disease, not a choice, that doesn’t mean that the general public has gotten the memo. Many patients in treatment feel that they are fighting for their lives on two fronts. They are battling their addiction, and they are battling a society that judges them as failures. Often, family members can behave that way as well.

An alcohol counselor is on your team to help you through this. They can guide and educate your loved ones in the best way to support you. They understand the disconnect that can occur between someone experiencing addiction and their family and will help bridge the gap.

As you and your family learn how to live in this new world of your recovery, there will be questions. It is normal for there to be any or all of the following emotions:

• Confusion
• Sadness
• Detachment
• Excitement
• Anger
• Compassion
• Hopefulness
• Worry

You will each experience different feelings and thoughts during this process, and your addiction counselor will help you navigate each of them.

An Alcohol Counselor Will Help You Make a Plan to Avoid Relapse

Although it does happen, falling off the wagon with a relapse does not have to be part of addiction recovery. An expert alcohol counselor will work diligently with you to prevent this from happening. They can help you discover and address potential triggers that could jeopardize your sobriety. These triggers may involve friends or family members, and your counselor can help you handle this as well.

They will work with you to identify who in your network can be your go-to for support during critical situations. You and your counselor will set up an emergency plan that gives you a blueprint for action when you feel like you are going to take a drink.

Recovery is not simple. It is not a one-and-done procedure. If you do relapse, your alcohol counselor will be able to help you start fresh on Day One. They are not your judge. They are your guide and your encourager.

An Alcohol Counselor Can Connect You to Support Groups

Alcoholism and other addictions rarely happen in a vacuum. Generally, those who experience addiction have different needs to address, as well. Mental health concerns, abuse, trauma, ADHD, and other issues add layers to addiction and recovery.

Your counselor will get you connected to outside groups that offer the right type of help for your needs. And some counselors also run their own support groups that may be a good fit for you. These groups are essential to recovery as they give you a chance to speak openly about your struggles with others who understand your battle. They are in the trenches too.

With a wide variety of groups that meet for various disorders and difficulties, your counselor will be able to point you in the right direction. There is something for everyone.

Fair Park Counseling Will Guide You to True Change

If you are ready to seek treatment for alcohol addiction or are finished with rehab and need support, our team is prepared to help. The excellent Fair Park team works with compassion and understanding to help you achieve sustained wellness.

We offer gentle yet comprehensive support for wherever you are in your recovery. From initial assessments to place you with an inpatient facility to ongoing counseling as an outpatient, we can help. Our staff knows that maintaining your sobriety and health will be a unique road for you to walk. But our experience and expertise have us poised to support you the whole way. Reach out today to get the help you need.