People sometimes turn to using drugs and/or alcohol when they experience life stressors. This usually happens when individuals do not have any other coping mechanisms available. Substance use, abuse, and dependence are a worldwide phenomenon and they do not discriminate based on age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or any other qualifiers. Though biology can play a role here, it is not typically regarded as the sole cause. Through counseling and support groups, different areas of an individual’s substance use can be explored and processed.

If an individual has been using drugs and/or alcohol for an extended period of time, the brain chemistry has been altered, thus the compulsions to use again become stronger and stronger. Oftentimes, a user will act upon these compulsions and might engage in risky behaviors; show signs of impulsivity, aggression, or depression; and experience troubles with work, school, or relationships.

Counseling a client with a substance use disorder may involve the use of several therapeutic interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychoeducational work, motivational interviewing (MI), family therapy, or the use of the expressive arts (psychodrama, art therapy, music therapy, etc.). It is vital for the counselor and client to identify and discuss the client's triggers, relapse prevention strategies, support network, and in many cases, social skills training. Helping the client work through his/her substance-related problem, not against it, is paramount to positive treatment outcomes.

Recommended Resources:

Websites:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration www.samhsa.gov
• Alcoholics Anonymous www.aa.org
• Narcotics Anonymous www.na.org
• Al-Anon (support for friends/families of problem drinkers) www.al-anon.alateen.org
• Nar-Anon (support for friends/families of those with drug problems) www.nar-anon.org