How to Find a Substance Use Counselor in Hazlet, NJ

If you are struggling with substance use disorder, you are not alone. According to the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 48.5 million people suffered from a substance use disorder in 2023.[1]

One of the most important parts of recovery is counseling. Substance use disorder therapists will help you identify the root causes of your substance use, recover from adverse childhood experiences, learn potential triggers for relapse, change negative patterns of behavior, and develop healthy coping mechanisms that make it possible to maintain long-term recovery. In other words, substance use counseling helps you make the changes necessary to stay sober.

Finding a reputable substance use disorder counselor can be difficult, especially if you’ve never received substance use disorder treatment before. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to make this process easier. When looking for a substance use counselor in Hazlet, NJ, you should check their credentials, determine what their specialty is, assess their treatment approach, and make an introductory appointment to see if your personalities mesh.

In this article, you will learn:

• What is an substance use disorder counselor?
• What are the signs that you need a substance use counselor?
• How can you find an substance use disorder therapist in Hazlet, New Jersey?

What is a Substance Use Counselor?

Substance use counselors or substance use disorder therapists are mental health professionals who provide you with support and guidance during the substance use disorder recovery process. They help you develop healthy coping mechanisms, set short and long-term goals, and work with you to achieve recovery through evidence-based therapies.

These mental health professionals work in private practices, hospitals, substance use treatment centers, and mental health clinics.

Substance use disorder counselors provide the following services:

• Assessment and evaluation of your substance use and mental health
• One-on-one counseling sessions to help you understand the root causes of your substance use disorder and develop the necessary coping mechanisms
• Group counseling sessions where you can share experiences with others and receive mutual support from peers
• Crisis intervention in the event of a relapse
• Family therapy to help educate your loved ones on the disease of substance use disorder and improve the support you receive at home
• Treatment planning and referrals to outpatient treatment or sober living programs
• Ongoing support and relapse prevention planning to ensure you maintain long-term sobriety

Signs You Need a Substance Use Disorder Therapist

If you regularly use drugs or alcohol, you’d probably benefit from substance use disorder counseling. That said, it can be difficult to determine whether you need professional help, especially if you are unaware of the signs of substance use disorder.

The signs that indicate you need a substance use counselor include:[2]

• Using substances for longer or in higher doses than you intended
• Spending a lot of time obtaining or using drugs and alcohol
• Wanting to quit using substances but being unsuccessful
• Experiencing urges or cravings to use drugs and alcohol
• Failing to meet responsibilities at home, school, or work due to substance use
• Using drugs or alcohol despite facing social or relationship issues
• Continuing to use substances even though they are causing physical or mental health issues
• Using drugs or alcohol in risky situations, such as while driving
• Needing to increase your dose of a substance to experience the desired effect
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using drugs or alcohol

If you have two or more of these symptoms, you are dealing with a substance use disorder. Substance use disorder therapists can help you navigate recovery and teach you how to maintain sobriety long-term.

How to Find Substance Use Counseling in Hazlet

The easiest way to find a substance use counselor in Hazlet is to research local therapists online or receive a recommendation from a friend, family member, or another health professional.

Once you have a few names to look into, you should take the following steps to determine if a substance use counselor is right for you:

Check Credentials

You want to make sure the substance use disorder therapist you are looking at is credible, competent, and a good match for your needs.

The first thing you should do is look at their credentials. Do they have an associated degree in substance use disorder therapy? How long have they been providing substance use counseling services?

If they have the necessary education and experience, you can keep their name in mind and continue researching them.

Determine Their Expertise

Next, you need to determine their expertise and what their specialty is. For example, some substance use disorder counselors specialize in family therapy while others have a focus on dual diagnosis care. If you have a co-occurring mental health condition, you should pick a substance use disorder counselor that offers dual diagnosis treatment.

Figure Out What Treatment Approaches They Use

Another thing to consider is the type of treatment they use. You always want to choose a substance use counselor that advertises individualized care. To explain, individualized care means your treatment plan will be based on your needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.

Additionally, you want to pick a counselor that offers evidence-based therapies for substance use disorder, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), or 12-step facilitation therapy.[3]

Make an Appointment

Once you’ve ensured they have the correct credentials, specialties, and treatment approaches, you should make your first appointment. You’ll have to meet with the counselor in person and have an introductory conversation with them to determine if their personality and method of counseling are right for you.

Sometimes, it takes several tries to find the right substance use counselor. What works for one person might not be right for you. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable opening up to the therapist, as substance use disorder counseling requires you to be open and honest about your struggles.

Get Connected to Substance Use Disorder Counseling in Hazlet, New Jersey

If you or a loved one suffers from substance use disorder, it’s time to seek professional help. At Blue Star Recovery, we offer reputable and evidence-based substance use counseling, ensuring you receive the tools and support you need to achieve long-term recovery.

Contact us today for more information on our treatment services in Hazlet, New Jersey.

References:

1. The Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Highlights for the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
2. Psychiatry Online: DSM-5 Criteria for Substance Use Disorders: Recommendations and Rationale
3. Science Direct: Evidence-based practices for substance use disorders