The label “addict” is considered a disgrace to an individual as well as to the family. As such families try to keep an addicted member protected from the outside world and hide their addiction. However it is best if he is treated at an addiction center, discreetly if desired. There are different types of treatments for different types of addiction which may include detoxification, medication, therapies and counseling techniques all of which will return him to normalcy. Addiction counseling has been accepted as an essential component of the treatment course. Counselors have a basic understanding of the symptoms of different types of addiction, stages and the after effects of discharge from an addiction center.

The counseling session is one of the most important parts of treatment at an addiction center as it tends to concentrate on the root causes of addiction. The type of recovery program, monitoring and duration of treatment is based upon the counselors as they deal with the mental and emotional issues of the patient. It has been found that good communication with counselors at the addiction center has been found to prevent relapse in any type of addiction. Counseling differs from center to center, but some of the most familiar types are given below:

Individual counseling: This type is followed in all the addiction centers. The individual suffering from addiction keeps in constant touch with his personal counselor and all talks are frank and open. This helps in finding the root cause which led to addiction and other problems for which the solution will be found with the help of individuals themselves with proper guidance provided by the counselor during sessions. Individuals may take some time to get acquainted with the counselor, but it has been found that they feel at ease and discuss their problems after a few sessions.
Group Counseling: The sessions are conducted in groups which make the individuals share their problems, feelings and experiences. Most of the individuals would have lost self-esteem and they would open their feelings when the experiences are similar to those faced by other like-minded individuals. These sessions act as a stimulant as they make friends and express their feelings, issues openly.
Family Counseling: It concentrates on the reestablishing and rebuilding of the bonds the individuals share with their families. Since many addictions like heroin or alcohol affect the functioning of the brain, they are like to suffer from loss of reasoning, social skills and behavior. The individuals go through the worst phase of their life since they do not understand the harm they are causing to their family members. When the individual and the family, friends are confronted with each other in the presence of a counselor, the feelings of guilt and recovery are designed in a way to improve the recovery of the individual to lead a normal life.

The main objective of counseling is to make the individuals mentally strong which makes them responsive to therapies and medications to a large extent. Counseling helps an individual to express feelings in a more precise way and bring out hidden emotions, fears and thoughts.

Self counseling: An addict will try to detach himself and observe his condition, his past, his probable future, all with a detached objective view. Perhaps he will write down his observations and guided by a counselor he will write down course of action for these observations and arrive at a path leading to self recovery.

Addiction counseling techniques have been specially prepared by professional experts as it makes a person realize the evil effects and alternate, optimistic ways to improve their life without addiction. Regular counseling for the individual both at addiction center and after discharge helps to maintain control of their life without relapse.