Alcohol and drug addiction are the commonest forms of addiction in the world, and there are a good number of treatments which are available for addiction recovery. Counselling most times takes place within the framework of the mental health pathways of addiction.

Counsellors have a particular method of treatment, what they do basically is, evaluate and assess the addict, the results gotten from the assessment will be used to create a specific treatment pattern for the patient.

Hence, in order to make headways in addiction process, counselling is an integral part of recovery. For individuals who want to attain an appreciable level of sobriety, there is an enhanced level of willpower which is needed. There is also a need for specific skills, tools and the likes, which would aid in managing certain aspects of the addiction recovery process such as regular stress, triggers and cravings.

In addiction recovery, counsellors build trust and empathy with their patients. They ensure that a safe atmosphere is created for patients, so that they can open up concerning their addiction. Hence, the counsellor would rather approach the assessment with an empathy point of view, rather than judgment.

Counsellors always ensure that they help recovering addicts see the adverse effects of their addiction, and own up to them. To achieve this, they employ the use of compassion instead of confrontation, in order to encourage the individual to remain open, and make progress in understanding and handling their addiction all through the counselling period.

An important aspect of recovery which should not be overlooked, is putting measures in place to handle triggers, cravings and daily stress. If these tools are not available, there is a tendency for the individual to end up taking alcohol and drugs again.

Hence, in order to prevent relapse, what counsellors do is, they work with the patients to create a personal relapse prevention scheme.

Counsellors are an integral part of addiction recovery, and they help to ensure the individual gets back on his feet.