When searching for alcohol abuse treatment for young men, it is essential to look for treatment programs that include individual therapy for alcohol addiction. Individual therapy is an integral part of the recovery process that better equips the recovering alcoholic with the necessary tools and skills to maintain their sobriety. With these tools in their arsenal, they are set to live a life of meaningful recovery.
What Is Alcohol Addiction?
Alcohol addiction or alcohol substance use disorder is classified by the need for someone to repetitively drink alcohol despite negative consequences. Unlike other people who drink alcohol, an alcoholic is not able to regulate or control their drinking and feel they must do so in order to go along their day. Even when they desire to stop, the withdrawal symptoms can be so severe that they continue drinking just to avoid experiencing them. As such, alcohol addiction is considered a chronic disease.
What Is Individual Therapy?
Individual therapy for alcohol addiction involves the recovering alcoholic working with an addiction specialist or mental health professional in a one-on-one setting. The purpose of individual therapy is to help the person learn more about their addiction, how it came about, and assist in raising self-awareness about one’s addiction. In addition, individual therapy provides a private space for the alcoholic to talk openly about their past behaviors, fears, thoughts, and emotions that they may not yet be willing or open to sharing in group therapy.
Individual therapy sessions are structured to focus on the person’s needs to help them gain a greater self-awareness, and how drinking influenced their behaviors in the past. Furthermore, individual therapy helps uncover triggers and lays the groundwork for developing effective coping skills. These skills can be practiced while in residential treatment, and reinforced in sober living, or with the help of peer support.
What Is the Difference Between Individual Therapy vs. Group Therapy?
One of the key differences between individual therapy for alcohol addiction and group therapy is group therapy involves group sessions with one’s peers, who are also recovering from alcoholism or drug abuse. Group sessions are led by a peer support specialist, addiction treatment specialist, or mental health professional to keep the flow of the session moving along.
One purpose of group therapy is to provide a setting where a young man can meet other young men struggling with addiction. Unfortunately, for many young men with substance use disorders, their social interactions usually centered around drinking alcohol. Group therapy helps young men to learn how to socialize with people in a healthy, sober environment. Initially, young men can be hesitant to interact with others in the group until they are ready to open up, which is perfectly acceptable in this setting.
Another difference between individual and group therapy is young men are encouraged to share their own personal stories about their struggles with addiction and sobriety. These shared life experiences can be beneficial to others in the group who are still learning more about themselves and their addictions.
Most importantly, many young men find new bonds of friendship develop in group therapy, which allows them to create new trusting and life-long sober friendships. These friendships are often pivotal in helping a young man maintain his sobriety after leaving rehab.
How Does Individual Therapy for Alcohol Addiction Help?
Individual therapy for alcohol addiction can help young men explore a wide range of topics related to their substance abuse problems, including:
- Identifying personal barriers that need to be resolved to move forward with recovery.
- Reviewing friendships and family relationships that could impede sobriety.
- Uncovering one’s triggers that could lead to relapse after leaving rehab.
- Discussing what type of cravings one has for alcohol.
- Learning new coping skills and how to integrate them when triggers arise.
- Setting short-term goals of what one hopes to accomplish through addiction treatment.
- Discussing one’s future plans and goals, such as returning to school, learning a vocational trade, getting married, starting a family, etc.
- Working through feelings of guilt and remorse about the effects of one’s behaviors on family and friends.
- Learning to accept responsibility for one’s actions and the consequences that follow.
- Allowing a young man to openly vent his frustrations and disappointments about his life, his family, and other aspects while learning how to move past these in a productive and healthy manner.
- Providing guidance to learn new behaviors using various forms of therapies to help enhance the tools and skills a young man has, in order to cope with triggers and stressful situations after leaving rehab.
Getting Treatment with Individual Therapy for Alcohol Addiction in Torrance, CA
If you are searching where you can find a treatment plan with individual therapy for alcohol addiction for young men, you will find it at New Life House in Torrance, CA. Our treatment programs are custom-tailored for young men that want help facing their addiction while learning how to live and maintain a sober lifestyle.
For further information about our individual therapy services as part of your alcohol addiction treatment program, please feel free to contact us, email us at [email protected], or call us at (888) 357-7577 today!
Last Updated on September 11, 2024
