Key takeaways:
- Question one: Are you a certified drug addiction counselor?
- Question two: What is your treatment approach?
- Question three: Do you provide support for families of people with addiction?
- Question four: Do you conduct drug testing, and if so, how often?
- Question five: What are your payment options?
Struggling behind a put-together facade
You’ve been putting up a great show for such a long time. At this point, you almost can’t remember what it’s like not to pretend everything’s wonderful while you’re slowly dying inside.
We know.
We’ve met many people just like you. From the outside, their lives look put together. They show up to work, maintain relationships, and care for their families. They have homes, responsibilities, and people who depend on them. To the world, they seem fine.
Inside, though, it can feel very different. There’s often a quiet struggle that few people see, a sense of holding everything together while feeling overwhelmed, ashamed, or exhausted beneath the surface. Many worry that if others truly understood what they were carrying, they’d be shocked. Addiction isn’t always visible, and it rarely fits the stereotypes we’ve been taught to expect. The idea of what an “addict” looks like is just that, a stereotype. In reality, substance use affects people from all walks of life, including those who appear to be functioning well on the outside.
If you’re ready to let the façade drop, help is available. Taking that step can feel daunting, but it can also be one of the most courageous decisions you ever make. When you’re ready to seek support, the next question becomes where to turn. So how do you find the right drug addiction counselor? Read on to learn more.
Five initial questions to ask a drug addiction counselor:
Finding the right addiction therapist can feel daunting, especially because there are so many factors to consider. You want someone who aligns with your goals and values, who is compassionate and understanding, and who can also provide skilled, effective care.
While finding the right fit may take time, it’s important not to give up. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or worn down beneath the surface, you deserve support that truly meets you where you are. Keep moving forward, one step at a time. Continue researching, asking questions, and speaking with potential therapists until you find someone who feels right for you.
To help make the process a little easier, we’ve put together five questions you can ask to determine whether a provider is a good fit for your needs.
Question one: Are you a certified drug addiction counselor?
This is an obvious but important question. You will want to choose an experienced and certified substance abuse counselor to be taking charge of your therapy. People who aren’t properly trained may doubt what you’re saying and perhaps downplay your experiences. Qualified practitioners have the experience and insight to recognize and validate your story, even when it doesn’t fit traditional or stereotypical views of addiction.
Look for a provider who holds a master’s degree or higher and is licensed to provide addiction counseling. The best residential treatment centers and outpatient rehabs list impressive credentials like LADC (licensed alcohol and drug counselor), CCDP(certified co-occurring disorders counselor), CAP (certified addiction professional), CAC (certified addictions counselor) LPC (licensed professional counselor), LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) and LAC (Licensed Associate Counselor). It’s also worth looking into whether their treatment center has a physician and psychiatrist on staff. Finally, it's important to check that the facility itself holds a certification
Question two: What is your treatment approach?
Every rehab center uses different methods and modalities to help patients find recovery and healing. Many utilize the 12-step framework, which is a proven method to help people struggling with addiction to sobriety. However, a great facility will use a multidisciplinary approach that may include relapse prevention, cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, art therapy, equine therapy, yoga, psychodrama, and more.
It’s also important to ask whether they have experience treating co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma, or chronic stress. Substance use is often only one part of a much larger picture, and the emotional and mental challenges you’re carrying deserve attention at the same time.
In addition, reputable treatment providers should be able to share clear, verified information about the long-term effectiveness of their approaches. Having access to this kind of data helps you make a more informed decision and puts more control back in your hands as you choose the right support for you.
Question three: Do you provide support for families of people with addiction?
You may not see it clearly yet, but addiction often affects everyone in a family. That’s why it’s sometimes referred to as a “family disease.” Even when you feel like you’re holding it together, the people closest to you often sense the stress, pain, and uncertainty you’re carrying. They may not be able to name what’s wrong, but they’re affected by it all the same, sometimes in ways they don’t fully understand until they receive support themselves.
For this reason, it can be helpful to work with an addiction counselor who offers education, guidance, and support for family members as well as the individual in treatment. Loved ones of all ages can benefit from learning healthy ways to cope, communicate, and heal. Children, in particular, deserve age-appropriate support that helps them make sense of what they’re experiencing.
Addiction can also place significant strain on a couple’s relationship. Some treatment providers, including Avenues Recovery, offer counseling and support designed for couples, helping partners address the impact of substance use and rebuild trust, communication, and connection together.
Question four: Do you conduct drug testing, and if so, how often?
Some addiction treatment programs include random drug testing as a routine part of care. Outpatient rehab centers, in particular, may rely on testing to help participants stay substance-free while continuing to navigate triggers in their everyday environments. Because testing can be an important part of treatment, it’s essential for counselors to frame it as a supportive tool in a patient’s recovery, not something to fear or dread.
Drug testing can help ensure that support is provided as early as possible if a setback occurs. It also promotes accountability while helping maintain a safe treatment environment, both of which can support recovery progress. It’s also worth asking how often test results are sent to a lab, as testing more frequently than twice a week may raise concerns about unnecessary costs.
Question five: What are your payment options?
Find out if the substance abuse treatment center will submit insurance claims for you or if you will have to pay cash and submit the claims yourself. Great treatment centers make care accessible and affordable within an insurance-friendly environment. They accept most insurance providers and work with families and insurers to identify payment options that fit different budgets.
Avenues Recovery’s treatment centers:
Reaching out for help may feel like one of the hardest things you can imagine doing right now. When you’ve been carrying this struggle quietly for a long time, the idea of opening up can feel frightening and deeply vulnerable. But healing begins with courage, and that courage already exists within you. Taking the first step toward recovery can open the door to meaningful change and a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Taking the time to research and choose the right alcohol and substance use counselor is an important part of that process. With so many options available, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Starting with the right questions can help bring clarity and set you up to find a provider who truly supports your goals and needs. This is an opportunity fora fresh start, and you deserve care from a counselor who will walk alongside you throughout your entire recovery journey. When you’re ready, reach out.
We’re here to help you take that first step forward.