Crisis Counseling

Addiction Counseling

There are many important aspects of crisis counseling with addicted clients. A crisis is dangerous because the person may end up in a situation of homicide or suicide, but it is an opportunity because the person is reaching out for assistance. The crisis then gives the client an opportunity to have a negative or positive outcome from the experience. With A positive outcome the client uses the opportunity to obtain new knowledge and coping skills. The counselor plays an important role as an anchor in the addicted client’s life by assisting the individual in determining whether the situation is or is not a crisis situation. The counselor needs to carefully sort out the components of the crisis with the client. The addicted client needs to learn how to cope with the crisis, like how to deactivate the triggers of the crisis situation. The counselor is charged with helping the client find ways to calm him or herself, reach out for support from others, and stay sober throughout the situation. These coping strategies can be taught to clients, regardless of whether the counselor believes the situation is actually a crisis. The counselor working with the addicted client needs to remain calm and supportive throughout the sessions. The calmness is crucial in that the client can catch it from the counselor. It is important to avoid judgment and simply listen to the client’s story. The client will need assistance in sorting out and prioritizing issues to determine whether the situation is a crisis and what needs to be done to address the circumstances. Finally, the counselor needs to help the client develop self-compassion both during and after the crisis. The client must learn that it is fine to reach out for assistance from others and that even if the client overreacted to the situation; the important thing is that he or she made an effort to stay sober and learn from the experience.