How Does Vocational Counseling Aid Addiction Treatment?

Vocational counseling can aid addiction treatment for many reasons, including helping you to find your strengths and employment that matches your skills. It's important to seek out vocational counseling with a professional who can set you up with the necessary resources. 

Addiction can be tough to struggle with on your own. It is a chronic condition that affects millions of people around the world. Everyone is unique in their needs for treatment, which is why our team at West Coast Recovery Centers prioritizes holistic treatment plans that can help each individual no matter what stage they are currently in. 

This article will explore the different ways that vocational counseling can help you during treatment. As well as understanding the unique, comprehensive treatment offered by West Coast Recovery Centers. 

Who Is at Risk for Developing an Addiction?

In most cases, addiction can be the result of different factors, including your environment, genetics, and mental health. Understanding the different root causes of addiction is vital to help yourself or a loved one receive the necessary treatment for their needs. Reaching out sooner rather than later if you're struggling is important. You can start with a trusted loved one or addiction professional. 

Genetics

Your genetics can play a role in the risk of developing substance use disorder (SUD), making your chances greater. For example, if a close family member struggled with SUD, then your chances of also struggling with SUD increase. However, this doesn't mean that every single person who has a family member that struggled with addiction will too. The chances of developing SUD are unique to every individual, and there are also other risks at play. 

Mental Health

Another major risk of developing SUD is if you already struggle with your mental health. For example, if you are experiencing depression or anxiety, you may turn to substances to help cope with the symptoms. This would then be considered a co-occurring disorder, which is when an individual struggle with both their mental health and SUD.

Environment

Lastly, a common factor that can contribute to addiction is an individual's environment. A person's environment can include poverty, trauma, peer pressure, and more. When a person is exposed to drugs or alcohol, they are more likely to use those substances as well. 

For example, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) occur when a traumatic event occurs in childhood. Traumatic events can include witnessing the addiction of a parent or caretaker. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, and substance use problems in adolescence and adulthood.”

What Is Vocational Counseling?

While participating in vocational counseling, you are taught new sets of skills in order to land a job. In many cases, you and your counselor will work together to identify your strengths and the type of work you enjoy. You may also work with your counselor on a job analysis to identify the requirements of the potential job you are looking for. 

Vocational counseling has different benefits and can help with certain things, such as helping you learn new skills, understanding your strengths, and providing a sense of support. The main goal of vocational counseling is to help clients become job-ready while networking and discovering a newfound sense of purpose.

Who Can Vocational Counseling Help?

Oftentimes, at the beginning of addiction treatment, you may lack the skills and even motivation needed to keep searching for employment. This is when vocational counseling can help. Vocational counseling can help anyone who is struggling to find a job while they are in treatment and after treatment. 

One of the greatest benefits of vocational counseling is the fact that your counselor can help you learn skills you may need. These skills can include communication skills, problem-solving skills, and time management. All of these specific skills are helpful to ensure that you can work effectively within your job. 

If you're having feelings of hopelessness during treatment or post-treatment, vocational counseling can be helpful for this as well. One of the main goals of vocational counseling is to help you discover a sense of purpose through learning new skills and finding a job you love. 

The Importance of Finding a Community

Finding a community also comes with vocational counseling through networking and learning how to interact with co-workers. Having a community of like-minded people during difficult times is extremely important. 

Here, at West Coast Recovery Centers, we understand that having a community is important, which is why we created our alumni and aftercare program. This program ensures long-term support during the post-treatment phase. It is successful by connecting individuals who are on similar journeys and can lean on each other for support. There are activities offered to help encourage a healthy recovery, such as community bonfires, mountain retreats, and softball games. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, consider seeking vocational counseling as a part of your treatment plan. Vocational counseling can help you identify your strengths and abilities, develop essential skills, find meaningful employment, and build a support network outside of your treatment program. With the guidance and support of a vocational counselor, you can find purpose and meaning in your life and reduce the risk of relapse. Don't let addiction hold you back from a fulfilling life. Take the first step towards recovery by seeking vocational counseling today and reaching out to the team here at West Coast Recovery Centers. Call us at (760) 492-6509 for more information.