A St. Louis addiction counselor or intervention counselor is a person who helps in the case of substance or alcohol abuse. Usually the counselor will have a degree of some kind in psychology including self-help, therapy and counseling. Usually the direct goal is to help someone step away from addiction, either while they are in a rehabilitation center, or outside of a clinic.
According to the United States Department of Labor, Addiction is a chronic, progressive, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive use of one or more substances that results in physical, psychological, or social harm to the individual. Addiction counselors are a form of mental therapist who works with patients to counsel against addiction. While addiction can include drugs, alcohol, and medicine, it is also often very frequently physical activities including sex, gambling and even hoarding.
Addiction Rehab St. Louis
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (NCADA) – St. Louis Area provides the highest quality resources and services that promote a safe and healthy community free of problems associated with alcohol and other drugs. 314-962-3456
Create a Unique Approach: One of the services performed by a St. Louis health addiction counselor is to create a unique approach and therapy to each individual client. Because each person handles addiction in their own way, and many people have different addictions, an addiction counselor will study the patient, decide how and why they are addicted and then create a unique formable approach to help break through to the patient. Usually addiction therapy involves finding a possible cause of dependency, working away from addiction and eventually learning to live without the addiction.
| St. Louis Addiction | Phone Number | Location | Tag |
| Bridgeway | 636-224-1000 | St Charles | Counseling |
| Castlewood Treatment Center | 314-822-8938 | West County | Eating Disorders |
| CenterPointe Hospital | 800-345-5407 | St. Charles | Addiction, Mental Health |
| Gateway Foundation | 314-227-0001 | St. Louis City | Rehab |
| Harris House | 314-631-4299 | St Louis city | Rehab |
| JBF Therapy & Coaching | 314-283-6254 | West County | St. Louis Counseling |
| Lindsey Walden, MA, LPC | 314-485-4189 | Central County | Sexual Therapist |
| Midwest Institute for Addiction | 314-569-2253 | West County | Addiction Counseling |
| NCADA | 314-962-3456 | St. Louis County | Alcohol – Drug Rehab |
| Psychotherapy St. Louis | 314-863-9990 | West County | Psychotherapy |
| Rehabilitation Institute of St. Louis | 314-658-3800 | St. Louis City | Rehab |
| Sound Mind Therapy | 314-499-9144 | West County | Counseling |
| St. Louis Addiction Counseling | 314-677-7808 | Central County | Addiction Counseling |
| St. Louis Psychiatric Rehabilitation | 314-877-6500 | St. Louis City | Rehab |
St. Louis Addiction Treatment
Avoiding Transference: One of the largest problems with treating addiction is that it can easily transfer to another addiction, including therapy. The addiction counselor will do their best to ensure that no transference happens, and that the patient fully recovers from the mental or physical addiction without transferring it to another problem.
Specialization: Most, if not all, addiction counselors in St. Louis will attempt to specialize in one or more areas of addiction. For example, any addiction counselor who works with substance abuse patients must have completed a course and earned a certification in understanding substance and chemical addition. This helps them to work better with patients who are currently addicted because they understand the problem. Because of this, some addiction therapists will specialize in one field in order to be more respected in that field.
Rehab St. Louis
Preparation: In most cases, an addiction counselor will interact closely with family and friends of the patient to prepare knowledge, attitude, and information. Usually the preparation will culminate in an ‘intervention’ where family and friends sit down to tell the addicted person how they feel, and why they think he or she should change. The STL addiction counselor will oversee this, keep things under control, and attempt to use the emotions to convince the patient that they need help and now is the time to get it.
It’s important to consider the qualifications and services provided by an addiction counselor before you hire them. Sometimes addiction counselors will work exclusively with rehabilitation centers, in which case their credentials are verified. However, if you are hiring someone on your own, you should check the degree, the qualifications, and the experience of the counselor before you hire them. It’s important to hire a real therapist in order to avoid causing further problems. In many cases, addicted people can get through an addiction without rehabilitation, however, some therapists will recommend it if they believe it to be in the best interested of the patient.
Addiction Resources
National Institute on Drug Abuse National Council on Problem Gambling
According to the United States Department of Labor, Addiction is a chronic, progressive, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive use of one or more substances that results in physical, psychological, or social harm to the individual.
Quit Smoking St. Louis
Deciding to quit smoking can be a very healthy choice that can increase your life span, decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke and improve your stamina and immune system. However; actually quitting can be very difficult. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance and if you have been smoking for any length of time, chances are you don’t really want to quit. Many people turn to nicotine patches, gums and pills that, while relieving the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, merely prolong the nicotine addiction. If you want to quit in a healthy, safe and natural way, these effective and natural methods of quitting smoking are for you.
| Resources for Quitting Smoking | Phone Number | Location |
| Counseling Hypnotherapy | 314-731-7667 | St Louis County |
| Healing Laser Clinics | 636-587-2551 | West County |
| JFK Hypnosis | 314-962-7558 | South County |
| Mastermind Hypnosis | 314-570-6785 | St. Louis County |
| Mattingly Chiropractic | 314-635-1008 | Central County |
Lobelia: Lobelia is probably the most effective natural method of quitting smoking. The herb has a powerful effect on the nervous system that induces a calm and relaxed state. Lobelia should be taken with care as it can be toxic in large quantities. Lobelia produces a chemical reaction in the brain that is similar to the effect of cigarettes. This means that careful doses of the herbs can replace your cravings for nicotine while you are suffering withdrawal. The FDA restricts some uses of Lobelia due to it being toxic.
Addiction Treatment St. Louis
St. Johns Wort: St. Johns wort is an herb that is often used to treat depression in patients. This herb has been studied and found to be an effective aid in helping patients to quit smoking. One study showed that 37% quit smoking when taking St. Johns Wort then when not taking the herb. However studies also show that the effects of St. Johns wort do not last long term, should you quit smoking using the herb, you might have some return of cravings when you stop taking the supplement. St. Johns wort should not be taken with prescription or over the counter medicine. St. Johns wort is also not recommended for long term use, for women who are pregnant or nursing or for those who suffer from bipolar disorders.
Looking for more info on addiction rehab in St. Louis?
Ginseng: Ginseng has been used as an effective natural cure by the Middle East for hundreds of years. The root releases chemicals that help to prevent the release of the chemical dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is the sensation of ‘high’ that smokers get after receiving a nicotine rush. Taking ginseng will not lessen your nicotine addiction however; you can take ginseng so that if you do break down and smoke, you are not rewarded by the calming rush of nicotine. This helps to prevent you from craving the rush and therefore helps you to stop smoking.
Herbs & Tinctures: There are many herbs and tinctures that can be used in combination to alleviate the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Valerian can help you to sleep and overcome insomnia, Lemon Balm and Chamomile can help you to relax, give your body a soothing rush and can help to calm irritability and mood swings. There are many herbs in St. Louis that you can use. Try drinking them in teas for the fastest results or taking pills or supplements forlong term use.
Smoking is one of the most addictive habits, yet nearly half of Americans who once smoked eventually quit. To help you quit smoking, visit the Quitting Smoking section of WebMD and you’ll find in-depth information here on successful smoking cessation techniques, nicotine patches, and other products.
Check out: Allergist St. Louis
