Substance Use Counseling

Addiction affects mind, body, and spirit, recovery requires addressing all three. MATClinics' substance use counseling services provide evidence-based therapy helping you understand addiction's root causes, develop healthy coping skills, build support systems, and create meaningful lives in recovery. Our licensed counselors specialize in addiction treatment, offering individual therapy, group counseling, and intensive outpatient programs tailored to your needs.

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What is Substance Use Counseling?

Substance use counseling uses therapeutic techniques to help individuals overcome drug and alcohol addiction. While medication addresses addiction's biological aspects, counseling tackles psychological, emotional, and behavioral factors driving substance use.

Professional addiction counseling provides:

  • Safe, confidential space to explore addiction's underlying causes
  • Evidence-based strategies for managing cravings and triggers
  • Skills for handling stress without substances
  • Support rebuilding relationships damaged by addiction
  • Tools for preventing relapse and maintaining recovery

Counseling is essential to long-term recovery. Research shows combining medication with therapy produces significantly better outcomes than either approach alone. Counseling helps you understand why you use substances and develops sustainable alternatives.

What Conditions Does Counseling Treat?

Substance Use Disorders

Our counselors treat all forms of addiction:

  • Opioid use disorder (heroin, fentanyl, prescription painkillers)
  • Alcohol use disorder
  • Stimulant addiction (cocaine, methamphetamine)
  • Cannabis use disorder
  • Prescription medication misuse (benzodiazepines, etc.)
  • Polysubstance use

Life Challenges Related to Addiction

Counseling helps navigate:

  • Relationship problems and family conflict
  • Employment difficulties
  • Legal issues
  • Housing instability
  • Social isolation

How Substance Use Counseling Works

Addiction counseling addresses the psychological patterns maintaining substance use while building skills supporting recovery. Our evidence-based approach combines several proven therapeutic methods:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifies and changes thought patterns triggering substance use. You learn to recognize distorted thinking, challenge negative beliefs, and develop healthier responses to stress and triggers.

Motivational Interviewing (MI): Explores your ambivalence about change, strengthens internal motivation for recovery, and helps you articulate personal reasons for staying sober beyond external pressures.

Relapse Prevention: Teaches you to identify high-risk situations, develop coping strategies for cravings and triggers, create action plans for vulnerable moments, and build protective factors supporting long-term recovery.

Trauma-Informed Care: Recognizes that many people use substances to cope with past trauma. We address traumatic experiences safely while developing healthier coping mechanisms.

Family Systems Therapy: Involves loved ones in treatment when appropriate, healing damaged relationships and creating supportive home environments essential for lasting recovery.

Our Counseling Programs

Intensive Outpatient Addiction Counseling (IOP)

A patient who needs more intensive interventions can participate in an intensive outpatient program (IOP) that will typically meet for nine hours a week. Designed for those requiring a higher level of care, IOP is often a service that patients returning from inpatient treatment attend as part of a step-down reduction in treatment. The IOP program is led by qualified professionals and is designed around the most current evidence-based practices in addiction treatment.

Benefits of IOP
  • Connect with inclusive and nonjudgmental peer support
  • Greater accessibility to treatment
  • Engage in services within your home or office to build a practical (not practice) recovery plan
  • Access tangible resources necessary for sustainable recovery including food, shelter, clothing, and transportation.
  • Referrals for Care Coordination and Maryland RecoveryNet (MDRN) recovery house funding
Treatment Goals in IOP
  • Identify your root causes of substance use
  • Develop new and effective coping skills
  • Achieve and maintain meaningful employment
  • Connect with peers in recovery to build a supportive network
  • Rebuild healthy relationships
  • Develop purpose through self-exploration and personal growth
  • Resolve legal issues
We offer daytime and evening groups 6 days a week with flexible telehealth options.
Monday
10 AM - 1 PM
Tuesday
10 AM - 1 PM, 4 PM - 7 PM
Wednesday
10 AM - 1 PM
Thursday
10 AM - 1 PM
Friday
4 PM - 7 PM
Saturday
10 AM - 1 PM
Sunday
CLOSED FOR GROUP

Outpatient Group Addiction Counseling (OP)

A patient who wants group sessions, but does not need 9 hours per week of IOP, are great candidates for OP Counseling. OP groups will typically meet at least once a week. During group sessions, a patient will work with their peers on developing coping skills and other necessary recovery skills. Groups will be run by a qualified professional and group topics will be chosen to reflect the needs of the patients.

Outpatient Alcohol Use Disorder Group

Group Counseling for Examining Drinking Patterns

We offer weekly group counseling sessions designed to address drinking patterns and support individuals on their journey towards sobriety.

Goals of the Group
  • Emotional Regulation Techniques: Learn effective strategies for managing emotions without turning to alcohol as a coping mechanism.
  • Healthy Boundaries: Discover how to set and maintain boundaries in your relationships to support your recovery journey.
  • Self-Care Routine: Establish a personalized self-care routine to nurture your physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
  • Navigating Difficult Situations: Gain insights and strategies for sober socializing, dating, and navigating challenging situations without alcohol.
  • Relapse Prevention Planning: Develop a comprehensive plan to prevent relapse and maintain long-term sobriety.

Outpatient Individual Addiction Counseling (OP)

A patient in our medication-assisted treatment program who wants individual substance use counseling in an outpatient setting will meet with a qualified professional typically once per week. During individual sessions, they can expect to meet with a counselor to discuss their individual treatment goals, participate in evidence-based counseling, and work on developing the skills necessary to maintain long-term successful recovery.

Join us on this journey towards a healthier, more fulfilling life. Take the first step towards positive change and join our group counseling sessions today.

Why Counseling Matters in Addiction Treatment

Medication stabilizes brain chemistry, but counseling addresses addiction's psychological roots. Together, they create comprehensive treatment producing lasting change.

Research-Proven Benefits:

  • 50% higher abstinence rates when combining counseling with medication.
  • Improved mental health outcomes.
  • Better family and social functioning.
  • Reduced criminal activity.
  • Higher employment rates.
  • Enhanced quality of life.

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What Counseling Addresses That Medication Cannot:

  • Underlying trauma driving substance use.
  • Learned behaviors and thinking patterns.
  • Relationship dynamics and communication skills.
  • Emotional regulation and stress management.
  • Life purpose and meaning-making.
  • Healthy routine and structure development.

Long-term Skills: Unlike medication's symptom management, counseling teaches skills you'll use throughout life, regardless of whether you continue medication long-term.

Treatment Approaches We Use

Evidence-Based Therapies

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):

  • Challenges automatic negative thoughts.
  • Restructures thinking patterns.
  • Develops healthy behavioral responses.
  • Builds problem-solving skills.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):

  • Improves emotion regulation.
  • Enhances distress tolerance.
  • Teaches mindfulness practices.
  • Strengthens interpersonal effectiveness.

Motivational Interviewing (MI):

  • Explores ambivalence about change.
  • Strengthens intrinsic motivation.
  • Resolves barriers to recovery.
  • Supports autonomous decision-making.

Trauma-Focused Therapy:

  • Addresses PTSD and complex trauma.
  • Processes traumatic memories safely.
  • Reduces trauma's impact on daily functioning.
  • Develops healthy trauma responses.

What to Expect in Counseling

Your First Session

Initial counseling appointments focus on understanding your unique situation:

  • Comprehensive assessment: Substance use history, mental health background, family dynamics, trauma experiences, strengths and resources.
  • Goal setting: What do you want to achieve in counseling?
  • Treatment planning: Collaboratively developing your care roadmap.
  • Questions and concerns: Open discussion about the counseling process.

Timeline: 60-90 minutes‍

Ongoing Sessions

Regular counseling follows a structured yet flexible format:

  • Check-in: How are you doing? Recent challenges or successes?
  • Topic exploration: Deep dive into relevant issues (triggers, relationships, emotions, situations).
  • Skill development: Learning and practicing new coping strategies.
  • Action planning: Setting goals for the week ahead.
  • Processing: Reflecting on insights and progress.

Session Flow: Each session builds on previous work while remaining responsive to current needs. Your counselor guides discussions while you determine pacing and focus areas.

Safety and Confidentiality

Your Privacy is Protected

All counseling sessions are strictly confidential under federal and state laws (HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2). We cannot disclose your treatment participation or session content without written permission.

Limited Exceptions:

  • You pose imminent danger to yourself or others.
  • Suspected child or elder use.
  • Court order (rare and limited circumstances).

Your Rights:

  • Choose what to share in sessions.
  • Request your treatment records.
  • Understand who has access to your information.
  • Refuse specific treatments or discussions.

Safe, Supportive Environment

Our counseling spaces are:

  • Private and comfortable.
  • Judgment-free and accepting.
  • Culturally sensitive.
  • Trauma-informed.
  • Inclusive of all backgrounds and identities.

Counseling Outcomes: What Success Looks Like

Successful counseling outcomes vary individually but commonly include:

Behavioral Changes:

  • Sustained abstinence or significant reduction in substance use.
  • Effective use of coping skills during stress.
  • Improved decision-making.
  • Healthier relationship patterns.

Emotional Growth:

  • Better emotional regulation.
  • Reduced anxiety and depression.
  • Increased self-awareness.
  • Greater self-compassion.

Life Improvements:

  • Stable employment or education.
  • Restored family relationships.
  • Reduced legal problems.
  • Meaningful engagement in the recovery community.
  • Overall life satisfaction increases.

Recovery Maintenance:

  • Understanding personal relapse triggers.
  • Confidence managing cravings.
  • Strong support system.
  • Clear recovery plan and purpose.

Other Services

At MATClinics, we offer the full complement of addiction treatment services in an outpatient setting. While medications are crucial, they can be even more effective when combined with behavioral health care. These services help address the underlying psychological, social, and emotional factors that contribute to substance use disorders.

Begin Your Counseling Journey

MATClinics' substance use counseling services provide professional, compassionate support for your recovery. Our licensed counselors understand addiction and are committed to helping you build a meaningful life in recovery.

MATClinics currently accepts all Maryland Medicaid programs as well as Medicare Part B and all CareFirst BlueCross Blue Shield plans. Learn more about what to expect and a list of the insurance programs accepted.

Ready to start? Contact MATClinics today to schedule your confidential assessment and learn more about our counseling programs.

FAQs

1: How long does counseling last?

Treatment duration depends on individual needs. IOP typically lasts 8-12 weeks. Individual and group counseling may continue several months to several years. Many people benefit from ongoing support even after primary treatment ends. There's no "right" duration, treatment continues as long as it's beneficial.

2: What's the difference between individual and group counseling?

Individual counseling provides personalized attention, privacy for sensitive topics, and customized pacing. Group counseling offers peer support, diverse perspectives, reduced isolation, and cost-effectiveness. Most people benefit from combining both approaches.

3: Do I have to talk about things I'm uncomfortable sharing?

No. You always control what you share and when. Good counselors create safe spaces and never pressure you to discuss topics before you're ready. Trust builds over time, and disclosure happens at your pace.

4: Can my family participate in counseling?

Yes! Family involvement often strengthens recovery outcomes. We offer family therapy sessions addressing relationship dynamics, improving communication, educating loved ones about addiction, and healing damaged connections. Participation is voluntary and scheduled separately.

5: What if I relapse during treatment?

Relapse is common in recovery and doesn't mean treatment failure. If you relapse, tell your counselor immediately. We'll help you understand what happened, adjust your treatment plan, strengthen coping skills, and get back on track. Honesty about setbacks is crucial for learning and progress.

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