Substance Abuse Counseling

Relief for those suffering from the disease of substance addiction is accomplished primarily through substance abuse counseling accompanied by a comprehensive treatment program. Counseling at Cirque Lodge is done on a regular basis by the members of our certified clinical staff who have been trained and educated in the field of alcohol and drug addiction. It entails meeting with a primary counselor and case manager, attending process groups and participating in other therapeutic activities, like experiential therapy. If you or a loved one is in need of help, please call the Cirque Lodge drug rehab program today at 1-877-997-3422.

Counseling for substance abuse treatment differs from other areas because it focuses specifically on helping those with problems of addiction to drugs and alcohol. Certification programs begin from a one-year course to a two-year associate degree, depending on the emphasis. Those who have gained accreditation of counseling degrees are known as licensed substance abuse counselors ("LSAC"). There are also licensed chemical dependency counselors ("LCDC"). Before gaining eligibility to practice in Utah, where the Cirque Lodge alcohol rehab and drug rehab program is located, state certification must be obtained by submitting all credentials and a fee to the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. After this, the license must be renewed by the board every odd year in May regardless of the date of initial licensure.

The Goal of Substance Abuse Counseling

Substance abuse counseling takes place with a counselor known as a "primary therapist". These sessions are typically scheduled twice a week. It is here that the motivations and reasons for substance abuse are discussed. So-called triggers, or circumstances that makes one feel inclined to use mind altering chemicals, are identified. A plan of action is then developed to aid the resident in refraining from abuse during such times. New coping mechanisms are learned during counseling to keep these triggers from causing a relapse to the resident's substance of choice. The primary counselor also helps each resident establish an aftercare program to help them continue sobriety after discharge from the facility.

Our Family Program

Every three weeks Cirque Lodge holds a "family program" where the family members of each resident are invited to come and participate in therapy and other counseling program sessions. They are able to experience firsthand what their loved one does on a daily basis in Cirque Lodge. Lectures are given to help them learn about the disease of substance addiction. Family members or loved ones also take part in group process, where they are able to express their feelings in a safe environment in the presence of a licensed therapist. This is an important part of our substance abuse counseling program. Those residents who have the support of an educated, encouraging family are much more likely to maintain long-term sobriety.

In addition to working with a primary therapist, case managers meet with each resident on a weekly basis. The primary functions of a case manager are to review the treatment plan, to note progress made, and to review all medications. While the jobs differ, both the case manager and primary therapist are trained specifically in substance abuse counseling and together make up the main portion of our substance abuse counseling program.

Experiential Therapy for Substance Abuse Treatment

Another important part of substance abuse counseling here at Cirque Lodge is our experiential therapy. This includes hands on learning activities such as hikes, working with horses and a ropes course. We believe this part of substance abuse treatment is just as important as the cognitive work, especially for those who learn best by experience. One unique part of our experiential therapy program involves the use of our helicopter, where we fly residents to remote locations.

For more information about our substance abuse facility at Cirque Lodge, please visit our main Substance Abuse page.