Last Updated:
January 30th, 2026
Individual addiction therapy
Individual therapy for addiction means working one-on-one with a trained therapist who focuses entirely on you. These private meetings let you discuss anything without worrying about who is listening. They help your therapist understand your history and how it has led to drug, alcohol or behavioural addiction. Understanding how it works and its benefits will show you why the best rehab programmes always include it.
What is individual therapy in addiction recovery?
Individual therapy is private counselling where you meet regularly with a therapist trained in addiction treatment. You talk about your personal history, what’s happening in your life, what makes you want to drink or use drugs, and what’s preventing you from quitting.
Your therapist will listen, then actively help you with unhelpful thoughts and with finding better responses. They may also assign homework between sessions, like keeping a diary of situations that make you want to drink or practising specific coping techniques.
One-on-one therapy can be adapted to your needs, with your therapist adjusting their methods rather than following a set curriculum. For example, if you’re dealing with old trauma that is triggering a drug or alcohol addiction, individual sessions give you dedicated time to process those issues.
How does individual therapy treat drug and alcohol addiction?
Therapists can use various approaches depending on what is driving your alcohol or drug addiction and what you respond best to. Two particularly effective individual therapies for addiction include:
CBT also gives you practical tools to use during and after rehab when cravings hit. You might learn to challenge worst-case-scenario thoughts or to use specific techniques to ride out urges without giving in.
This individual approach to the 12 steps can give you support that group Gambling Anon or AA meetings alone can’t provide. Your therapist can address your specific resistance or confusion about certain steps, and if you struggle with the spiritual language, they can help you interpret it in ways that work for you.
These are just two examples, but the real advantage of individual therapy is flexibility. This means your therapist can switch approaches based on what’s working and what you’re struggling with at any given time.
What to expect in individual therapy
Your first session will usually involve an assessment, where your therapist will ask about your substance use history, family background, mental health, previous treatment attempts, and what brought you to seek help now. This information helps them understand your situation and plan treatment.
Early addiction counselling therapy sessions often focus on keeping you stable and managing any urgent problems. This may include identifying your biggest triggers, developing emergency strategies for high-risk moments, and then setting concrete, achievable goals for treatment.
You will then start to practice new skills during sessions. For example, if you struggle saying no to people who offer you drugs, you can rehearse responses with your therapist. If anxiety triggers your drinking, you will learn anxiety management techniques and try them out between appointments.
Expect honesty from your therapist. If they think you’re not being truthful about your use or avoiding important topics, they will say so. This directness helps when you have become used to excuses or minimising problems.
Sessions also include relapse prevention planning, particularly as you get ready to leave alcohol or drug rehab. This forward-thinking approach prepares you for real-life challenges at home, so they don’t come as a shock.
Benefits of individual therapy for addiction treatment
Individual sessions give you your therapist’s undivided attention. You can talk about the most personal and difficult things safely, working through issues more thoroughly than in a group setting.
Individual therapy moves at your pace. If you need to spend three sessions processing one traumatic memory, you can. If you’re ready to tackle multiple issues simultaneously, your therapist can adapt. You’re not held back by a group’s progress or rushed because others are moving faster.
The relationship itself becomes therapeutic. Having someone you trust and who genuinely cares about your well-being can be healing, especially if addiction damaged your other relationships. This reliable connection supports recovery even beyond the specific techniques you learn.
Individual therapy can also connect with other parts of your care. Your therapist can communicate with your psychiatrist about medication, discuss your progress with group therapy leaders, and ensure everyone working with you is aligned. This coordination prevents any gaps in your care, which could affect recovery progress.
What to look for in a rehab offering individual therapy
Ask how many individual sessions you will receive per week. Some drug and alcohol rehab centres offer minimal one-on-one time, focusing mainly on group work. Effective treatment usually includes at least one individual session weekly, possibly more early on.
Check therapists’ qualifications and specialisations. They should be licensed counsellors, psychologists, or clinical social workers with training specifically in addiction treatment. Experience matters as a therapist who has treated hundreds of people with substance use disorders will spot patterns and know what works.
Find out if you will work with the same therapist throughout treatment or see different people. Continuity matters. Building trust and rapport takes time, and constantly explaining your history to new therapists wastes valuable session time.
Ask whether individual therapy continues after you leave residential treatment. Outpatient sessions provide ongoing support during the vulnerable transition back to regular life. Many people benefit from continuing individual therapy for months or years after initial treatment.
Getting the support you need
Individual therapy provides the undivided attention that group work can’t replace. If you’re looking for treatment that includes substantial one-on-one counselling, Recovery.org can help. Contact us to find out which programmes provide the best individual therapy. Getting matched with the right therapist and approach can make a real difference in recovery.