We’re Here to Help!
If you have been using alcohol or drugs or struggle with mood disorders that are a concern, we encourage you to talk with a professional counselor. Are mental health or alcohol and drug use are causing you any type of difficulty? Do they cause arguments with family or friends, job difficulties, legal difficulties, DWI, or having hangovers? If you or someone who cares isn’t sure if your use has become a problem, it is a good idea to have a substance use assessment by a trained professional.
First Step offers multiple proven interventions and treatments based on client need and preference. This is usually determined during the comprehensive substance abuse assessment or mental health evaluation. First Step believes that assessing client needs and wishes is an ongoing process. If a type of therapy is chosen during the first session, it can be changed if the needs of the client indicate that it should be changed.
“First Step has been nothing but helpful through my process of finding recovery and sobriety. I had a few bumps in the road but I was always welcomed back with open arms. Anonymous”
First Step uses a motivational model to help you not only end the problems associated with drug or alcohol use, but also to help you become a more self-confident person who is able to achieve your chosen goals in life. Alcohol and drug counseling can be the first step in getting your life back on track. Our therapists and counselors utilize a variety of proven therapy models including “12-Step support facilitation,” “Motivational Enhancement Therapy,” “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,” and “Stages of Change” group therapy to assist people who want to quit using alcohol and drugs.
We practice a strength based therapeutic relationship with our clients and patients. This client-counselor relationship focuses on what you already know and experience rather than on what you are doing wrong and shouldn’t do. We honor and respect your values rather than what others think you “should” think, feel or do.
“I’m blessed to still be here and know that I’m here for a reason and I have a purpose. My first impression of group was scared, nervous & embarrassed and ashamed and depressed. The group has helped pull me out of that darkness and that I’m not alone. You are awesome! I really appreciate all you do for the group. You make 3 hours fly by, as well as demand respect, and personal accountability. I have learned a lot from group that I will take with me. To the group – ya’ll are my teammates and I honestly hope the best for all of you. Thank you for bettering me!!” Anonymous
Mental Health, Relationship and Family Counseling Services
- First Step Services, LLC provides mental health counseling at all our locations. Our psychiatrist provides psychiatric evaluations, follow up and medication checks.
- Mental health counselors are Licensed Clinical Social Workers and other Licensed Professional Counselors, Masters level counselors. Therapists coordinate care with our Psychiatrist to provide the best mental health counseling possible.
Substance Use Counseling Options
First Step provides individual and group substance abuse and counseling services. Substance Abuse groups range from as few as 16 hours of education to 30 or more Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient treatment groups, depending on your need.
Inpatient, Residential & Hospital Aftercare
First Step Services, LLC provides Intensive Outpatient and General Outpatient aftercare for people completing and discharging from inpatient programs & hospitals across the country. We provide intensive group counseling, family counseling, individual counseling and other services as needed. The goal is to continue treatment and recovery while one transitions back into community living, returning to work, and resuming a “normal” lifestyle after completing inpatient or hospitalization. We provide this service at all our locations. We can even begin meeting with you by video conferencing before you leave your inpatient facility to ease the transition.
“Though inpatient put me on the right track to deal with my alcoholism, the treatment didn’t go beyond that to help me deal with my depression. When I came to First Step I had to deal with my depression and alcoholism.” Anonymous
Intensive Outpatient (IOP)
Variety of Week Day & Evening Programs across all our locations
Recovery in Action IOP
Utilizes the stages of change model to focus on recovery protection & healthy coping skills. We use a wellness model centered on self-care, problem solving & life skills that can be applied to daily life.
• Raleigh In-Person
• Mon, Tue & Thu (6 – 9 PM)
Together in Change IOP
Utilizes the stages of change model to focus on recovery protection & healthy coping skills. We use a wellness model centered on self-care, problem-solving & life skills that can be applied to daily life.
Cary In-Person
Mon, Tue & Thu (6 PM – 9 PM)
Creating Focus IOP
Focuses on stages of change & value-based decision-making skills. We provide education on the disease model of addiction and look at how we can create focus in our lives.
Raleigh In-Person
Tue, Thu (6:30-9:30pm) & Sat (9am-12pm)
Every client who successfully completes any level of counseling groups at First Step, is remaining abstinent and no longer requires monitoring or reporting, is welcome to continue aftercare for as long as he or she would like to attend. This aftercare program provides extra support during early recovery. People who attend First Step group programs after completing an inpatient or residential program also qualify for the $5 per day aftercare program as long as you have completed your primary care at First Step, are remaining abstinent and are working a program of recovery.
First Step is an approved provider for nurses who are required to attend treatment by the NC Board of Nursing. We meet all their assessment, treatment and aftercare requirements. We accept insurance for these services and offer affordable self-pay rates for Nurses who do not have insurance. We provide these services at all our facilities.
Living in Recovery
Focuses on helping people live their best life! Emphasis is placed on peer accountability & individual recovery protection to help people live a fulfilling life in sustained recovery.
Virtual
Wed (6-7:30pm)
“This was an excellent experience. So good, I plan on attending additional group sessions as an alumni. Counselors are excellent listeners, facilitators, and professionals. Group discussions, working sessions and activities were very revealing. I never felt anytime at group was wasted time. My recovery will always be a never-ending journey. It’s good to know I will always have the connection to First Step along the path of that journey.” Anonymous
Family Counseling & Couples Counseling for Alcohol and Drug Use Concerns
Sometimes the first step is for the family to reach out. The family asking for help might be just the thing that gets the alcohol or drug abuser to make positive changes. The person using alcohol or drugs might not be ready to quit. However, there is something the family can do to help. If you have reached your bottom, you might just be ready to help him or her to make changes. Contact First Step Services, LLC for more information on how to help an alcohol or drug user.
“First impression was it needed to be about me and I truly cared about getting better. As time passed, I learned and tried to help others- this in turn helped me. I realized my counselor had a great way of getting everyone involved and the group would not totally depend on her but evolved around the topics she discussed. No TV, it was great and I will truly miss all of the people I have come in contact with.” Anonymous“
Short-term groups are 20 – 30 hours and intermediate level longer-term groups are 40 – 60 hours. The number of groups a client is assigned to is determined by the assessment. The assessment is provided for every client and patient in our adult programs. A DWI Assessment is required by law of all who are convicted of DWI and DWLR. If it is your first DWI arrest and your Breathalyzer reading was .14 or less, you may qualify for ADETS, which is 16 hours. Call today for information. View additional details and schedule here.
“I recently spent five weeks in an inpatient rehabilitation center. Prior to returning to work I was advised to take some outpatient counseling. Coming to these groups has helped my understanding of my disease process as well as meeting others who were also shrugging. My therapist was excellent in facilitating these groups as well as allowing me to be open and honest this was a great experience.” Anonymous
