Hearing impaired men and women tend to have a heightened risk of substance abuse issues because of the impairment, and rehabilitation services should be available which serves their needs. People who are hearing impaired can feel isolated, unmotivated, and be without goals because of their impairment. Many hearing impaired individuals then elect to self medicate with alcohol or drugs to numb this pain and have a temporary release from the psychological and emotional problems that come with having this handicap in everyday life. Firstly, detecting a drug and alcohol abuse problem among the hearing impaired is often a challenge, as these individuals may attempt to hide their issue as a result of social stigmas that come with substance abuse. However, alcohol and drug rehabilitation counselors who offer treatment to hearing impaired individuals understand the challenges that these clients face. ASL treatment services are of course a necessity, as well as treatment services which address the unique challenges that hearing impaired individuals face. Group therapy gives a forum for important peer interactions in order that rehabilitation clients can know they are not on their own, and that there's hope to handle their challenge with drugs and alcohol. Individual counseling services may be more tailor-made for each person to ensure their own challenges can be addressed in rehabilitation.