Hearing impaired individuals generally have an increased risk of substance abuse issues because of the impairment, and treatment services have to be available to them which serves their circumstances. Individuals who are hearing impaired can feel alone, unmotivated, and be without goals because of the impairment. Many hearing impaired individuals then opt to self medicate with drugs or alcohol to numb this pain and have a temporary release from the emotional and psychological challenges that accompany possessing this handicap in daily life. To start with, detecting a substance abuse problem among the hearing impaired is usually a challenge, as these individuals may try to hide their issue due to social stigmas that come with substance abuse. However, drug and alcohol rehabilitation counselors who offer rehab to hearing impaired individuals understand the challenges these clients face. ASL treatment services are of course a necessity, as are treatment services which address the unique challenges that hearing impaired individuals face. Group therapy gives a forum for important peer support to ensure that treatment clients can know that they are not on their own, and that there is hope to resolve their challenge with alcohol and drugs. Individual counseling services could be more tailored for each individual so that their particular challenges can be handled in treatment.