Hearing impaired persons generally have an increased risk of substance abuse issues because of the impairment, and treatment services have to be at hand which serves their circumstances. Individuals who are hearing impaired can seem to be alone, lack motivation, and be without goals because of their impairment. Some hearing impaired individuals then elect to self medicate with drugs or alcohol to numb this pain and experience a temporary release from the emotional and psychological challenges that come with possessing this handicap in everyday life. In the first place, detecting a substance abuse problem among the hearing impaired is usually a challenge, since these individuals may try to hide their problem due to social stigmas that come with drug abuse. Having said that, alcohol and drug rehabilitation counselors who offer rehabilitation to hearing impaired individuals comprehend the challenges that these clients face. ASL rehabilitation services are of course a must, as are rehab services which address the unique challenges that hearing impaired individuals encounter. Group therapy gives a forum for important peer interactions in order that rehab clients can know that they're not alone, and that there's hope to resolve their problem with alcohol and drugs. Individual counseling services may be more tailor-made for each person so that their own personal challenges can be treated in treatment.