LOGOTHERAPY PROCESS: SELF-CONTROL ENHANCEMENT IN YOUTH GROUPS WHO USE DRUGS
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Abstract
Youth with strong self-control and effective problem-solving abilities are less likely to engage in substance abuse and are more capable of living meaningful and productive lives. This academic article aims to propose conceptual dimensions and key components of a logotherapy-based counseling process designed to enhance self-control among youth offenders who engage in substance use. The approach is grounded in counseling psychology and emphasizes the counselor’s professional skills and deep understanding of adolescents’ experiences in facilitating the exploration of personal goals and life meaning. The counseling process encourages youth to shift from impulsive behavior driven by immediate desires toward reflective awareness and responsible self-regulation. Central elements of the logotherapy approach include the recognition of freedom and responsibility, the search for meaning beyond temporary pleasure derived from substance use, and the development of self-awareness and self-regulation skills. Through this process, youth learn to strengthen their ability to resist negative stimuli, cultivate mindfulness and inhibitory control, and develop greater confidence in managing their own behavior. These meaning-centered counseling processes contribute to strengthening self-control among youth with substance use problems, enabling them to develop meaningful life values and break the cycle of addictive behavior more effectively.
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References
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