Hearing impaired persons tend to have a heightened risk of substance abuse issues because of the impairment, and rehabilitation services have to be available to them which cater to their circumstances. Those who are hearing impaired can appear alone, unmotivated, and goalless 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 escape from the emotional and psychological challenges that accompany having this handicap in life. Firstly, detecting an alcohol and drug abuse problem among the hearing impaired is generally a challenge, because these individuals may attempt to hide their problem due to social stigmas that come with abusing drugs. However, drug and alcohol 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 rehab services which address the unique challenges that hearing impaired individuals encounter. Group therapy offers a forum for important peer interactions to ensure treatment clients can know they are not alone, and that there is hope to handle their challenge with drugs and alcohol. Individual therapy services may be more tailor-made for each person to ensure their own challenges can be treated in rehab.