Hearing impaired men and women generally have a heightened risk of substance abuse issues due to their impairment, and treatment services have to be available to them which serves their needs. Individuals who are hearing impaired can feel alone, lack motivation, and be without goals because of their impairment. Many hearing impaired individuals then elect to self medicate with drugs or alcohol to numb this pain and have a temporary release from the emotional and psychological problems that accompany having this handicap in life. To start with, detecting an alcohol and drug abuse problem among the hearing impaired is usually a challenge, since these individuals may try to hide their issue as a result of social stigmas attached to substance abuse. Having said that, drug and alcohol treatment counselors who provide treatment to hearing impaired individuals see the challenges that these clients face. ASL rehabilitation services are of course a must, as are rehabilitation services which address the unique challenges that hearing impaired individuals face. Group therapy provides a forum for important peer support in order that rehab clients can know they are not alone, and that there's hope to handle their challenge with drugs and alcohol. Individual counseling services might be more tailored for each person so that their own personal challenges can be remedied in treatment.