Addiction Recovery

Do You Believe You Might Need Substance Abuse Treatment?

 Are you struggling to control your drug or alcohol use? You may have started using drugs or alcohol as a way to relax or escape feelings of stress or anxiety. Maybe your friends or coworkers meet up for happy hour or a weekend get together, and you worry saying “no” will leave you disconnected from the people you care about.

It may be that you have had this habit for months or years, but lately something has changed. What was once a social event and a way to unwind has become a source of stress. The desire to have another drink or get high can reach a point where you no longer feel in control of your own life. In many cases, substance abuse can have real and lasting consequences: a DUI charge, discipline at work, loss of finances, or the end of a relationship.

Or perhaps a loved one’s struggle with addiction (or a recent relapse) has brought you to this page. Maybe you are worried about their safety or health, or you feel like addiction is causing conflict or distance in your relationship where there was none before.

If you or your loved one is suffering from addiction, it can cause physical symptoms as well as emotional and interpersonal conflict. Alcoholism and other common addictions create a feeling of reward in the brain, which can lead your mind and body to crave the substance, even when you are completely committed to sobriety. Headaches, insomnia, overeating/underrating, extreme weight fluctuations, digestive issues, liver disease, heart problems, depression, and anxiety can all be triggered by substance abuse. And physical withdrawal symptoms can make quitting difficult, even when you are completely committed to sobriety.

If you recognize the signs of addiction, it may be time to consider seeking help. The fact that you are on this page is an important and positive sign, and it shows a willingness to acknowledge that you need help to recover.

Many People Struggle With Behavioral Addiction

Addiction is an illness, not a character defect. Yet many addicts blame themselves for not being able to quit. Making things more difficult, societal stigma can leave addicts in a state of isolation. Even when they know that willpower alone isn’t enough to make a lasting change, the fear of being labeled an “addict” can prevent them from seeking help. Despite the fact that one in 10 U.S. adults (more than 23 million) struggle with substance abuse at some point in their lives, 75 percent of addicts never receive the treatment or support they need.

When you understand the origins of addiction, you can push back on feelings of helplessness and self-blame. You can see that you aren’t a bad person; you’re a good person with a bad disease. So what causes addiction? And why is it so hard to quit?

Genetics can make someone more susceptible to addiction, and many addicts have had at least one parent who struggled with substance abuse or behavioral addiction. Substance abuse problems may also be the direct result of medically-supervised, prescribed treatments for pain from injury or surgery. And for many addicts, alcohol or drug use started out as a way to deal with emotional pain or past trauma.

Many individuals and families are committed to recovery but lack the knowledge of how to best cope. Thankfully, with the help of an experienced addiction recovery counselor, you can learn to take control of your thoughts and actions and build a life free from addiction.

With Courage And Commitment, Substance Abuse Recovery Is Possible

I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to addiction recovery. Instead, I work with you to understand how your addiction began and the role it continues to play in your life. No two people experience addiction in the same way, and the clearest path to recovery starts with a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique experience and goals.

During sessions, we’ll identify thoughts, behaviors and coping skills that are making it harder to quit (or easier to relapse). When you can recognize the factors and triggers contributing to addiction, it becomes easier to make a lasting change. You can effectively rewire your brain to associate positive choices with the same feeling of reward you used to get from alcohol or drugs.

In many cases, addiction takes place alongside (or is caused by) co-occurring conditions, such as trauma, anxiety or depression. In such instances, treating these related conditions is an important part of the recovery process. By incorporating cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) into our work together, you can learn to recognize how thought patterns are affecting your behavior and what you can do to continue making progress outside of sessions.

You didn’t choose to become addicted. But with courage and a committed effort, you can choose recovery. You can acquire new skills and adopt healthy behaviors that replace the need for drugs or alcohol. And that’s my goal for you: to help you reach a point where you wake up every day with a sense of hope, positivity and accomplishment.

You May Still Have Questions About Addiction Recovery…

I have been told I’m enabling my alcoholic partner, but I don't really understand what that means. Is this causing harm? I thought I was just loving.

While it is positive to want to help and support a loved one, there is a difference between being supportive and enabling addictive behavior. If you are sacrificing your own well-being or happiness to maintain the relationship, it can cause additional harm instead of helping foster a positive identity for the individuals and in the relationship.

Together, we can collaborate to identify codependent or enabling behaviors and work together to improve the dynamic of your relationship and foster a strong sense of self.

How can I know if I’m really addicted?

There are many indicators of addiction. You might feel ashamed about your substance use or hopeless to make a change. Maybe you tried quitting before, only to fall back into old habits. You may become distracted at work or at home, anxiously awaiting the next opportunity you’ll have to drink or get high. Or maybe you attend professional and social events under the influence, despite knowing that it could cause problems in your career or relationships.

Even if you aren’t sure you have a problem and just want to feel like you have more control over your habit, therapy can help you realize your own strength and the power of community, support and healing.

Lasting Addiction Recovery Is Within Reach

With a holistic and comprehensive approach to addiction treatment, you can restore a sense of hope and learn a new model for living sober. If you’re ready to get started, or if you have questions about addiction recovery, I invite you to contact me for a free consultation. You can reach me at (863)206-2692 or contact me through this website. I look forward to successfully meeting this challenge with you.

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