Substance abuse can have a significant impact on a person's physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. It involves the repeated use of alcohol or drugs despite negative consequences. This can lead to addiction, physical health problems, and a range of mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms.
Addiction is a powerful force. You may feel completely alone, misunderstood, and have strong feelings of shame. We understand how crippling addiction can be and offer compassion as well as patience in our work together. You can also count on us to show you respect and simultaneously hold you accountable. We work collaboratively to help you develop coping strategies to manage triggers, cravings, and challenging emotions as well as address underlying emotional and psychological concerns. You and your therapist will develop a personalized treatment plan that fits your specific needs and goals, which also promotes self-care, self-compassion, and self-acceptance.
Signs of drug/alcohol addiction can include:
- Feeling the need to use regularly or difficulty in controlling use of a substance
- Having intense urges and cravings to use a substance
- Over time, needing more to get the same effect
- Not meeting obligations and responsibilities (work, home, relationships, school)
- Actively engaging in behaviors and actions that may put you in danger
- Focusing more and more time and energy on getting or using substance of choice
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
- Wanting to decrease or stop your substance use, but having a hard time sticking with it
If you can relate to any of the above symptoms or behaviors, it may be time to consider counseling for substance abuse. There are many paths to successful recovery that can work with your goals and help you make life changes.
We also work with family members who have a loved one that has addiction.