Are You Struggling With An Addiction?
Is there a habit that’s interfering with your ability to live your best life? Do you wish you could stop, but you don’t know? Maybe you’ve developed an unhealthy dependency on drugs, sex, alcohol, or technology, but you’re not sure if your habit qualifies as “addiction.” Although you exhibit compulsive behavior, it’s hard to tell if your habit is serious or not. Nonetheless, your relationships, work performance, and ability to enjoy life may be suffering because of how much your obsession consumes your life.
Addictions have a way of sneaking up on you when you’re not expecting them. One day your obsession seems normal and fine, and the next you tell yourself: maybe this is a bigger problem than I thought. Initially, you may have been dealing with depression, anxiety, or PTSD. At the time, your habit seemed like the safest way out.
Now, however, your addiction may be taking up all your energy, distracting you from other obligations and affecting every area of your life. Perhaps you feel disconnected from the people you love and unable to enjoy your hobbies and passions anymore. You may even struggle to stay on top of finances.
When people confront you about your addiction, you may lapse into denial and refuse to admit that you’re struggling. Deep down, however, you may worry that you’ll never be able to quit. If this is the case, I would be honored to help you. Addiction therapy can provide a time and space to address the underlying issues fueling your habit and achieve an emotional reset in life.
Many People With Addictions Are Suffering In Silence
Addiction affects an estimated 21 million individuals across America today, but only ten percent of them receive the treatment they need. Many people are suffering in silence. Most of them are afraid of the stigma surrounding addicts—that they are “weak” or “dirty” or have made “bad choices”—so they don’t come forward about their habit. As a result, many of them feel profoundly alone in their addiction, like there is no one who shares their pain.
What’s more, a lot of the activities that turn into addictions are treated very casually by our culture. Since it’s perfectly normal for friends to get together and take drugs or drink alcohol, most people don’t realize when someone they know has developed an addiction to substances. Additionally, compulsive technology use has become the norm in our society, so most screen addictions aren’t taken seriously by others. All of these activities may be healthy in moderation, but they can evolve into unhealthy dependencies over time.
Addiction is almost never a standalone issue—it usually stems from a deeper, underlying emotional wound. Since it’s hard to uncover and treat these wounds on your own, seeking help is essential. As tempted as you may be to try and overcome your habit alone, it isn’t always possible. However, by getting support from a compassionate, experienced professional, you can learn about the deep wounds driving your addiction and find relief from your struggles.
Counseling Can Help You Heal The Emotional Wounds Behind Your Substance Abuse
I have been helping clients in hospitals and outpatient settings since the 1990s, both as a nurse and a therapist. Today, I am a licensed addiction counselor. And I want to tell you that, no matter how bleak things look right now, recovery is always possible.
The process requires baby steps—after all, no one can eradicate an addiction overnight. Relapses are normal, healing takes time, and the most essential component is simply having support. That’s what I’m here to provide. My sessions offer a gentle, compassionate space where you can share your struggles without any fear of judgment.
During the intake process, my aim is to get to know you and understand what your needs and goals are. Additionally, there are several brief assessments that I will conduct to determine if you are addicted or not and the level of care required.
In the following sessions, you and I will explore the underlying causes that have led to your addiction. We will examine any genetic factors, social pressures, and potential trauma that may contribute to your struggles. After all, addiction is not a choice—behind every habit is a deep, unaddressed hurt that hasn’t properly healed. That’s why the focus of addiction counseling is on support and care rather than willpower. No one can conquer their addiction just by being strong or “toughing it out.” The emphasis of my sessions is on healing, not blame.
One of the core approaches I use for addiction treatment is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Oftentimes, negative thoughts and self-beliefs underlie addiction. For instance, maybe you feel unworthy or unlovable and drugs or alcohol seem like the best relief from your low self-esteem. The goal of CBT is to address the thoughts and beliefs unconsciously fueling your habit and help you retrain your brain to make better decisions.
Additionally, I often utilize an approach called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. This is a gentle, relaxing method of treatment that seeks to relieve any trauma contributing to your addiction. When you experience trauma, the neural pathways of your brain get blocked, preventing you from processing your pain in a healthy way. EMDR unblocks these pathways so that you can process and resolve the painful experiences that underlie your addiction. This way, you can address your habit at its source instead of just focusing on the habit itself.
Above all, I encourage you to be kind to yourself. Addiction is an illness, not a character trait. There is nothing wrong with you and you are not alone. By getting to the root of your addiction and having someone caring and supportive to walk with you on your journey, it is possible to take back control of your life.
You may have some questions and concerns about addiction therapy…
Can counseling really help me? Why can’t I just do it alone?
I’ve had decades of experience helping people wrestle with addiction. In that time, I’ve heard numerous people tell me they can overcome their addiction alone. Unfortunately, this attitude just isn’t realistic. On your own, you are more likely to relapse and fall back on old strategies and coping mechanisms that don’t work. To experience true recovery, it’s essential to get to the bottom of the issues that led to your addiction. Doing so requires consulting an unbiased, compassionate professional who can help you work through the causes of your struggles.
I don’t even understand how my addiction began for me.
Addiction has a way of taking you by surprise. Even an innocent drug prescription from your doctor can lead to an addiction. You may have begun taking the medication as a means of dealing with an injury, but over time, you found yourself becoming dependent on the drugs even when you didn’t need them. In this way, addiction usually begins as a way of coping with physical or emotional pain. Substance abuse counseling will help you explore the pain that underscores your habit, whether it’s depression, anxiety, or even trauma.
I don’t know if I’m addicted. I don’t know the signs of drug or alcohol abuse.
You may experience strained relationships with family and friends or perform poorly in school or work. Moreover, perhaps you find yourself becoming overly defensive around others. When they question you about your addiction, maybe you instantly deny it or minimize the harm it’s causing. Regardless of the signs you exhibit, it’s always worth seeking help. After all, even if your addiction is not as bad as some people might think, therapy can still help you expand your self-awareness and experience growth in your life.
Let Me Help You Achieve A Reset In Your Life
Whether you are struggling with sex addiction or drug and alcohol abuse, I am confident that counseling can help you. When you have someone to walk with you on your journey of recovery, your burdens become lighter and the journey less wearying. To take the first step, you can fill out the contact form or call 303-905-9154 for a free phone consultation.
I offer both in-person and online substance abuse counseling.