Substance Use and Addiction

Being able to recognize a substance use problem is the first step to getting help. How do I know if my use is becoming problematic?

  • Loss of control; not being able to stop even when you want to.
  • Avoiding people or ignoring priorities and obligations
  • Disregarding potential consequences like health, relationships and responsibilities
  • Feelings of depression, anxiety, irritability, or other sudden mood changes
  • Obsessive thoughts about the substance
  • Have you tried to limit or control your substance use habits only to find you eventually revert back to old patterns? Or maybe the thought of living life without substances seems overwhelming. If even a small part of you wants to make a change, that’s enough to start.

Where do I start?

The place to start is the simplest but also the most difficult. Reach out and ask for help. You don’t have to commit to change right away, all you have to do is have a conversation. Addiction likes to live in secret, but remember you are not alone and there is support waiting for you when you are ready.

What can I expect in a therapy session?

Assessment

A comprehensive assessment will clinically assess the problem, identify other areas that have been impacted but substance use, and determine what type of treatment or services will offer the best opportunity for meeting your goals.

Explore Your Substance Use

Learn more about how substance use has impacted your life, the role it plays, and the barriers that exist to making change. We will explore things like: What contributes to substance use? How did it develop over time? Why can others seemingly stop when they want but for you it feels different? How comes sometimes it feels like I have control and other times it doesn’t?

Create an Individualized Plan

Very rarely does a substance use problem exist just on its own, meaning it is difficult to simply “stop using” or “use less” on sheer willpower alone. An individualized plan will directly address any other challenges, that when done simultaneously with substance use treatment offers a much greater chance of success. A comprehensive action plan will also be used to help you identify triggers and respond to them in ways that you feel better about.

For Friends and Family

Substance use and addiction impacts the whole family. I also offer support to family members who want to know more about substance use and addiction, how to communicate and support a loved one they are worried about, and how to begin their own healing process. Because friends and family deserve their own healing process too.