Has Addiction Taken Control Of Your Life?

Do you struggle with compulsive or addictive behavior, such as alcohol or drug dependency? Perhaps you have lost financial security, relationship trust or your own peace of mind as a result of your reliance on substances and behaviors. Do you worry about what else you could lose if you continue to engage in addictive habits? Have you lied to or manipulated your loved ones to hide your behavior or find ways to meet your urges? It’s possible you also suffer from the physical symptoms of substance abuse, such as headaches, rapid heart rate, vomiting, body aches or tremors – sometimes when you use or when you are going through withdrawal. Do cravings often interfere with your work or your time spent with your family? Do you wish you could stop the need to use, develop new ways to cope with challenges and move forward in a peaceful and rewarding life?

Living with an addiction can make you feel powerless as the negative effects spill over into every area of your life. Your relationships with your loved ones may be in turmoil because you attempt to conceal your addiction from them, often isolating yourself in order to use. If you are in a romantic relationship, you may have repeatedly abused the trust of your partner by claiming that you have your addiction under control. At work, staying productive may seem impossible as you focus on the next available time to indulge in your compulsions. At the end of the day, your accumulating stress may quickly trigger your cravings. After you engage in your addictive behaviors, you may feel remorseful, hopeless and helpless against the fierce grip your substance of choice has on you.

Addiction Is More Common Than You May Think

The National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions found that more than 10 percent of Americans struggle with alcoholism and/or a drug use disorder. It’s no surprise why so many people turn to addictive substances. We live in a fast-paced and competitive world in which every moment needs to be exhilarating and fun. When individuals are faced with the not-so-thrilling reality, alcohol and substances may fill the void of the excitement that is missing from their lives. In other cases, people may turn to substances to self-medicate when the stress of everyday life, including societal pressures to succeed and be happy, become too overwhelming. Unfortunately, no matter how individuals begin dangerous addictive patterns, they often result in a downward spiral of lies, manipulation, desperation, guilt and health deterioration.

The good news is that addiction counseling can help you free yourself from substance abuse, strengthen your connections with your loved ones and focus on what you truly value in life.

Regain Control Of Your Life With Addiction Counseling

In supportive, nonjudgmental and comfortable addiction counseling sessions, I will help you understand all of the contributing factors to your addiction. We will assess your genetic predisposition to addiction, your childhood experiences and your current stress to pinpoint what may be triggering your compulsions to drink or use drugs. As we work together and explore your experience, needs and goals, if you and I determine that you need a more rigorous treatment program, I can refer you to trusted local centers.

Depending on the factors contributing to your addiction, you and I will develop a tailor-made plan to reduce your cravings and create a new way of thinking about your addiction. For example, growing up, your family may have had a strict attitude toward drugs and alcohol, which fueled your desire to rebel. In this instance, we will focus on the thoughts and emotions associated with your substance of choice so you can reduce the need to use in the future.

I am also trained in a cutting edge addiction counseling approach – EMDR Feeling States Addiction Protocol. During our sessions, we will determine if your addiction is triggered by a very specific feeling linked to a past experience. If this is the case, this memory of a feeling may be stuck in your mind and contributing to your need to use. Using Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), you will have the chance to process this memory and the feeling tied to it so you can stop the cycle of urges to abuse drugs or alcohol.

During addiction counseling sessions, we will also work as a team to identify new and healthy coping mechanisms for your stress and negative emotions. If you use drugs or drink in order to get through the stress of the day or distract yourself from sadness, we will collaborate to create a comprehensive list of positive coping mechanisms, such as an exercise routine or engaging in a meaningful conversation with a loved one.

Strengthening your relationships with your family and friends will be another crucial step toward your full recovery. It’s possible that tension or enabling in your relationships is blocking you from sobriety. In this situation, I will help you develop tools that you can utilize to connect with your loved ones in a positive way. Your relationship can begin to eliminate paths to using and provide you with caring resources you may rely on.

As a therapist on the cutting edge of addiction counseling, I was appointed by the Governor to the Arizona Substance Abuse Partnership (ASAP) Committee, which works to improve substance abuse prevention, enforcement and treatment in the state.

No matter the severity of your addiction, you have hope to recover. With the help of an experienced addiction counseling therapist, you can learn more about yourself, discover ways to stop cravings and reconnect with your loved ones.

Perhaps you have a teenager who you believe is struggling with an addiction. Click here to view my teen counseling page and learn more about teen addiction counseling...

You may be interested in addiction counseling, but you still have questions and hesitations…

I don’t know if I am ready to stop using or drinking. 

It’s very important that you are prepared to change before we begin counseling sessions. While you may be afraid of what will happen when you stop using or drinking, I can support you as you welcome the new ideas and strategies we will cover during treatment. At times, your path toward sobriety may be difficult, but by putting in the work, you can free yourself from the thought and behavioral patterns holding you back from a rewarding life.

How much time and energy will I need to put into addiction counseling?

Just as each person is different, each addiction is different. Even though we may be able to make a good amount of progress in a short amount of time, you should be ready to invest as much energy in your recovery as possible. Among the vast benefits of therapy, your health, well-being and connection to loved ones all have the potential to greatly improve.

If you have a busy schedule, I offer flexible appointment options, including some time during nights and weekends.

I am afraid of facing the damage I’ve caused in my life. 

If your drug of choice is currently numbing the pain you experience, it’s very common to worry about what will happen when you quit. However, with me, you will have the opportunity to work with a professional as you undergo this major life change. Together, we will go beyond just working on your addiction, focusing on improving your inner thoughts and feelings as well as your relationships with your family and friends.

Find Freedom From The Burden Of An Addiction

If you are ready to learn more about your addiction and work toward a peaceful, meaningful and connected life, I invite you to contact me for a 30-minute free phone consultation to discuss your needs and how I can help. You can reach me at 602-549-4398 or contact me here.

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