Seeking Therapy for Addiction Is a Brave Step
I’m starting with this because I really want you to understand and believe it.
It’s true—seeking therapy for addiction is a brave step.
It’s no secret there’s quite a bit of stigma surrounding addiction and substance use. But I know and you know that addiction is a mental health struggle…
And it deserves a mental health solution.
Addiction and Mental Health
Addiction isn’t a personal failing. Years and years of scientific study have taught us that it’s a chronic disease, a brain disorder that impacts how chemicals in your body are controlled.
It’s linked to your brain’s reward system, leaving you struggling to control your own behaviors as your body encourages you to seek more and more of something.
Addiction can leave you feeling helpless and out of control. The struggle alone can cause significant anxiety and depression, feelings of isolation, guilt, or shame.
You might find yourself abnormally tired, lacking motivation, and extremely focused on the addiction.
Maybe people are noticing. Maybe they’re starting to ask about your habits. Or maybe you’re finding it more and more difficult to keep up with your regular responsibilities or obligations.
Addiction Therapy Can Help
If you’re experiencing an addiction, you might be struggling with some combination of the following:
Stronger and stronger cravings, even as you feel like you want to use the substance less or engage less frequently in the behavior
Feeling like you’ve used the substance or engaged in the behavior for a longer period of time than you intended and are dedicating an increasing amount of time to it
More time than you’d like is dedicated to the addictive substance or behavior–you feel like you want your life back
Difficulty balancing other parts of your life and jeopardizing things like your job, your relationships, or your hobbies because of your substance use or the addictive behavior
Finding yourself in dangerous situations because of your addiction
Feeling your tolerance increase and needing to engage in more of the behavior or consume more of the substance to get the same effect—and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you don’t
If these sound familiar, addiction therapy might be the right choice for you.
I’m an Addiction Therapist Who Prioritizes Teamwork and Respect
Addiction is a powerful thing. You might be trying your best to manage it on your own—but addictions have a strong hold, and we can’t do it alone.
As an addiction therapist, I’m here to meet you where you are. Together, we can identify a path forward and help you develop the skills to live a rich, full life without the overwhelming presence of your addiction.
My goal is to help you improve your level of functioning and gain the skills necessary to make the best decisions you can make. I want you to feel confident and empowered, able to lower your stress and anxiety.
And I want you to feel able to do that in a therapeutic space free of judgment and pressure…
In a space where kindness, compassion, and respect are prioritized.
Support Group for Moms of Addicts
We offer a support group for mothers or female caretakers who have children who struggle with substance use disorder.
The Women Supporting Women support group for moms of addicts and other female caretakers is focused on self-care. In this group, we use strategies like the following to bring the focus back to women’s wellness:
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
- Equine therapy
- Music therapy
- Yoga
- Painting
Offered through the October Foundation, Women Supporting Women is a sacred space where shame-free sharing is encouraged. We seek to uplift and support each other on the difficult road we travel as moms and caretakers of addicts.
For more information, including our meeting schedule and how to join, please contact [email protected]. Attendance is free for all participants.
“The thing that is really hard and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning to work on becoming yourself.”
~ Anna Quindlen