Addiction Counseling

What is Addiction?

Addiction is a psychological and physical inability to stop consuming a chemical, drug, substance, or partaking in an activity, even though it is causing psychological and physical harm.

Addiction is also a complex disease and through years of research, it is classified as a disease that affects the brain in a way that it will take over. When a person experiences addiction, it has a tendency to relate to people making bad choices in an attempt to gain fulfillment.

More often than not, drug addictions start with experimental use of a drug in social situations. And for some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. As time passes, a person may feel the need to use more of a drug to gain their desired “high” and soon a person may need the drug to simply feel “good” or “get well.” By this point, addiction can take over and then you are no longer able to control how you use a substance or partake in an activity, reducing self-control to the point that it takes over your life.

Most people think of substance use when they hear about addiction, but that’s not the only type of addiction.

Types of Addiction:

The two most recognized types of addiction are: chemical addiction and behavioral addiction.

Chemical addiction involves the use of substances. Some of the more common addictive substances include, but are not limited to:

Alcohol (ex. beer, liquor)
Opioids, including both heroin as well as prescription pain medication like oxycodone and morphine
Cannabis (marijuana)
Nicotine (ex. cigarettes, chewing tobacco, dip, snuff)
Amphetamines (ex. Adderall, Ritalin, Vyvanse)
Cocaine
Methamphetamine

Behavioral addiction refers to addiction that involves a compulsion to engage in a rewarding non-substance related behavior. Some of the more common addictive behaviors people often seek therapy and other professional support to address include:

Gambling addiction
Video Game addiction
Internet addiction (ex. social media, gaming, pornography)
Shopping addiction
Sex addiction
Food addiction
Plastic Surgery addiction

If you or a loved one appears to be struggling in this area, there is help. As an addiction counselor, I will address the symptoms of your addiction and the related areas of impaired functioning, and together we’ll structure the time and content of your ongoing recovery.

I believe that there are many paths to successful recovery that will work with your goals and desires, and ensure you can make the life changes you want to make.

If you’d like to see how counseling could help you and your loved ones find new peace, please contact me today for an appointment.

FAQ’s of Addiction

What are primary indications of addiction?

Uncontrollably seeking a substance or to engage in a non-substance related behavior
Uncontrollably engaging in harmful levels of habit-forming behaviors
Neglecting or losing interest in activities that do not involve the harmful substance or behaviors
Relationship difficulties, which often involve lashing out at people who identify the dependency
An inability to stop using a drug, or engaging in a non-substance related behavior though it may be causing health problems or personal problems, such as issues with employment or relationships
Hiding substances or behaviors and otherwise exercising secrecy, for example, by refusing to explain injuries that occurred while under the influence
Profound changes in appearance, including a noticeable abandonment of hygiene
Increased risk-taking, both to access the substance or behavior, while using it or engaging in it
Declining physical health, irritation, fatigue, and an inability to cease using a substance or engaging in a behavior
Addiction can also lead to behavior that strains relationships and inhibits daily activities

I believe that there are many paths to successful recovery that will work with your goals and desires, and ensure you can make the life changes you want to make.

If you’d like to see how counseling could help you and your loved ones find new peace, please contact me today for a consultation or to schedule an appointment.

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