Substance Abuse Counseling
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Substance Abuse Counseling
Are You Self-Medicating To Cope With Mental Health Struggles?
Have you been relying on alcohol, tobacco, or other substances to numb negative emotions after going through a difficult experience? Are you struggling with mood swings, fatigue, or a lack of focus? Have your loved ones expressed concerns about your substance abuse, leading you to distance yourself from them?
Maybe your substance use habits have escalated lately, yet despite telling yourself that you could cut back, you can’t find the motivation to quit. Even if you do manage to break these patterns for a little while, you relapse, and you’re not sure how to commit to sobriety.
Substance Abuse Can Negatively Affect Every Aspect Of Your Life
If you’re stuck in a pattern of substance abuse, your physical health might be suffering. You may have trouble sleeping at night or dealing with symptoms like fatigue or tremors. You might be falling behind in school or at work, and you may even be worried about losing your job or facing legal challenges.
Perhaps your family and friends tried to help you stop using in the past, but now, they’ve begun to distance themselves from you. If you feel isolated from your former social circle, you might have turned to new friends who share your habits and tend to engage in risky behavior.
You might try to hide your addiction from your loved ones, and keeping secrets leaves you feeling guilty and ashamed. By opening up to a therapist, you can share the challenges you’ve been facing and find the support you need to overcome substance abuse.
Countless People Struggle With Addiction In Silence
Substance abuse is often considered a shameful secret, but many people turn to alcohol or other substances to cope with difficulties in their lives, such as financial instability, workplace stress, relationship troubles, or loneliness. Today, many people feel burned out due to intense workplace demands combined with an increasing cost of living, and substance abuse can feel like an escape.
Some people fall into harmful substance abuse patterns after a traumatic event or because they’re seeking temporary relief from chronic stress, depression, or anxiety. It’s not always easy to access mental healthcare or find support groups, and people living with untreated mental health issues might rely on various substances to momentarily alleviate their symptoms. But in the long run, substance abuse will only worsen mental health symptoms and make it harder to resolve these issues.
Why Is It So Hard To Overcome Substance Abuse?
Some people try to overcome substance abuse on their own by quitting “cold turkey” without a support group or counselor to turn to when they feel tempted to relapse. But many people struggle with this method because the cravings that drive substance abuse “hijack” the brain’s reward system, and it’s often impossible to fight these cravings with sheer willpower.
Additionally, some people relapse because of social pressure from friends and family with similar habits. Today, easy access to various substances, as well as constant marketing for products like alcohol and tobacco, can make it even harder to kick these habits. But you do not have to struggle through addiction recovery on your own. Working with the right therapist can help you break the cycle.
Substance Abuse Counseling Can Help You Address The Root Causes Of Addiction
Certain individuals delay seeking counseling for substance abuse because they worry they’ll be judged. At Channeling Growth Therapy, your safety and wellbeing are our highest priorities, and your counselor will provide you with ongoing support, not judgment. Additionally, everything you share in therapy will remain completely confidential. We employ a harm reduction model and guide our clients through incremental improvements.
What To Expect In Substance Abuse Counseling Sessions
Your therapist will help you set goals for substance abuse and addiction recovery based on the SMART framework, which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. These goals can include reducing your substance use, improving your performance at work, and reconnecting with your social circle to strengthen your relationships. They will also help you identify the specific triggers that might tempt you to relapse, which can include people, places, and situations.
With this newfound self-awareness, you’ll be able to avoid these triggers and spend more time in environments that support your wellbeing. You’ll also be prepared to rebuild your relationships, clearly communicate your needs, and form new friendships that are not centered around alcohol or other substances.
Treatment Approaches For Substance Abuse Counseling
Many people struggle with different triggers for substance abuse, and your therapist will create a customized, solution-focused treatment plan for you by drawing from several therapeutic approaches to meet your unique needs. For example, your therapist will guide you through creating a relapse prevention plan, which involves noting your triggers and developing strategies for avoiding these triggers and navigating challenging situations without turning to substance abuse.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can also be a powerful treatment method for addressing substance abuse, including alcoholism or other addictions. Through CBT, you can identify, challenge, and reframe negative thought patterns that may be contributing to substance abuse. Additionally, Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative approach for exploring any ambivalence you may have about letting go of substance abuse and deepening your motivation to build a substance-free lifestyle.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can equip you with coping skills for the difficult emotions that often come up when you’re working towards overcoming substance abuse. This approach will aid you in learning to accept cravings without judgment and commit to creating a life rooted in your core values.
Through therapy, you’ll pick up different strategies for coping with cravings and complex emotions in healthy ways rather than turning to substance abuse. Ultimately, by identifying and addressing the roots of your addiction rather than simply treating the symptoms, you can find beneficial outlets for stress, foster relationships centered around mutual support, and rediscover joy in your daily life.
But You May Still Have Questions About Substance Abuse Counseling…
Can counseling really help me overcome substance abuse?
We’ll structure our sessions around your specific goals for recovery, work with you to build practical skills you can use to deal with cravings and celebrate your early wins. Recovery isn’t linear, and there is no specific timeline for healing. Still, even if you experience setbacks, we’ll equip you with the tools you need to navigate challenges and celebrate your incremental progress. With the right therapist, counseling can be highly effective for treating substance abuse.
I’m hesitant to talk to a therapist because I’m worried I’ll be judged for my habits.
At Channeling Growth Therapy, your counselor will prioritize creating a safe, judgment-free space where you can share your experiences honestly. You will never face “consequences” for relapsing or struggling with the temptation to use again. Our primary goal is to support you in recovery and ensure your safety, and you will never be judged or reprimanded for dealing with addiction.
What if I need more intensive treatment, like a rehabilitation program?
Sometimes, clients require additional support beyond regular therapy sessions. If necessary, we can help refer you to external treatment services, including rehabilitation clinics. We also work with clients who have recently completed rehab programs and support them in adjusting to life outside of treatment.
Counseling Can Help You Recover From Substance Abuse And Reclaim Your Life
You do not have to keep struggling with addiction on your own. If you’re ready to seek treatment for substance abuse, we encourage you to fill out the contact form on our website or call us at 408-634-6506 to book a free 15-minute consultation or schedule your first counseling session.
