Substance Use Counseling
Have you ever felt you ought to cut down on your drinking or drug use?
Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking or drug use?
Have you felt bad or guilty about your drinking or drug use?
Have you ever had a drink or used drugs first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (eye-opener)?
These are referred to as screening questions for substance use. If you answered “yes” to any of them, maybe it’s time to take a closer look at having a more in-depth conversation about substance use for you or a loved one, so let’s chat.
Substance Use Counseling
Substance use counseling is an environment in which you can be heard and supported, without judgment, and I will help you make choices that are healthier for your body and mind. It's a safe space to talk about your struggles and we will work together on positive changes. Substance use counseling is a uniquely designed type of therapy intended to help folks in overcoming their struggles with substance use and addiction. The approach with this therapy is very supportive and encourages people to really understand, acknowledge, take responsibility, and move into long term recovery of their substance use.
We don’t always think about this, but anyone, at anytime can become addicted to a substance. Regardless of age, gender, socioeconomic status, or other demographic make-up, addiction absolutely does not discriminate. Addiction could start a number of ways, such as an experimental. As human beings, naturally we are a fairly curious crowd. Maybe using “something” ( insert substance of choice) could just take the edge off or deal with some emotional pain. The issue then becomes when and how to stop using the substance because now it has become this comforting crutch, kind of easier to reach for rather than dealing with the emotional or actual issue. Over time, the substance of choice can cause health issues, damage relationships, and wreck havoc on your life. When folks are ready to come to therapy, I’m ready to meet them where they are.
It’s really important to me that trust and safety be cornerstone of substance counseling specifically. You need a space to feel as though you can securely open up about your struggles without judgment. Substance use counseling is a therapy near to my heart . I understand the frustration, judgments, guilt, thoughts that come with it. I am here to help you set goals that are important to you and your recovery, whether that is building a sober support system, examining your mental health and wellness goals, or looking at relapse prevention goals.
Different therapy techniques used in substance use counseling help to identify triggers, develop coping skills for substance use, as well as coping skills for mental health, and change the way we view addiction. Managing triggers and cravings even after a decent amount of clean time can be tricky! Developing strategies to prevent relapse, strengthen refusal skills, and improve positive sober support systems is paramount in recovery. This does NOT mean you must attend 12 step meetings, let’s figure out what it means for you. Everyone’s sober support system is unique to them.
Let’s be honest here though, it’s not super comfortable to ask for help or to receive help, how very human of you. Most of us like our comfort zones too. In fact it’s when we step outside of the comfort zone and start to feel discomfort that we reach for something that makes us feel more comfort. This is all really hard stuff, but here you are being vulnerable just reading this, finding out more information.
Substance use counseling is a compassionate way to help folks in facing their addiction. Where ever you are in your recovery process, I’m here to meet you where you are to take you to the next step. If you are a concerned other, this includes you! Quite honestly, we want you involved in the recovery process too. There is a remarkable amount of hope in recovery !
“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” – C.S. Lewis