Substance Use
“I want to stop, but I just can’t...”
“I feel like I’m out of control…”
These days, many of us feel like we are addicted to something - whether it’s shopping, social media, energy drinks, going to the gym - the list is almost endless. Sometimes it’s the more obvious addictions like alcohol, drugs, nicotine, or sex; or sometimes it’s something a little less obvious. Either way, you start to notice it when it begins feeling out of your control.
Maybe you’ve started to notice that your bank account is lower than it ought to be. You’re spending more and more money at the bars, shopping online, ‘having fun’ on the weekends. Or maybe the people in your life have started to notice that something is off with you. They keep suggesting that you seem “different” or that you’re spending more time isolating from friends and family. Maybe you’re getting into more and more fights with your partner. Whatever it is, there is a growing concern that you might have a problem - like you can’t fully stop yourself, but you also don’t want to continue doing what you’re doing.
Some common struggles related to substance use
The substance or “high" isn’t as fun or satisfying as it used to be
Increased time and money devoted to alcohol or drugs
Increased time recovering from substance use, hangovers, or “coming down”
Cravings or increased use of alcohol or drugs over time
Unhealthy risk-taking related to substance use
Increased relationship problems, mental health, or physical health problems over time
Neglecting important relationships, household activities, or important events
Unsuccessful attempts to stop or control yourself
The path back to feeling in control.
Whatever the substance you may be struggling with, this is a judgment free space to recover. Together, we can determine the right path to help free you from substance abuse. This may be complete abstinence from the substances or simply having a more moderate relationship with these activities. Either way, we will work on understanding what change you need to make and begin taking the steps to get you there using motivational techniques, trigger identification, and relapse prevention planning. (Note: slip-ups and relapses are often just part of the process and do not have to dissuade you from the course!). I’d love to help you get to a point that your life feels more manageable.