SUBSTANCE ABUSE Counseling

One of the most important, difficult, and complex areas of mental health is the field of substance abuse. Research indicates that the vast majority of people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol have an underlying mental health condition or significant emotional/psychological difficulty. About half of people with a mental health diagnoses will face challenges with drugs or alcohol at some point in their life, usually as a form of self-medication. 

Warning Signs of Drug or Alcohol Abuse

Drug and Alcohol abuse may be difficult to define. Opinions vary with people’s values and beliefs. For some, any use of an illegal drug, and any use of alcohol with the primary purpose of intoxication constitutes abuse. For others, abuse is indicated by a negative impact in the individual’s life, for example, the presence of several of the following signs:

• Failing in school or routinely missing work
• Driving while under the influence
• Injuring oneself or others
• Developing physical illnesses
• Damaging relationships with friends and family
• Spending too much money
• Diminishing interest in other activities
• Getting in repeated legal trouble
• Overdosing
• Signs That Substance Abuse Has Become Substance Addiction

Some people struggle with drug and alcohol abuse in silence or do not realize that they may have a problem with addiction.

Some signs of "hidden" substance abuse may include:

• Hiding your use from friends and family
• Forgetting what happened last time you used substances (black outs)
• Trying to quit but not being able to
• Using more than you intended to, repeatedly
• Drinking or drugging yourself sick, repeatedly
• Using first thing in the morning
• Using several times a day
• Going on binges (long nights, or several days, of heavy using)
• Being told by others you have a problem

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Tools of the Trade: How does Therapy work?

Psychotherapy for drug or alcohol addiction is focused on modifying maladaptive behavior. People who misuse drugs or alcohol usually do so as a way of coping with experiences, memories or events that emotionally overwhelm them. Even if they had developed the proper coping strategies, people who misuse rely on the immediate gratification of the drugs and alcohol rather than facing the issues at hand. A therapist who specializes in addiction recovery will help a client set achievable short term goals in order to empower the client. Once sobriety is achieved, healthy and adaptive skills can be taught and developed and the therapist and client can begin to explore the issues that led to the addiction, employing the new coping strategies. Together, the client and therapist will work to set longer term goals that include rebuilding damaged relationships, accepting responsibility and releasing guilt. A skilled therapist can help someone dependent on drugs or alcohol overcome their addiction and set them on the path of achieving the life they truly desire.