Addiction and Substance Use

Many people wrestle with the thought that they have been drinking too much, using or partying too much, or taking prescription medication too often. While alcohol, cannabis, and prescription medications are legal, they still can be harmful for certain people. If you’re worried about your use, let’s explore what might be underneath it. Rarely have I found that someone’s use is the original issue. Substance use tends to become the symptom that gets the most attention, but other factors usually led someone to “treat” the original problem with substances. Maybe it is unresolved grief, trauma, difficulties standing up for yourself, shame and guilt, or difficulties controlling your anger. I find that substance use is accompanied by underlying emotional pain that requires an integrative approach to treatment. 

The good news is that substance use is treatable and many people have been able to get and stay sober. The first step is to identify if you’d like to change your use. If so, are you wanting to limit your use (harm reduction) or eliminate it (abstinence)? My approach to treating substance use includes:

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Mindfulness
• Relapse prevention
• Relaxation techniques
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Dialectical-Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Practicing assertiveness skills
• Grief work
• Trauma work
• Anger management skills
• Psychoeducation

There is no “one size fits all” treatment approach when it comes to substance use disorders, so let’s work together to determine what will best help you live the life you want.