Has Your Drug And/Or Alcohol Use Become An Unhealthy Dependency?

• Has substance abuse negatively affected your relationships, family life or career?
• Do you consistently vow to cut down or stop using, but keep breaking the promises you make to yourself and others?
• Do you need to drink or use more to get high, perhaps because your tolerance has increased?
• Are you pushing away the people you love because you’re worried they’ll judge or reject you or force you to quit?
• Do you passionately want to find the will to quit, but feel helpless to do so? 

If drugs, alcohol or prescription medication have a prominent presence in your life, then you may have a problem with dependency. Perhaps you struggle to wake up in the morning because you’re hung over from the night before. You might call in sick or arrive late to work because you feel physically and emotionally unwell. You might bargain with yourself, perhaps thinking you’ll just have one drink at happy hour, one glass of wine at home or just one hit before bed – only to have your casual happy hour turn into a nightlong binge. Additionally, you might go to great lengths to hide your substance abuse – perhaps lying about how much you’ve had to drink.

You do not need to hit “rock bottom” to want to regain control of your life. You may be ready to rid yourself of drugs and alcohol today, but fear you lack the tools to do so.

Addiction Can Happen To Anyone

If drug or alcohol dependency is a daily battle for you, you’re certainly not alone. Everyone is vulnerable to addiction, from celebrities, to business people, to the rich and the poor. Addiction is not a matter of willpower, the quality of your character or your emotional resilience. In fact, many individuals are biologically predisposed to addictive behavior, especially those with family histories of substance abuse. For them, casual drug or alcohol use can easily spiral into dependency. Alternatively, individuals with extreme social anxiety or those who’ve had painful, traumatic experiences will sometimes turn to drugs or alcohol to overcome inhibitions and numb physical and emotional pain. That said, drugs and alcohol are a short-term fix that often exacerbate anxiety and sadness, resulting in an endless cycle of negative thoughts and feelings, followed by more self-medication and guilt.

Addiction Counseling Can Help You Regain Control of Your Life

Addiction doesn’t have to be your reality. I’ve worked with many people struggling with substance abuse issues, including veterans who used drugs and alcohol to numb the pain of war. Through the therapy process, many of them were able to turn away from substance abuse and ultimately find peace and fulfillment, despite their highly traumatic experiences. I am confident the same can be achieved for you.

In my office you’ll find a safe, confidential space where you’ll be able to reflect on your struggles with drugs or alcohol with someone who is familiar with the addiction/recovery process. I can help you determine whether you really do have a problem and together we’ll set goals for your recovery. In our sessions, we can discuss your family history and explore the root causes of your addictive behavior. Simply being aware of predisposition can go a long way toward avoiding future dependencies. More importantly, we can take an in-depth look at your life experience and gain greater insight into why you might have turned to drugs and alcohol in the first place. If you’ve experienced a past trauma or are displaying the symptoms of depression and/or anxiety, addiction counseling can address these issues as well.

In sessions, I can also help you develop positive outlets for expressing the negative thoughts and feelings associated with depression and anxiety, along with healthy coping tools to better manage the stress and emotional triggers that may be causing you to turn to drugs and alcohol. In addition, you can learn to redirect negative patterns of behavior and adopt healthier alternatives to substance abuse.

Perhaps you’re ready to break free from drugs and alcohol, but still have apprehensions and questions about addiction counseling…

My substance abuse isn’t that bad. I don’t need addiction counseling. 

If you’ve landed on this page, you may be wondering whether you have a problem with drugs and alcohol. Admitting you have a problem is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, becoming conscious of one’s dependency is often the first step on the road to recovery. If you think there’s a chance that you may be developing an addiction to drugs and/or alcohol, it’s best to find help now. Don’t put off finding help for when you’ve hit rock bottom. Doing so will only make matters worse.

I’m worried I’ll be labeled an addict if I enroll in addiction counseling.

There’s no shame in conceding that you have a problem. It takes courage to face your issues. In my office you’ll be given a confidential environment free of judgment. I’m here to help you, not to label you.

I should be able to beat this on my own. I don’t need addiction counseling.

If everyone were able to overcome addiction by willpower alone, then you wouldn’t hear about drug and alcohol dependency so often. Your addiction has likely developed as the result of powerful biochemical and psychological forces, which will require much more than willpower to overcome. You shouldn’t have to suffer alone. Breaking through your dependency requires help, whether it’s from a trusted friend, a support group or the guidance of a therapist.

Addiction Doesn’t Have to Last Forever

Stop letting drugs, alcohol and prescription medication consume your mind, body and soul. With help, it is possible to gain control over your addiction and reestablish normalcy in your life. I’d be happy to discuss your experience and any questions you might have about addiction counseling and the therapy process. Email janet@janettraylorcounseling.com or call (858) 255-0089 to schedule an appointment.