Addiction Treatment
Updated: Mar 23, 2023
You are not alone
According to Recovery Research Institute, 1 in 10 Americans "have a significant substance abuse problem." Nationwide the number is close to 40 million. Chances are you know one or more people in your close network who struggles with addiction.
Symptom Checker:
Signs of substance abuse:
Are you experiencing problems at work, school, or home due to substance use?
Do you continue to use substances despite negative impacts on your physical and mental health?
Do you have a high tolerance?
Do you experience cravings for the drug of choice?
Do you have a recent history of trouble with the law due to drug use?
Still not sure? Take a free quiz below
Am I Addicted? (Click on the link, and we'll email you a free quiz)
What is normal, and when its a problem?
Let's start with the definition of a drug user–a person who consumes substances regularly. Under this definition, many people can relate. You can consume legal or illegal mind-altering substances and would not meet the criteria of one who has a substance abuse problem. The time to be concerned is when the substance you are taking is starting to decrease the quality of your life. An example of this threshold would be when drug use negatively influences your work, school, relationships, or all of the above.
Mind-Body Connection
In most cases, addiction starts in the mind as one cannot find a constructive way to manage a specific mental trigger. Addiction usually starts with a mental desire to use the substance. Once this process is repeated enough times, the individual will start experiencing cravings and building tolerance. Physical dependence means the cells have adapted to the drug and now require the mind-altering substance to function normally. Experiencing withdrawal is a sign of chemical dependence. Once hooked, whether on nicotine, alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other chemically addictive substance, the user will be physically and mentally dependent on the drug.
Common Triggers
Most people abuse substances due to a need for any combination of the following triggers: feeling on edge due to moderate to high levels of unmanaged anxiety, boredom, unmanaged depressive symptoms, loneliness, and the need to numb the pain. In most cases, the drugs are used as a coping skill to mask pain or create an emotional experience one craves and cannot create naturally.
Understand the Stages of Addiction
In order to understand addiction, it's important to become familiar with the stages of change. The stages will help define a starting point and will help map out the recovery journey.
Pre-contemplation
"I don't have a problem; leave me alone."
Contemplation
"I know I have a problem, but I'm not ready to do anything about it."
Preparation
"I'm taking steps to learn about addiction."
"I'm learning about my triggers."
"I" m working on building a plan to address the root cause of the problem with the help of a professional counselor/therapist or sponsor."
Action
"I'm actively working on my plan."
Maintenance
"I have over 12 months of sobriety and am actively working on my plan to keep it."
Denial and asking for help
Crossing over into the addiction phase is usually very difficult to admit, which is why most start in the pre-contemplative stage of change. Admitting one has a problem calls for courage and overcoming a common limiting belief that usually holds those struggling with addictive behavior back. Please know you don't have to get to the "rock bottom phase" before committing to change.
I’ve heard of AA; is this the only way to recovery?
If Abstinence has not worked and you have tried AA, and it has also not worked for you, please know there is another way.
How we differ
In the past ten years, we have worked with our clients, helping them heal from addictive behavior. The healing process can be broken down into three steps outlined below.
Face the problem
Denial will only cause more pain.
Asking for help is not a weakness but a sign of strength and an opportunity to demonstrate courage.
Complete a Diagnostic and an ASAM assessment
Schedule an assessment with a licensed substance abuse professional
Choose a counselor trained to complete a Diagnostic and an ASAM evaluation to assess whether one meets the criteria for Substance Abuse disorder, followed by assigning a level of care.
Create a plan
Create a person-centered recovery plan.
Our Recovery Plan
Restoration of Body and Mind focuses on the following key areas
Exercise
Diet
Sleep
Hydration
Mindfulness training
Breathwork
Physical movement
Learning and owning your triggers
Assess current triggers
Write out your triggers
Write out your plan to address triggers
Improve problem-solving
Assess your ability to take charge of your life problem, starting by talking about them
Assess your ability to create a plan to address problems
Accountability partner (who in your life will hold you accountable)
Support Group
Assess support group
Eliminate enablers
Create a support group
Assess one’s ability to utilize one’s, support group
Introduce AA
Create an Emergency Contact List
Write out your Relapse prevention plan
Take the next step.
Connect with what you learned about our approach, schedule a free consult today, and learn how to start building a plan that will work for you.
