Addiction and Substance Abuse can come with a lot of complexity and deserves proper, holistic and evidence-based treatment. Often, there is an overwhelming feeling of guilt or shame as you can feel like you are carrying the burden of your addiction alone. No matter what you are struggling with, our team of experienced and licensed practitioners are here every step of the way.
One of the key cognitive indicators of substance abuse is the persistent craving for the substance. These cravings can be overpowering and all-consuming, making it difficult to focus on anything else.
It is possible you might not fully recognize the extent of your reliance or dependency. Denial is common, and you may find yourself minimizing the negative impact of your substance use.
If you are struggling with addiction you may experience difficulty in controlling your use. It is important to understand the significant impacts of an addictive substance can make it difficult to cease use altogether.
Over time, the body becomes tolerant to a substance, meaning that you will need larger amounts to achieve the same effect. If you stop or reduce use, you can experience withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking, sweating, nausea, or anxiety.
Addiction can cause noticeable physical changes. You may experience weight fluctuations, poor hygiene (due to depression or lack of motivation), skin changes or bloodshot eyes.
Chronic use of substances can lead to a variety of physical health problems, such as liver damage, lung disease (in the case of smoking), gastrointestinal issues, or cardiovascular problems.
It is common to experience feelings of overwhelming guilt and shame over the inability to control the substance use. These emotions can contribute to a persistent cycle of addiction, where substances are used to cope with feelings of worthlessness.
Emotional symptoms of addiction can lead to social withdrawal and isolation. You may find yourself withdrawing from family, friends, and loved ones.
You may feel like substances are used as a way to numb your emotional pain or avoid difficult feelings like sadness, grief, or anxiety. This emotional disconnection can make it difficult to engage in healthy relationships.
Relapse Prevention Therapy is specifically focused on ensuring you feel supported during active recovery. The therapy focuses on identifying high-risk situations and developing strategies to prevent relapse before it happens and increase protective factors.
Motivational Interviewing is a client-centered, goal-oriented therapeutic approach that can help you overcome any ambivalence about making changes. It’s particularly helpful during the early stages of recovery to foster internal motivation to engage in treatment and change harmful patterns.
DBT for addiction is an evidence-based treatment that can help you manage overwhelming emotions, which often play a significant role in addiction. Emotional regulation strategies can help you to learn how to reduce impulsive and harmful behaviours related to addiction.
Identifying triggers:
RPT helps to identify emotional, environmental, and social triggers that could lead to substance use.
Building coping strategies:
Teaching effective coping strategies for managing cravings, stress, and temptations to use substances.
Maintaining long-term recovery:
With relapse prevention skills, you are better equipped to manage challenges without turning to drugs or alcohol
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, we encourage you to reach out today to begin your recovery journey. You don’t have to face addiction alone, and together, we can help you take the first step toward healing and lasting sobriety.
