Substance Use
Are you trying to cut back on or stop using substances? Are you struggling to do this, despite really wanting to quit? Do you feel alone in your struggle? At times, it may be difficult keeping up with your responsibilities. Is it starting to negatively impact your relationships? Maybe you’re experiencing strong cravings and urges. Do you beat yourself up emotionally after giving in to cravings, and end up feeling worse? If you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms, it can make it even harder to quit.
If you’re struggling with substance use, you’re not alone. I want you to know this is a normal response, especially after the brain has been exposed to certain substances over and over. Unfortunately, there is a lot of stigma and shame around substance use, which creates a significant barrier to reaching out for help.
It’s important to remember that your subconscious mind is wired to get your needs met, and while it does so by seeking pleasure, it’s more focused on avoiding pain - in the case of substance use, both emotional and physical pain (i.e. withdrawal symptoms). The “tug-of-war” feeling when trying to quit an addiction or unhealthy habit is your conscious mind and your subconscious mind butting heads.
In therapy, I want to create a safe space. A space of compassion, not shame. I want you to feel supported and empowered to share your story, to share how you’ve been impacted by substance use. We will work together to identify the needs that your subconscious mind is determined to meet through substance use. In doing so, we will develop strategies to get your needs met in healthy ways.
Do you have certain core beliefs, thought patterns, and emotions that drive you to cope by using substances? We will begin to reprogram these painful narratives, and examine what substance use costs you in your relationship to yourself and others. We will identify what triggers the cravings and urges to use substances, and develop healthy coping strategies in response.
Because isolation can be a barrier to recovery, we will work on cultivating a strong support system of people you trust. This may look like family, friends, support groups, and/or a sponsor.
In some cases, I may refer you to a medical professional who specializes in substance use, in order to effectively manage withdrawal symptoms and tapering off of certain substances. In other cases, we may discuss the possibility of inpatient rehabilitation.
Recovery from substance use is an ongoing process, with its ups and downs. While having an end goal is important, it’s just as important to focus on the road ahead. And remember, even the bumps in the road move you forward.