When you first try drugs, it can feel like it’s the answer to all your problems.
You may feel a huge burden has been lifted, making you feel “free”, or perhaps happy for the first time in years. However, experimentation can turn into addiction and now you spend much of your time, energy and money chasing drug(s) and their associated feelings.
Does this sound like you, or someone you love?
If so, I can help. I have more than 25 years of addiction counseling experience.
Chemical dependence, more commonly known as drug addiction, is a chronic, relapsing disorder marked by compulsive drug-seeking and continued use despite negative consequences. Essentially, you have lost control over your life. Recovery from addiction is about regaining that sense of control and learning healthy living habits.
There are many addictions.
Besides alcohol and illegal drugs, there’s gambling, Internet pornography, sex, and video games, to name a few. They are all behaviors we no longer feel we have control over.
Thankfully, there are a number of successful treatment methods for chemical dependency. As with most things in life, there’s no one size fits all. Together, we’ll create a treatment plan that’s specifically designed for you and your needs.
I start with the ASAM (American Society for Addiction Medicine) Criteria, which will provide you with an assessment of your treatment needs. The ASAM Criteria is the most widely used system of assessing and determining a person’s need for substance use treatment. From there, we’ll determine the best course of treatment for you.
I offer individual counseling and group counseling for those with substance abuse problems.
Here are some of the topics covered:
- Signs and symptoms of addiction
- How drugs affect your ability to drive a car and perform other functions
- How drugs affect your brain and body
- Why you make poor decisions when intoxicated
- The impact substances have on the important relationships in your life
- The basics of a recovery plan
- Developing and maintaining new coping skills
One of the reasons clients seek me out is because they’ve had a recent DUI or DWI. Driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs can have serious legal consequences. It can also endanger your safety and the safety of others.
If you’ve been convicted of drinking and driving, you’ve already been ordered by a judge to seek some form of treatment, which will help get you out of legal trouble and may allow you to continue to drive. In counseling, we’ll explore together to what extent your arrest was a sign that you have a problem with substances.
I also work with clients with co-occurring disorders, sometimes called “dual diagnosis” or “double trouble”.
A co-occurring disorder means you have a mental condition like depression or anxiety and an addiction to a substance. This often occurs when someone starts self-medicating for relief from emotional pain. When the substance use turns into dependency, you have a second problem on your hands.
People with co-occurring disorders are at high risk for additional problems such as hospitalizations, social isolation, financial problems and incarceration.
An integrated treatment approach works best for those with co-occurring disorders. That means coordinating substance use and mental health interventions rather than treating each disorder separately without consideration for the other. Treatment typically involves psychotherapy for the emotional pain, treatment for the addiction, and possible medication from a psychiatrist.
Ready to begin?
To make an appointment for addiction counseling, please call (703) 342-7482, text (703) 342-7482, or schedule online today.