Substance Abuse/Addiction
More often than not, alcohol and drug addictions start with experimental use in social situations. And for some people, alcohol or drug use becomes frequent or routine. As time passes, a person may feel the need to use their substance of choice to cope with all manner of life stressors, and more of a drug becomes needed to get the desired high. Soon a person may need their drug of choice simply to feel "okay."
Substance abuse or addiction symptoms and behaviors may include:
- Feeling the need to use your substance of choice regularly, which can be daily or multiple times a day
- Having intense urges for alcohol or drugs
- Over time, needing more of the alcohol or drug to get the same effect
- Being certain that you maintain a supply of your substance of choice
- Organizing and choosing daily activities around the ability to use or conflict with using
- Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities
- Doing things you wouldn’t normally do to get the drug, such as stealing
- Focusing more and more time and energy on getting and using alcohol or drugs
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using alcohol or drugs
- Continued use of drugs or alcohol despite direct and repeated consequences resulting from use
- Failed attempts to quit using alcohol or drugs
If you can relate to any of the above symptoms or behaviors, it may be time to consider substance abuse counseling.
As a licensed addiction counselor, I understand that there is often a lot to unpack when it comes to how a person can find themselves stuck in the whole of addiction. I believe that there are many paths to successful recovery. I will work with your goals and desires to help ensure you can make the life changes you want to make.
Contact me today for a free consultation.