Just considering treatment is a first step.

 

You may be thinking: "I don't know that I can do this..."

You may be feeling: "It's not that bad..."

You may be wishing: "Other people don't lose control...why can't I be like them?"

You may be hoping: "Perhaps if I make some changes, my life will be better..."

Or...you may be beyond thinking, feeling, wishing...and even beyond hoping.

Taking the first step--admitting that you may need help--is often the most difficult one. If you have been in recovery in the past, and have since relapsed, you may be even more frightened...and ashamed.

First, let's talk about some facts.

 

  • Fact: Not everyone who abuses substances or engages in risky behaviors is an addict. There are levels to substance abuse, and not all abusers become addicts. However, it is also true that even non-addictive substance abuse increases your likelihood of getting into serious trouble. Alcohol and drug abuse are harmful in many ways, and you do not have to be an addict to suffer these consequences.

 

  • Fact: Not all addicts are alike, and not all addictions are the same. Some drugs, like alcohol and cocaine, affect the entire brain and most of the body. Other drugs, like nicotine, cause relatively little immediate harm. (On the other hand, smoking kills over 6 times the number of people per year compared with alcohol.) As for treatment, contemporary research strongly indicates that confrontation is less effective than therapy approaches that are collaborative and help motivate the client to change. In fact, confrontation and coercive forms of treatment can potentially harm the client, and there is some research that suggests that even if confrontation and coercion initially "work," the likelihood of relapse is greater than with nonconfrontational approaches.

     

    Not all treatments work with all abusers/addicts; in general, there is no one method that is significantly better than others. Some people do best with a 12-step approach, others do equally well with a cognitive-behavioral approach, still others will do better with an approach called "motivational enhancement" while others are more likely to be helped by marital or family therapy. The amount of skills and social supports the client has are very important for recovery.

     

    Also, some people (especially alcoholics) have underlying depression, and treating the depression (with therapy and medication) significantly improves the chances of success. Many people with sexual compulsions (and other addicts as well) have histories of unresolved early trauma; once these issues are treated, the compulsions often decrease. About the only universal truths seem to be that (1) the longer you are in treatment, the better your chances of remaining drug-free, and (2) relapse prevention is a must. In general, intermittent (periodic) brief therapy over a period of a year or more is about as effective as ongoing therapy over the same period of time.

 

  • Fact: Relapse is extremely common. Over 50% of alcoholics, and over 90% of nicotine addicts (smokers), will eventually relapse. Current researchers agree that it is most realistic to expect difficult times (including "slips" and even full relapse), and that early intervention during slips and relapses ("relapse reduction") is of immense benefit to the client and to the client's family. If you have suffered a relapse, welcome to the human race! There is nothing to be ashamed of! Slips and relapses can often provide unparalleled opportunities for learning and growth.

 

  • Fact: Sometimes "harm reduction" is the way to go. There are some people who find that they can not completely let go of their addictions. There can be many reasons for this, but it is important to realize that not becoming completely chemical free (or free of a compulsive behavior) does not mean you are a "failure." While getting completely clean is still the best option, there are strategies and interventions available that can significantly reduce the harm that often results with substance abuse and addiction.

     

    Some researchers have found that a significant proportion of those who reduce addictive behaviors eventually make the choice to abstain from them altogether.

 

  • Fact: Successful recovery is more about your strengths than your "weaknesses." Current research indicates that a client's strengths and social supports, and not how "bad" the addiction is, usually predicts the level of success in overcoming an addictive behavior. You may know people who have recovered from powerful addictions while others, with relatively "mild" substance abuse problems, seem stuck in the mud. Research has repeatedly demonstrated that the traditional addiction treatment approach of "confront till you bleed and then go to a meeting" is inferior to a more humanistic approach that focuses on: building social skills; dealing with shame, hurt and anger; encouraging achievement; solidifying relationships; and developing mastery.

 

When we work with substance abuse and addiction, we begin with a thorough evaluation and history. Our goal is to assess your strengths as well as your problems, and to then discover how you can use those strengths to assist in your recovery. Typically, we then ask for a clear commitment to working together. Recovery from addictive behaviors can be periodically frustrating and frightening (especially when there is underlying trauma, which we find to be true in from 50% to 80% of our clients). Sticking with treatment when "the going gets tough" is one of the surest indicators that you will eventually break through to recovery.

In general, our work tends to be "12 Step-informed," which means that although a 12 Step program may not be for everyone, we do find that the wisdom inherent in the 12 Steps can be used by anyone (including people not suffering from addictions), even those who are not involved in one of the Anonymous programs. Experience and research has taught us that not everyone in a 12 Step program recovers, and not everyone who recovers does it through "the program." However, meetings can provide support and understanding, and the recovery community can provide ongoing, round-the-clock guidance and encouragement that is difficult to find anywhere else.

Our approach to psychotherapy in general, and with addictions in particular, places an emphasis on personal growth and development, including spiritual growth. (Our definition of "spiritual" is a broad and humanistic one.) We strongly believe that there are many paths to spiritual growth, and we strongly encourage clients to do whatever is necessary to achieve some sense of their spiritual "center." For som, this may include involvement with organized religion; for others, it may involve breaking away from organized religion. Some clients may choose to seek a personal relationship with God or some other "higher power(s);" others find spirituality in nature, or in a strong sense of "belonging" to the universe; still others find their serenity in an eclectic humanism. We find that the essence of what we call "spirituality" usually involves valuing one's own and others' freedom, a sense of belonging to a "whole" that is greater than the individual, the discovery or creation of some kind of constructive community, belief in personal and social growth and healing, and a commitment to service to others. Discovering your spiritual Self usually helps counteract the unhealthy self-centeredness of addictive behaviors. We are also aware that some supposedly "spiritual" paths can ultimately lead to self-destruction (e.g., involvement with cultic movements). Because of our work with destructive cults, you may find us somewhat unique in our cautiousness when a spiritual path appears to lead to increased guilt, increased shame, and decreased independence.

We employ a full range of therapeutic strategies when working with addictive behaviors. In addition to traditional supportive counseling, we use (as appropriate) cognitive-behavioral therapy, clinical hypnosis and EMDR. For some clients, medication may be appropriate, and we work closely with a number of psychiatrists who are experienced with helping people who have addictions. One of our major treatment goals is helping you to discover what "triggers" your desire to engage in addictive behaviors. We then work with you to determine how you can change or avoid those triggers, and whenever possible decrease their emotional and spiritual impact. We do not, however, encourage or support complete "detachment" from loved ones or current family members. It has been our experience that those therapists and counselors who demand breaking off all contact with family members often create an unhealthy dependency on themselves. Therapies that demand "detachment" and other forms of coerced breaking off of contacts have been found by courts and licensing boards to be abusive. No family is perfect, and although some of the families of addicted clients may be highly dysfunctional, breaking all contact more often compounds rather than alleviates the client's problems. Instead, we encourage clients to experiment and be creative in arriving at solutions for dealing with their triggers, especially when those triggers involve the behaviors of family members and loved ones.

Finally, in developing your treatment plan, a number of complementary therapies may be recommended. Our extended professional network includes massage therapists, nutritional consultants, art therapists, as well as select physicians trained in both allopathic (traditional) and naturapathic/homeopathic medicine. Some clients derive great benefit and renewed respect for their bodies and minds from this holistic approach.

Click here for information about sexual compulsivity ("sex and love addiction").

Click here for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) treatment research page.

Back to Specialized Services Page