Counseling for Addiction Problems
Wondering whether you or someone you know has a problem with alcohol or drugs? If you're wondering, chances are there could be a problem.
Here are the questions you may want to ask yourself:
- Has the person built tolerance to the substance? Does it take more and more to create the same effect?
- Does the person experience withdrawal if they don't use the substance? Do they become physically ill without it?
- Does the person use more of the substance than they had intended?
- Does the person want to cut down on using?
- Does the person spend a significant amount of time, money. and energy obtaining the substance?
- Are they giving up activities they used to engage in?
- Do they continue to use even though they know it's causing harm?
If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, it may be time to seek help. The good news is there is treatment and people with drug and alcohol problems get better every day.
Sometimes addictions to sex, gambling, or other activities arise. These are called "process addictions" and are treatable in much the same way that addictions to substances are. In counseling, we work toward understanding the underlying thoughts and feelings that lead to addictive behavior.