Addiction Treatment & Counseling

Addiction is a dependence on a particular substance or behavior that is uncontrollable and extremely difficult to quit, even though the addicted individual may have every intent to. Over time, an addiction can pose serious threats to an individual’s mental and physical well-being. Engagement with the addictive behavior or substance can interfere with and negatively impact an individual’s relationships, work performance, and social life, and even lead to legal problems.

There are many substances and behaviors one can become addicted to. Some of the most common ones include:

• Alcohol
• Drugs
• Sex
• Pornography
• Caffeine

Addiction results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. If an individual is surrounded by others who are addicted to a certain behavior or substance, they are at a higher risk of becoming addicted as well. Some addictive substances alter brain chemistry, changing the mechanism through which the brain experiences pleasure and causing the addicted individual to increasingly crave the substance. This is known as a physical addiction and commonly occurs with substances such as alcohol and opioids.

The following indicate signs of addiction:

• Excessive and frequent need to use a substance
• Denial about substance use (to friends, family, and doctors)
• Loss of behavioral control and altered speech patterns
• Engaging in high-risk behaviors
• Significant weight loss or change in diet
• Suffering from withdrawal when attempting to stop using the substance

Our drug counseling services are aimed at helping each patient complete their opioid addiction treatment plan and resist relapse in the future. We offer either individual counseling or group therapy with a licensed substance abuse counselor. Individual sessions allow a patient to work closely with a licensed counselor, determine the root cause of their addiction, and develop personalized coping mechanisms. During group therapy, a licensed counselor coaches several patients who are struggling with opioid addiction in a safe space, where each individual can share their struggles and find strength with others who are experiencing similar issues.

Opioid addiction is an uncontrollable need to use a class of drugs containing opiates. Commonly abused opiates include drugs like Heroin, Morphine or Codeine, which are naturally derived from Asian poppies, or synthetically produced prescription painkillers such as Fentanyl, Demerol, Hydrocodone and Oxycodone. Opioids are highly addictive because they activate the brain’s mechanism for releasing endorphins, which are neurotransmitters that diminish the perception of pain and increase feelings of pleasure. Opioid addiction is a compulsion driven by the irresistible physical and psychological need to feel the high that opioids produce. The withdrawal symptoms that occur once an individual tries to stop taking these drugs makes quitting especially difficult.

An individual may be prescribed opioid-based medications to relieve pain after sustaining a serious injury or undergoing surgery. When used over time, individuals will build up a tolerance to these drugs and the opioids will trigger a weaker effect compared to the initial strong feelings of pleasure that they experienced when first taking the painkiller. Tolerance to opioids causes the brain to release fewer endorphins, which can drive an individual to take a higher dosage in order to experience the same feeling of pleasure.

While there are certain risk factors that can make it more likely that an individual will become addicted to opioids, the reality is that anyone who uses these drugs, even for a short period of time, can become addicted.

Common risk factors include:

• Taking a higher dosage of opioid medication than prescribed
• Taking opioids more frequently than prescribed
• Using opioids for an extended period of time
• Using alternative, rapid-delivery methods of ingestion, such as by crushing the pill up and snorting it
• Genetics
• Environmental factors (such as poverty, unemployment, history of legal problems, etc.)
• Psychological factors (such as suffering from a mental disorder)

Common signs of opioid addiction include:

• Inability to control opioid intake despite negative effects its use may be having on an individual’s personal life
• Uncontrollable cravings for the substance
• Sweating
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Shallow breathing
• Small pupils
• Slurred speech
• Pain sensitivity
• Decreased sex drive

Each patient’s road to recovery can different, and our licensed counselors can help you start and finish yours. Alcohol treatment typically includes counseling, and we offer both group therapy and individual counseling options.

Individual sessions allow a patient to form a close, one-on-one relationship with a licensed counselor, who helps them confront and manage the internal and external factors that are causing their addiction. During group alcohol therapy, a licensed counselor coaches a group of patients struggling with addiction. This support-system setting helps individuals complete their recovery and resist the temptation to relapse.

Vivitrol is a medication used in alcohol withdrawal treatment to help patients resist relapse by diminishing their urge to consume alcohol. The BRIDGE device for detox is an alternative alcohol treatment option used to mitigate withdrawal pain during detoxification. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is another alternative addiction treatment that has proven successful in helping patients overcome addiction.

Alcohol addiction is the uncontrollable urge to consume alcohol regularly due to a physical and emotional dependence. An individual suffering from alcohol dependency is unable to resist drinking alcohol and will experience withdrawal symptoms as soon as they try to quit. Their alcohol usage will often negatively impact important aspects of their daily life, such as work, relationships, and social activity, and can lead to health issues, such as liver damage, over time.

There is no single cause for alcohol addiction but rather several factors that can put an individual at risk. However, being at a high risk does not necessarily mean an individual will become addicted to alcohol, and even those with lower risk factors may develop a dependency. There are often a combination of risk factors that contribute to alcohol addiction, but these factors vary among individuals, making it extremely difficult to predict and pinpoint the exact causes.

Risk factors include:

• Genetics
• Personality
• Drinking history
• Psychological conditions
• Environment
• Social and cultural norms
• Personal choice
• Family
• Religion
• Age
• Job status
• Education

Common signs of alcohol addiction include:

• Repeated and regular alcohol consumption
• Disregard for legal or health issues that result from alcohol consumption
• Routinely beginning the day with a drink
• Feelings of guilt associated with drinking
• Inability to cut down on alcohol usage even though an individual has the desire to stop drinking