An addiction is a chronic disorder that is both complex and challenging, affects the mind, body, and spirit, and becomes detrimental to one's everyday life. Compulsive behaviors and addictions can feel fun and pleasurable and temporarily provide confidence, control, validation, or other emotions lacking in one’s life, but the behavior may not stop until the root of the problem is addressed.
Addiction changes the brain through the limbic system, also known as the "brain reward system." This part of the brain is responsible for producing feelings of pleasure and will manifest thoughts such as "I deserve this" or "Let’s do that again." The abuse of addictive substances and behaviors triggers this system, which can prolong a continuous cycle of destructive behavior.
Common addictions include, but are not limited to:
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Gambling
- Internet
- Shopping
- Food
Seek Professional Assistance
People who have developed an addiction may be unaware that it is out of control, which is why counseling is an essential part of working through and managing this condition. An addiction of any sort can be exhausting, and one should never go through the recovery process alone. I am not an "addiction counselor," but I am a psychotherapist and can explore with you your motivation toward getting help in addition to individual therapy, perhaps either through a 12-step program or through the SMART Recovery program.
Many treatment plans focus on talk therapy and behavior therapy, which can be performed in a group or through one-on-one sessions. During these sessions, patients analyze the reasons behind their addiction(s), what triggers are, and what helped them control impulses in the past. Patients also learn coping skills so they can manage the compulsions without relapsing. Some of my clients have tailored their treatment plan to include individual psychotherapy with me in addition to attending a separate recovery program. We could discuss this more after we consult.
Book a consultation today for Addiction And Recovery with Eric Reyes, LCSW. Call (442) 401-5742 or book a consultation online.