Drug Addiction Counseling in Dallas, Texas

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Drug Addiction

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Recovering from drug addiction is a difficult process. There’s no single “right” way to do it. Some believe you’ve recovered after a certain number of years of sobriety. Others believe you never truly “recover” and view staying sober as a lifelong process. What recovery looks like also varies from person to person, with some preferring support groups and others preferring formal treatment. Common to all these ways of treating drug addiction is the importance of getting to its root causes. The key to staying sober is knowing why you used in the first place, and that’s why therapy for drug addiction is so beneficial.

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Drug addiction is also known as chemical dependency and substance abuse. It refers to being addicted to any type of mind-altering chemical, legal or illegal.  A few examples of drugs to which a person can become addicted are:

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• Marijuana

• Cocaine

• Prescription medications like Xanax or Hydrocodone

• Heroin

• Meth

• LSD or other hallucinogens like magic mushrooms or PCP

• Alcohol

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Drug addiction is extremely common. In recent years, opioid abuse has become an epidemic. There are several reasons why one person may be able to use drugs occasionally while another becomes addicted. Addiction seems to run in families, so at least some of it is up to chance. Other risk factors include mental health issues, a deep desire to fit in or be accepted, growing up around drugs, and trauma.

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Counseling for Drug Addiction & Substance Abuse

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Therapy is helpful for the wide variety of mental health issues which can lead to drug addiction. For example, many people begin taking prescription pain relievers for anxiety, only to become addicted. Through individual therapy, someone struggling with drug addiction can learn healthier ways to manage anxiety that don’t involve substances. Other mental health issues that increase chances of drug use are depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

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Trauma frequently contributes to drug addiction as well. Events like abuse, neglect, domestic violence, natural disaster, or a car accident are all forms of trauma. It leaves a lasting psychological impact that’s difficult to heal from. People don’t always think about trauma as a catalyst for drug addiction, which may be because it doesn’t always lead to PTSD. However, even if the trauma occurred long ago, triggers can still cause stress, flashbacks, or a shutting down response. If you have these severe reactions often, you may have post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is extremely difficult to live with, and people often cope with it by using drugs.

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Trauma can also change how someone views themselves, especially if it happens in childhood. Being abused may result in low self-esteem, poor body image, and low sense of worth. Many people who recover from drug addiction say they didn’t feel they were worthy of anything except a life of addiction. Others say their drug of choice made them finally feel good about themselves.

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Dallas Substance Abuse Counselor

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I understand your addiction and/or recovery has taken you through difficult, painful times. As part of my counseling for drug addiction at Therapy With Abby, I aim to treat the underlying causes of your addiction and helping you stay sober after you’ve achieved it. I want to help you process the trauma you experienced before and during your addiction so you can heal. I don’t treat substance abuse on its own, or those who are in active addiction. Rather, I help clients maintain sobriety after they’ve achieved it.

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Before we can treat your underlying causes for drug addiction, we need to clearly identify them. After a thorough assessment, we’ll build a treatment plan designed to help you heal and cope better with your risk factors. Therapy with me is always individualized, with goals re-assessed often. Depending on your diagnosis, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing may be very effective in helping you stay sober from drugs.

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If you need a referral for more formal treatment—such as inpatient rehab or an intensive outpatient program—I can make them. I can also help connect you with 12-step groups like Narcotics Anonymous, which can be a great resource in addition to therapy. I’m always eager to learn about what has helped you, so if you have an idea for a healthy sober support, we can incorporate that into your treatment plan, too.

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Speak With a Therapist Today

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If it sounds like drug addiction counseling with me is right for you, give me a call today! I’m happy to talk to you about what your treatment might look like and any answers questions you have.  I began my counseling practice here in Dallas, Texas to help my own community heal and thrive. I look forward to helping you on your journey of healing.