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Putting Substance Abuse and Addiction Behind You
Substance abuse and addiction are problems that always seem innocuous at first – just letting off a little stress – but quickly the tendrils spread until they are affecting every aspect of your life.
As the addiction takes hold, physical symptoms start creeping in like high blood pressure, reduced immune function, and liver damage, and from a psychological perspective you’re usually looking at compromised decision making or even psychosis!
While a medical approach can assist you with a physical detox, this is only targeting the symptoms, and many will return to their addictions if the root causes are not addressed and the sufferer is not given tools to help them resist the temptation.
At Craig Smardan Therapy, we can help, as we know these things and take a holistic approach, treating the whole individual rather than breaking the problem up into its mere symptoms.
The Numbers Don't lie -
You're Not Alone in This
In 2022, the United States Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that an estimated 46.8 million Americans aged 12 and up were battling a drug addiction within the last year. It makes sense when you think about it – The pharmaceutical and recreational street drugs of today are dangerously potent, even though the former are often prescribed for ailments where they might be considered overkill.
It often creates a vicious feedback loop – Drugs and alcohol trigger a ‘reward’ feeling in the brain that is unmatched by what the person has felt before, at the same time that it is lowering inhibitions and leading the user to poor decisions.
When the guilt and shame inevitably come in the next day, the resulting anxiety can drive the user right back to the source of the problem, and without a plan of battle to fight this cycle it can be repeated over and over until the body starts reaching its limits.
The good news is that you are not alone in this – Craig Smardan can help – and a rigorous outpatient therapy can help you to learn ways to cope when you are feeling the urge to use. This will give you a way to fight while we get to the roots of the problem together to help you take back control of your life.
Focusing on the Root Cause and Not Just the Symptoms
There are a number of reasons why people start using drugs, but it’s usually not as simple as you might think. For instance, here are the most common reasons that people start:
- Experimentation/curiosity
- Peer pressure
- Chronic pain
- Untreated mental health issues
- Genetics/History of addiction in the family
- Introduction by prescription treatment
The flood of euphoria and relief is what gets people hooked, but often it boils down to the drugs becoming a ‘blanket solution’ for a collection of the aspects of life where we’re profoundly unhappy and dissatisfied.
By taking a holistic approach and utilizing techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, Craig Smardan can help you to learn what’s at the bottom of this well that you cannot seem to fill. Addiction can be defeated with the right tools and a better understanding of the self. The first step is accepting that you have a substance abuse or addiction problem and that you want to take back control of your life.
Your Journey to Healing Can Begin Today
At Craig Smardan Therapy, we have extensive experience in helping sufferers of addiction and substance abuse to fight their addictions so that they can start looking forward to a life where these troubles are long behind them.
It’s not an easy journey, but we’ll be helping you every step of the way. The holistic approach we’ll be using is, in effect, tailoring your treatment to you as an individual and the success stories all point to the same thing – This WORKS.
By focusing on you, and not your symptoms, we can find the way forward so that you leave your addiction in the dust – where it belongs.
FAQ
What is the first step of overcoming an addiction?
While treatments may vary, the first step of overcoming an addiction is always the same – admitting to ourselves that we have a problem. It sounds simple, but the mind is not a simple thing, and the hard truth is that it sometimes takes tragedy to get us to realize that we’re not in control at all.
Once you’ve accepted that there is a problem, then you’ve taken the first step to overcoming your addiction and the healing journey is ready to begin.
What is addiction treatment really like?
In treating addiction, therapy will usually look something like this. The first part will be helping you achieve abstinence and stick with it, and next you’ll need to learn strategies that can help you overcome the inevitable cravings.
After that, there is a heavy focus on coping skills for the underlying issues driving you to the substances and you’ll be reinforcing your sobriety by building a support network. Throughout the process, the most important part is going to be using therapy to treat the root problems that have been sabotaging your efforts to escape addiction.
By attacking the problem as a whole, your addiction will start losing its power, and you’ll have the clarity of thought and the force of your resolve that it takes to beat your addiction altogether.
Why should I choose Craig Smardan Therapy to help deal with my substance abuse or addiction treatment?
At Craig Smardan Therapy, you’re not a number, nor will you be given a ‘one size fits all therapy’. We take a holistically-minded approach in your treatment, getting to know you as a person so that we can help you with treatments tailored precisely for you.
Your journey towards escaping your addiction can begin today. If you know that you have a problem, simply give us a call. Craig Smardan can help!