Counseling Specialties

Addictions

Addiction can best be described as any pathological relationship to a substance or activity that causes severe life damaging consequences.

An individual is recognized to have an addiction when the following four components are evident:

• Receiving pleasure from a substance or activity
• A feeling of loss of control
• Denial of the severity of the problem.
• Compulsion to use or engage in an activity

According to recent research the brain does not differentiate between alcohol, drugs, food, sex, or gambling. It all centralizes to the same pleasure receiving area of the brain. Treatment for addiction includes cognitive-behavioral therapy to change thinking patterns and develop new solutions to the addictive behaviors. In addition, most professionals would include the utilization of a 12 step recovery program. It is important to note that some individuals may need medical treatment including detox and or medications.