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Have you begun to experience setbacks in your work, relationships, or overall quality of life due to substance use?
Do you use alcohol or other drugs to escape or cope with difficult emotions?
Are you looking for support in limiting your use or cutting it from your life entirely?
Individuals often begin to recognize a problem with substances when they face negative consequences, though the severity and nature of these effects can vary greatly from person to person. For some, a few significant incidents might prompt a move toward sobriety, while others may need to experience their own version of “rock bottom” before acknowledging the need for change.
Importantly, “rock bottom” is a highly personal concept, differing greatly among individuals—each has a unique threshold of pain that drives them to seek help. This concept can be very tough for family and friends, especially since, tragically, some people only realize they need help after it’s too late and they’ve lost their lives.
Substance use and addiction can result in a range of physical, mental, emotional, and relational issues. Maybe you’ve experienced a decline in your mental health, whether you’ve developed mood swings, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, or a lack of motivation that makes it challenging to complete daily tasks. You may have begun to withdraw from your life, feeling so overwhelmed by the push and pull of your addiction that you can’t engage in the activities and relationships that were once a source of joy.
Beyond that, you are likely to notice the physical consequences of your use. Perhaps you’ve had changes in your appetite, sleep patterns, or physical appearance. Signs of withdrawal—like shaking, nausea, or reduced energy—have probably impacted your work performance and overall ability to function. And it’s possible you are experiencing a decline in your hygiene and physical health.
Finally, substance abuse and addiction have a way of casting a ripple effect on relationships. Maybe you use in secret, creating trust issues between your partner, family members, or friends, especially if you are engaging in highly risky or illegal behaviors. You may be neglecting your responsibilities as your personal and professional relationships suffer. Without trust and transparency, it’s difficult for you to maintain happy, healthy, and trusting connections.
My counseling approach focuses on resolving the root causes of addiction, emphasizing that true healing extends beyond surface-level coping strategies and recognizing that using drugs and/or alcohol is not a viable solution to matters of mental health and wellness. Through therapy, you can find a safe, supportive environment to explore the reasons behind your substance use or addiction as you develop essential skills for managing stress and trauma.
Throughout the globe, rising rates of stress, trauma, physical ailments, and mental health symptoms significantly increase the potential for alcohol and substance abuse. Factors like childhood trauma, family history of addiction, and exposure to substance use at home heighten the risk of developing a substance use disorder. Additionally, we live in a society that normalizes substance use. Between social norms and peer pressure, sobriety rarely has a place at celebrations and social events where drugs and alcohol are common. Plus, the media has a way of glamorizing use, while outdated educational programs like D.A.R.E. and Just Say No have failed to effectively address these issues.
People struggling with addiction often cling to secret hopes and beliefs, deeply and desperately wishing they can maintain their usage without facing negative consequences. Many justify their use as a means to enhance social interactions, relieve stress, improve sleep, or work more efficiently. They cling to the hope that they can control their consumption and avoid full-blown addiction by moderating their intake. Despite previous failures, they still try to manage their use by establishing rules like limiting frequency or quantity, restricting the time and place in which they permit use, attempting “safer” options like beer over liquor, and initiating systems wherein substance use is a “reward” for achieving a specific task or goal.
Though there have been previous unsuccessful attempts at reducing their use, the persistent belief that “this time will be different” often prevails. These hopes and rationalizations complicate their ability to recognize the need for help and to fully understand the impact of their addiction. This tangled web of denial and the intense desire for control hinder their ability to seek necessary help and fully acknowledge the reality of their addiction.
True recovery is driven by an individual’s own desire for change—not merely by pressure from family, legal troubles, or workplace issues. As a substance abuse counselor, I emphasize to my clients and their families that even the best treatment centers and therapists can only do so much if the person is not internally ready for change; real change must come from within. It’s also a myth that a client must be fully ready to quit before starting recovery. Some find their motivation during treatment once they begin to live substance-free and gain sober clarity. Let’s start your journey together as we discover new ways to access, understand, and authentically feel your emotions.
My top priority is to create a safe, supportive environment where you feel valued, listened to, and understood without judgment. I believe in maintaining a direct, honest approach throughout treatment for addiction and substance abuse. I don’t sugarcoat our discussions just to make you feel better. Expect me to challenge you and say things that might be tough to hear, while simultaneously having compassion and respecting your choices, whether I agree with them or not. I always meet my clients “where they are,” which is especially crucial in substance abuse counseling.
Some clients come in ready to be completely sober, while others are on the fence about whether they need to abstain completely or just ways to learn to control their use. I also offer a harm reduction approach that includes an in-depth exploration of your substance use history and also methods to help you attempt moderation. To build the internal motivation needed for sobriety, it’s often necessary to exhaust all self-regulation strategies before concluding that your use is unmanageable. I do want to note that I am not suggesting that people go all out with their use and put their lives in danger in order to hit rock bottom. I am just making the point that internal motivation is needed for lasting sobriety.
However, one of the main functions of addiction treatment will be to understand the core issues driving the urge to use. During our first session together, I will help you recognize your behaviors as an escape from your pain—not as a choice or sign of weakness—emphasizing that most everyone experiences trauma, and it is very much on a spectrum.
Through the use of Internal Family Systems (IFS), you will learn that even the addictive parts of you are actually trying in their own way to protect you from pain, even though they are frequently wreaking havoc on your system. IFS teaches you to befriend, validate, and get to know parts of yourself that you are typically rejecting and ashamed of.
As core issues are more deeply identified and explored, I will introduce essential coping strategies and ways to challenge distorted thinking patterns. I also use Hypnotherapy as a means for accessing and overcoming subconscious barriers keeping you stuck in the addictive cycle. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is another modality I incorporate which does wonders in reprocessing traumas and healing negative cognitions in the brain causing you to feel worthless or unlovable.
If you’re struggling with addiction and are overwhelmed by the journey ahead, know that healing and change are within reach. The thought of giving up drugs and alcohol might seem terrifyingly impossible, but I’ve yet to meet a single person who regretted choosing recovery.
Sobriety and recovery can bring a profound sense of freedom to your life, offering clarity and peace you may have never experienced before. Relationships improve, self-worth increases, and there’s immense relief in no longer having to live a life of dishonesty, self-pity, and shame. Instead, you lead a life that you are proud of. You will see how your story can benefit others. You’ll have newly gained ways to deal with difficult times. With each step forward, you build resilience. The journey is demanding but incredibly rewarding, bringing lasting fulfillment and meaning to your life.
As an experienced substance abuse counselor, I am a big believer in additional support groups and meetings as a way to reinforce essential skills. Such groups as 12-step programs, SMART Recovery, Dharma Recovery, and Recovery 2.0 offer invaluable community support, bringing together individuals who share similar experiences and challenges with alcohol and substance abuse. Regular meetings provide structure and routine, fostering consistency that helps maintain focus on sobriety and provides stability during challenging times.
My therapeutic approach is inclusive of many pathways to recovery, so I encourage clients to explore different types of meetings to discover what works best for them. For more information and links to these groups, please visit the resources page on my website.
It’s normal to feel hesitant about making big changes, especially concerning sobriety. I want to reiterate that change is a gradual process—it doesn’t happen overnight. In therapy, we’ll take a paced approach that respects your readiness, taking time to explore your feelings about quitting, your relationship with your addiction, and the changes you’re willing to consider.
Therapy is about starting where you are, moving at your pace, and shaping a path that matches your goals and values. I’m here to support you as you navigate these decisions.
Recovery is a journey with ups and downs, and relapses happen. It’s important to see these setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow, not failures. As your therapist, I’ll support you with empathy, helping you understand the causes of your relapse and improve your coping strategies. My aim in counseling is to build your resilience and equip you with skills to handle future challenges without resorting to substance abuse.
If you’re worried about how substance abuse or addictive behaviors are affecting your life, treatment through Lauren DeRossette Counseling can equip you with the insights and skills needed to begin your recovery. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact me.
