Addiction Counseling Denver
Finding It Hard To Fight Addiction On Your Own?
Do you feel like you constantly crave some form of release, especially when you’re stressed or burnt out? Is it easier for you to “let loose” and network after a few drinks? Have you experienced some form of trauma that you never really healed from, and the only way to quell the feelings when they become overwhelming is to drink or use?
Perhaps drinking alcohol and using drugs in excessive amounts has caused your relationships with your partner or family to suffer. Other people may be exhausted and frustrated, waiting for you to change. Maybe your addiction has made it hard for you to function normally at social events, causing you to become withdrawn and isolated. As a result, you might be wondering if you need extra support.
Addiction Is More Complex Than You May Think
You may be experiencing racing thoughts, restlessness, anxiety, and changes in your sleep patterns. Perhaps you’ve been experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, cravings, loss of appetite, headaches, and nausea.
Maybe you’ve lost interest in participating in social activities and hobbies you once enjoyed. Or perhaps you’ve been dealing with mood swings and feel ashamed, or hopeless, about your addiction.
You just want to feel good about yourself and your life again, without battling urges to drink or use. At Elevation Behavioral Therapy we want the same for you, too. Our gentle and compassionate therapists can help you manage your addiction well by guiding you toward regaining control of your life.
Addiction Can Happen To Anyone
Substance use disorders are extremely common. During COVID-19, while everyone was at home, substance use increased exponentially, as many people struggled to adjust to a scary new world. You are not alone in your fight to control addiction.
Many people believe that addiction only affects those who are from a certain socioeconomic background. But the truth is, addiction takes on many forms and affects people of all shapes and sizes, from all walks of life.
Society Normalizes Substance Use
In our culture, drinking is considered an integral part of parties, events, dinners, and get-togethers. It is a common belief for many that without being intoxicated, you can’t enjoy yourself. Moreover, there is a focus on drinking as part of certain professions, such as in sales or business roles, the law profession, and the service industry, amongst others. It is also common practice to binge drink in college and sometimes grad school programs, as well as during your 20s.
Colorado was one of the first two states in the U.S. to legalize marijuana. Its legalization has helped to normalize its use. People now perceive it as less harmful and associate it with its ability to alleviate pain, anxiety, or depression. While marijuana can provide these benefits, it can also become very emotionally addictive and can be detrimental if it becomes a way to regularly check out, and begin to impact functioning, as well as personal relationships.
Additionally, nicotine and vaping are becoming increasingly popular. Vape pens have increased the usage of nicotine. Vaping products are widely available and viewed as safer because they don’t produce tar or smoke. The wide range of flavors available also makes this even more appealing to young people.
Life can be demanding, and for many, the way to cope is to drink or use. However, seeking counseling for addiction helps identify healthy ways to cope, and provides the opportunity for a happier life.
Counseling Can Help Heal Your Addiction
It can be hard to talk about your history of substance abuse, but at Elevation Behavioral Therapy, we want you to know that your experiences are valid, and you don’t need to feel guilty or ashamed.
Our sessions provide clients with a safe place to be completely unfiltered when discussing substance use. You will be met with zero judgment and total acceptance. Our understanding therapists are dually licensed as addiction counselors, and have many years of experience in working with substance abuse.
Addiction Counseling- What To Expect
During sessions, you can expect to better understand the driving forces behind your drinking or use, and to learn why you have a hard time stopping or controlling intake amounts.
We’ll teach you how to handle triggers when they arise, including thinking about the people, places, and things involved in your substance use. These insights allow you to plan for and anticipate triggers, which ultimately greatly impact a person’s likelihood to drink or use. Along your addiction therapy journey, we’ll talk about what you would like your life to look like, and put tangible strategies into place, so you can achieve the life you’ve always wanted.
Addiction Counseling Approaches
While some of our clients would like to become fully sober, others would like to learn how to reduce their drinking/use, and better manage it. We are very experienced in working with clients striving towards a sober life, as well as implementing a harm reduction approach, where we actively work on reducing your drinking use. We’re also very supportive and understanding if you’re not sure yet that your substance use is a problem. If you’d simply like an outlet to learn more and process what you’ve been going through, we would be happy to offer that.
The treatment methods we use for alcohol and drug addiction include:
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
Motivational Interviewing which is instrumental in developing your own motivation to change, rather than being coerced into treatment. By exploring feelings of doubt or fear, your therapist can help you resolve conflicting thoughts and emotions. During therapy, you can become more invested in the process of recovery, and confident in your ability to make positive changes in your life.
MI also involves asking thoughtful questions to motivate change within you. We believe you already have the answers you are looking for, and we are your guides, providing support as you develop greater self-awareness. With MI, we set goals and develop a plan for change that is tailored to your specific needs.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT is helpful for distress tolerance, emotion regulation, mindfulness, and relapse prevention. You will learn techniques like identifying and labeling emotions, challenging thoughts and beliefs that contribute to negative emotions, and changing the way you respond to emotional triggers.
Self-soothing and distraction techniques are also integral parts of DBT. You might benefit from listening to calming music, practicing deep breathing exercises, guided meditations, and other relaxation skills for combating addiction triggers.
Additionally, we often use a container exercise from a type of therapy called EMDR, where your therapist helps you create a mental container to store overwhelming thoughts, feelings, and sensations that may arise in your life. We will help you imagine yourself placing any distressing experiences or emotions that may fuel your addiction into the container, and closing the lid to hold them in.
We also encourage community support. Building a supportive community is vital for those working on their addiction. While we recognize 12 step programs are not for everyone, some of our clients find tremendous benefits from programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). These programs involve group meetings where individuals share their experiences and support each other in recovery. Whether you would like to get involved in a 12-step program or not, we are fully supportive of your decision. If you’d like, we can help you explore the possibility of joining a recovery program, or help you find less structured community support for your recovery.
No matter the method used, our ultimate goal in addiction counseling is to drastically improve your physical and emotional well-being, so that drinking or using is not controlling your life.
You May Be Considering Addiction Counseling But Have Concerns…
We Can Help You Live The Life You’ve Always Dreamed Of
Whether addiction is interfering with your relationships, health, or happiness, counseling with Elevation Behavioral Therapy can help you live a life where YOU are in control.
Addiction does not have to consume your life. To get the support you need, schedule a free initial consultation or first appointment using our online booking link below. Or if you’d like to address further questions or concerns, please email us at support@elevationbehavioraltherapy.com or call or text us at (720) 295-6566.
A brighter future is on the horizon.
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