Have you been trying to fend for yourself for a while, but are having a hard time? Are the people around you expressing concern? Are things starting to feel overwhelming and you feel like no matter what you do, you can't seem to juggle it all anymore? Regularly taking alcohol and other drugs to feel better or cope with stress can eventually affect our ability to make good decisions due to changes in brain chemistry. Becoming overly dependent on these substances can cause us to have a harmful relationship with them to numb us, excite us, escape pain. So what initially starts out as a perceived solution ends up becoming less and less of a solution over time. Too often, despite knowing it, people are riddled with shame and embarrassment and therefore do not ask for help. It's normal, no one wants to admit they can't solve a problem on their own. The treatment of more serious addictive or substance use disorders begins with a period of detoxification, which sometimes even requires medical supervision, as with alcohol and opiates, due to the strong physiological dependence that can occur and lead to significant and potentially harmful withdrawal symptoms. Other substances, such as cannabis and cocaine, are thought to cause more psychological dependence, although chronic users often experience significant withdrawal symptoms such as severe anxiety. After an initial period of abstinence, people must then learn to get by without the substance of their choice - no more false optimums. It takes perseverance and hard work to address the causes of excessive use of one or more substances. For the most part, the past tries to drag them back to old patterns.

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Becoming too independent after feeling a little better is normal. To achieve longer-term abstinence, so-called "lone wolves" must learn to be vulnerable in front of others and, God forbid, even become more comfortable relying on help and strength of others. Especially in the early days of recovery. But with continued sobriety and hard work, come great rewards. Renewed self-esteem, friendships, the resolution of conflicts and legal issues, even the recovery of your family. Not to mention your sense of integrity. It's all worth it in the end. When working with people facing these challenges, we begin by performing a thorough individualized assessment in the first session and then make treatment recommendations on possible options based on level of need and personal preference. We can say without hesitation that after many years of experience, we've learned what works. Therapy is hard work, there's no doubt about it, and it requires a willingness to do whatever it takes instead of being complacent, making excuses, and blaming others. As your mental health consultant, our job is to make recommendations after gaining a solid understanding of your situation, but what you decide to do is of course always up to you. If you're ready to get help and work on your life, email us at support@rechuteprevention.com. We look forward to working with you.