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Addictions and Substance Abuse

Addictions of any kind rob a person of the ability to live life fully.

Whether it's substance abuse (alcoholism, drug addiction, or compulsive eating) or behavioral in nature (sex addictions, self injury, etc…) what happens, simply put, is that an addict ends up spending so much of their time and energy focused on the desired substance or behavior that there is little time left for anything or anyone else.

Addictions can be as painful for family members as they are for the addict (see the Codependency page).

I don't focus on the label. In my therapy practice I focus on working with my clients to help them understand the depth and nature of their relationship to the substance or behavior. This is the psychology of their addiction. Gaining this understanding can help to make small behavior changes possible, and these behavior changes are what ultimately allows someone to gain freedom from destructive patterns.

I have studied and worked with addictions and the families struggling with them since the early eighties. During that time I have assisted countless people in breaking the bonds of addiction and learning to live healthier, more complete lives.