The first step of any healing process is admitting that you have a problem. Denial is such a large part of addiction, and breaking through self-deception can be very difficult and challenging. Many individuals with an addiction generally have to reach a bottom before they will accept the fact that their drug use is even a problem. Knowing you have a problem and accepting it are two very different things. Accepting that your drug and alcohol use is a problem means admitting to yourself and to others that continuing to use is detrimental and harmful to your health, your safety and to your relationship with yourself and with others.

You may think you are not worthy of being sober and drug free or of living a normal life, but everyone has the right to live a healthy life without drugs or alcohol. Even if there are other barriers to the life you want, becoming sober makes every aspect of your life easier. Addiction treatment can help you uncover your full potential and get you back on your path heading you in the right direction.

If your drug and alcohol use is creating problems for you at home, in your relationships or in your professional life, it may be time to consider getting help. There is no shame in reaching out and asking for help. While it seems like a lot to give up, you will gain so much more with a balanced, healthier life. If you would like to talk to someone about your drug or alcohol use, or learn about other options for treatment you are invited to call and set up a confidential appointment today.

“The future is not a slave of the past events in a person’s life; therefore, in spite of past traumatic events, a person can negotiate and implement many useful steps that are likely to lead him/her to a more satisfying life (Wormer & Davis, P.106).

Debbie will work with you and help you to explore and understand your addiction in more depth for the purpose of expanding your awareness and empowering you to take the next right steps along your healing journey. Debbie’s goal is to support you in becoming the best version of yourself. To be effective with meeting this goal Debbie will use a variety of therapeutic techniques/strategies to help assist you in regaining control and mastery of your own life. Before this is possible the client has some responsibilities to honor if treatment is going to be successful.

The client’s responsibilities are:
• Show up for his or her self
• Be willing
• Be open-minded
• Be teachable
• Be curious about the change process

The therapeutic approaches used by Debbie consist of motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, solution-focused and EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing). Motivational interviewing is a counseling approach that helps individuals resolve their ambivalence about engaging in treatment and stopping their drug use. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps the client learn to identify and correct problematic behaviors by applying a range of different skills that can be used to stop drug abuse and to address a range of other problems that often co-occur with it. Solution focused (Brief) therapy is a therapy based on the assumption that the future can be changed and even negotiated regardless of the problem. This form of therapy is focused around client strengths and positive change. The EMDR process is a form of therapy that helps the client to process trauma.

Change takes time, but a person with an addiction CAN recover! They can rebuild their lives and have positive relationships with themselves and with their loved ones. They can earn the trust and respect of others again. They can begin to feel real affection, love and forgiveness for themselves and for others. They can regain a new level of personal honesty and self-empowerment. Counselling gives quality of life back to the individual so they can live a happier and more fulfilling life; a life full of joy and love for what they have and what they can accomplish moving forward.

Of course, the ultimate outcome is a happier, healthier you!