Addictions and Substance Use

“Addiction is not a choice that anybody makes; it’s not a moral failure. What it actually is: it’s a response to human suffering.” - Gabor Mate

Do you find yourself engaging in certain behaviours because they provide you with pleasure and relief even if just temporarily for a short time? Do you find yourself craving and engaging in this behaviour despite knowing that it has negative consequences for yourself and potentially loved ones around you?

Addiction is any behaviour that an individual engages in or pursues to find relief in the short-term, but suffers negative consequences and cannot give it up. This does not need to be just substances, but can also involve sex, gambling, eating, shopping, work, or relationships.

Addiction and substance use can be tough. Behind every choice, decision, behaviour, compulsion, craving, and urge lies a reason or motivation. For some, it brings down our walls and allows us to relax and be calm; it numbs us from our emotions and inner pain; it can make difficult things feel easier; it may feel like it temporarily fills a void; it helps to manage stress and pressures; it blocks out thoughts of inadequacy or not being good enough; feelings of belonging or fitting in; it elicits positive physical affects; it may feel like it helps with thoughts of being out of control; impact feelings of boredom; and it may just make it easier to be yourself. Although it is beneficial in the short-term, there are a lot of scary consequences of giving in to your impulses, urges, or behaviours.

Such behaviours and addictions do not need to be the only way to cope with these things. I believe that we do our best with what we have or know and so I believe that we can work together to better understand what is the driving force behind your impulses, urges, cravings, and behaviours, what triggers them, and tools to work through these. We can work towards developing more self-awareness and self-compassion as you learn to better understand yourself, what you need, and how the past is currently impacting your present. I offer a safe and compassionate space to explore the root cause of these difficulties. By reclaiming your story, you can reignite your sense of purpose and move forward. Please fill the form below to book a consultation today!

What to expect:

Consultation

You complete a consultation call. During this call we explore where you heard about us, what is bringing you in, discuss fees, check-in on appointment preferences. We discuss our approach and what that will look like. You ask any questions you have about therapy and the process.
Assessment

You will be sent several forms to complete including forms on demographics, informed consent, financial agreement, email and text agreements. You will get several forms to complete complete at your own pace. If you have any difficulties completing any of these forms, they can also be completed in session. These forms explore attachment, daily functioning and experiences, dissociation. These will be explored and discussed in the first few sessions.
First Session

We go over some items on the consent forms. Background information is gathered surrounding relationships, lifestyle, experiences, and childhood as well as exploring what brought you in and your goals. The forms provided are also explored and reviewed further to understand your personal experiences as best as possible. The process will be explained to you along with education surrounding trauma, dissociation, and attachment.
History

I spend a session or two exploring your history and completing a timeline with you to better understand both the positive events as well as upsetting, disturbing, or overwhelming memories. This can also be done independently if preferred. I will also explore triggers, symptoms, and other aspects impacting your day to day. A treatment plan will be created based on this information and discussed with you to ensure this correctly fits and addresses everything required.
Treatment

After the treatment plan has been explored, treatment would commence with what was discussed and agreed upon.

Clients are met where they are and sessions are paced at the client’s preference. Resources are provided to help assist between sessions and to help with day to day functioning. Resources can involve using therapies such as DBT, ACT, CBT, and parts work to help build skill sets and resources.

Clients work towards being ready and comfortable with processing past memories connected to the root of their symptoms.
Exploration and Adaptation

As processing completes, focus shifts on navigating changes and building a new life and navigating new relationships. Installing a positive belief in self and positive future, new skills built and developed reflecting new self concept, and processing potential anxiety surrounding the future.
Focus is on adapting to these new changes and new sense of self.
Taper Down / Termination

As you begin to notice the changes and functioning better in day to day. Once completed processing and starting to focus on navigation and exploration, we can begin to discuss tapering down with therapy and potential termination when feeling you are ready to graduate from therapy.