Substance Abuse Specialist

What is a substance abuse disorder?

Substance abuse disorder, sometimes called addiction, is a mental health condition that causes persistent, uncontrollable urges to use drugs or alcohol, even when there are negative consequences. 

No one starts to use drugs or alcohol with the intention of becoming addicted. The most common reasons people use drugs or alcohol are:

• To feel good
• To reduce stress
• To improve performance
• To see what it’s like

However, some people have irregularities in the region of their brain that controls decision making, judgment, and impulsiveness, which increases their risk of becoming dependant on or addicted to a substance. Furthermore, misusing drugs or alcohol can make those differences stronger and affect your brain in other ways. 

What are the warning signs of substance abuse?

If you have a substance abuse disorder, chances are your family or friends will notice the warning signs before you. Some of the common warning signs of substance abuse include:

• Feeling like you need to use the drug frequently 
• Urges to use the drug that block other thoughts
• Developing a tolerance to the drug
• Using more of the drug than you intended
• Spending money you can’t afford on the drug
• Doing things you wouldn’t normally do to access the drug
• Continuing to use the drug despite negative consequences
• Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
• Having withdrawal symptoms

Your performance at work or school might decrease. Substance abuse can also lead to health problems, neglected personal appearance, and behavioral changes.

How can a therapist help me with substance abuse?

The team at Southlake Counseling offers highly personalized, compassionate support to help you recover from your substance abuse disorder. Every member of the team has first-hand experience in facing challenges and coming through adversity. 

They offer individual and group therapy to ensure that you’re always surrounded by others who understand what you’re going through and celebrate your successes as you work toward recovery. The team often uses dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to help you change the way you think and feel about yourself and others so you can develop strategies to make healthier choices. 

The team at Southlake Counseling also uses family-based approaches whenever appropriate. When one member of the family has an addiction, it affects the whole family. You can work together to strengthen your connections and repair your relationship with your family. 

If you’re struggling with substance abuse, call Southlake Counseling or make an appointment online today for personalized support.