Addiction Therapy
Addiction might have you feeling stuck.
You may have had the thought “Why do I keep doing this to myself?” Or, “no matter how hard I try, nothing works.” These thought patterns are all too common with addiction, regardless of whether the type of addiction you are struggling with is alcohol, marijuana, gambling, pornography or another substance or behavior. Our Bingham Farms office is conveniently located for Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, and Southfield. In-person and virtual appointments are available; ask about your therapist’s current options.
Understanding addiction and coping
The good news is that addiction can be understood as a complex concern involving brain function and behavior. The problem very frequently is not the behavior itself, but the frequency of the behavior and how the behavior does more overall harm than good over an extended period of time.
Let’s take a look at Jim as an example. Jim recently lost his house and family due to placing a large bet which he lost. It wasn’t always like this for Jim though. Jim’s first win came at the blackjack table when he turned 18. That first big win felt good to Jim and made him feel that he was special and smart for one of the first times in his life.
What happened next to Jim was called “the chase.” Jim chased that feel good feeling of worth and intelligence. Unfortunately for Jim, the cards were stacked against him from early on and way before he played his first hand of blackjack.
It didn’t have to be like this for Jim and it’s not too late for you.
Jim’s difficulty coping may have been influenced by his childhood experiences, and he tried to remedy it himself via gambling to positively reinforce himself. The good news is that therapy can help you explore beliefs, triggers, and coping patterns without relying on addictive behaviors. Once these beliefs are modified, some people may find it easier to respond differently; progress and outcomes vary.
So how does it work?
Through cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing and other evidence-based practices for addiction therapy, you can explore triggers, develop coping skills, and work toward goals that matter to you. Your therapist can discuss which approaches fit your needs and whether additional support is appropriate.
It’s all about how you cope.
In cognitive behavioral treatment, you will also learn about the difference between adaptive and maladaptive coping skills. In short, a maladaptive coping skill is something that becomes more problematic and causes more negative side effects the more that it is used. In using alcohol as an example, the first drink might actually help reduce anxiety, but the 9th and 10th drink could cause health issues, violence or danger to the user. An adaptive coping skill, on the other hand, helps you respond to stress in ways that support your wellbeing over time. Examples of supportive coping strategies may include movement, social connection, and routines that fit your circumstances. Your therapist can help you explore realistic options and discuss how to build them into daily life.
A classic issue people have with quitting or reducing whatever substance or behavior they are trying to lessen is by not recognizing that the maladaptive coping skill IS still a coping skill at its root. It might not be a particularly good or sustainable one, but it is still something that helps the individual cope with life problems. Unless the individual replaces the maladaptive coping skill, with skills that support wellbeing, it can be harder to sustain change, and other problematic coping behaviors may emerge.
A substitute addiction might be quitting marijuana, but beginning to use alcohol or quitting gambling and starting to smoke cigarettes. Replacement behaviors aren’t always bad and may be a reasonable transition, but sometimes the replacement behaviors are even worse. This is why consulting with a mental or physical health professional before changing behaviors is of critical importance.
Feel free to reach out!
If these symptoms sound familiar to you and you would like to learn more, please click below to request an appointment or contact us with any further additional questions.