What is addiction? Above all, it is continued involvement with a substance or activity despite the negative consequences associated with it. It is a problem containing 3 dimensions: the behavioral, the mental, even the spiritual.  The following is a quick survey of difficulties, entitled: Deciding if you are addicted?

Addiction Therapy draws attention to the 3 dimensions: to that which overvalues not only pleasure seeking, but also avoidance, even revenge. Meanwhile, the afflicted individual loses sight of his or her own true needs; even sacrifices them to cause of others’ needs. This is a feature of what is termed Codependency.

But there is hope. It starts with a disorienting thought: something is not working. The behaviors that originally brought pleasure, confidence, or relief are no longer fulfilling their implied promises.

If addiction could speak it would say, “I lied to you: I promised so much, and now deliver problems: health, legal, financial, and relationship problems; disruptions of intimacy.”

To begin addressing questions of addiction is to begin a heartfelt inventory: to speak consciously and honestly as to impact of addictive behaviors, such as with drugs and alcohol, sex, or gambling, upon one’s life—to assess patterns of isolation, secrecy, deception, emotional cutting off, that typically accompany the physical behaviors.

By speaking consciously, I mean the task of working through confusion, the “I don’t know” thoughts that often confound those caught up in a negative pattern. Seek help with someone who understands.

Meanwhile, working on a problem calls for a structured plan: I recommend 1-3 sessions for evaluation, goal-setting, and understanding of my approach. If you are sufficiently stabilized in terms of addictive behavior, and functional in most areas of your life, therapy may be a good fit. If therapy is not the best course of action for you, I will recommend an appropriate option, based upon my training and experience, and I will be honest with you.

Individual Therapy, or Couples and Family Therapy is a complicated process, calling for patience, focus, empathy, a willingness to stay with the problem; to stay with yourself. I recommend taking the addiction self test indicated above, then make appointments at my Walnut Creek offices. Above all, take care.