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ADDICTIONS SUPPORT

The term “addiction” often comes with preconceptions, stigma, and multiple understandings. In addition to Substance Use Disorders (as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5 5th Edition ©) there are addictive behaviors such as gambling, shopping, internet overuse...any compulsive behavior that limits our ability to live life as we would like. (Gambling Disorder: The First Officially Recognized Behavioral Addiction - Oxford Medicine)

I have undertaken my own personal journey of “recovery” from substance use disorder since 1986, beginning with participation in 12 Step groups and continuing with other pathways. There are so many approaches to addressing “addiction” that it would be difficult to list them here. A small sample might include Alcoholics/Narcotics/Cocaine/Gamblers Anonymous, SMART recovery, Indigenous inspired Wellbriety (An Overview of the Wellbriety Movement - YouTube), Refuge Recovery (Refuge Recovery World Services), Secular AA (The ‘Secular AA’ Movement | AA Agnostica), pharmacological approaches (Future pharmacological treatments for substance use disorders - PMC (nih.gov)), and many more. 

As a professionally trained therapist working with people suffering from substance use disorders and other compulsive behaviors, I bring a diverse perspective in helping explore a healing path that is suitable for each person. One of my foundational understandings of “addiction” is that it is a deeply patterned technique that helps people manage pain. That pain could come in the form of hyperactivation (anxiety, anger, heartbreak, irritability, stress, threat) or hypoactivation (depression, dissociation, numbness, hopelessness). Frequently, if not always, nervous system dysregulation through trauma contributes to this pain. (Bessel van der Kolk - how to detoxify the body from trauma - YouTube)

As one of my mentors used to say, “We humans are a substance using species.” This is clearly true. For some people, abstaining from psychoactive substances and compulsive behaviors is not the path for them. In this case, an approach known as harm reduction might be applied. (Harm Reduction (cmha.ca))

In my practice, I want to help people explore all the options to address their own or a loved one’s problematic relationship with substances or behaviors. Sadly, a lot of pain, destruction, and/or death can accompany “addictions.” At the same time, I have witnessed thousands of people of all ages, ethnicities, sexual identities, and socio-economic strata “recover from addiction” to lead fulfilling lives. 

My hope is that whatever brought you to this website, you will find the beginning of healing and perhaps even a path toward a more fulfilling life. 

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