Addiction Counseling for Adults and Teens

How Do you know if You have an addiction?

Addiction is defined as the compulsive use of a substance or behavior that has created problems in life, and the use of that substance/behavior is continued despite the knowledge of the problems it causes for you. Addictions can be developed not only with drugs, alcohol and food, but also with behaviors such as shopping, gambling/gaming or sex. Sometimes it can be difficult to recognize that you might have a problem. Can you identify with any of the following statements?

If you recognize any of these thoughts or behaviors, you may have a problem with an addiction and you will benefit from counseling.

I always use my substance of choice more that I intend.
I lose control when I use my substance of choice or engage in certain behaviors.
I am engaging in substance use/addictive behavior more often and need larger amounts to achieve the effect I desire.
I am arguing with my friends and family because of my substance use/addictive behavior.
I am thinking about using or engaging in addictive behavior more often.
I can stop any time I want. I’ve done it before.

what does Substance use/Addiction Look Like In Teens

When teens are abusing drugs/alcohol or engaging in addictive behaviors, sometimes it can be difficult to recognize. Many times you will notice other problems with your teen before you realize s/he may have a substance use/addiction problem.

Have you noticed any of these problems with your teen?

Increased irritability
Significant drop in grades
Problems with school attendance
Loss of interest in activities s/he previously enjoyed
Significant change in friends or social activities
Excessive gum chewing or use of mouthwash or cologne to hide the smell of smoke or alcohol
Your teen seems withdrawn and non-communicative
There is missing money or household items

If you recognize any of these signs or behaviors in your teen, s/he may have a problem with substance use or addiction. If you are seeing any of these issues, you and your teen will benefit from substance use/addiction counseling.

Most kids try something… when is it considered a problem?

How can addiction/substance use counseling help?

Whatever the nature or severity of the addiction for both adults or teens, counseling is an important first step. Our therapists will help you figure out if addiction is an issue that needs to be addressed. Then we can develop a game plan to begin recovery and address the problematic behaviors. Our therapists will teach you how to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings and how they affect your compulsive behaviors. We will also identify additional support and resources that will help you in your journey toward recovering from your addiction.

Triangle Cognitive Therapy will often use the cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) model when working with clients who suffer from addiction and substance use. The CBT model operates on the idea that our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are all connected. Imagine that each of these occupies a point on a triangle. When one point on the triangle shifts, it has an effect on the other two points. If you change how you think about something, it will ultimately change how you feel and behave.

Our therapists can teach you techniques that will help you become more aware of your negative thoughts and feelings that cause you to use substances or engage in addictive behaviors. Then we will find strategies to restructure your thinking, so that those thoughts and feelings do not result in addictive behavior.

It's so Hard to make time for addiction counseling…

Addiction counseling is most effective when treatment is consistent. At Triangle Cognitive Therapy, we believe that counseling works best when meetings are scheduled weekly, sometimes more frequently. Regular sessions not only require time, but are also a financial commitment. For teens, in need of addiction counseling, it is also a big commitment for the family. Despite these problems, addiction counseling is imperative in your journey toward recovery and well being.

Addiction counseling is the tool that strengthens your emotional foundation so that your addiction becomes less powerful. Your time in treatment is your investment that makes you stronger mentally and physically. That strength will allow you to channel your energies into positive and productive activities and build healthy relationships and friendships. Remember, addiction is a disease that WILL get worse and the consequences will get worse over time if you don’t address it.

I don’t need addiction counseling… I can change my behavior at any time

How many times have you said this to yourself or have heard it from others? In fact, adults with an addiction issue have probably made numerous attempts to stop their behavior in their life. Many teens have also thought about the need to change their behavior or even made attempts. Many are successful in abstaining from negative behaviors for short periods of time.

The problem is that it is enormously difficult to stay “stopped”. Addiction counseling will help you to reteach yourself to stay away from your compulsive behaviors when you experience thoughts and feelings that trigger you. CBT is a highly effective for adults and teens who are looking to change negative or destructive behaviors. In counseling, our therapists will also help you identify and build a good support system and strategies to help you make healthier choices when it becomes difficult.

Are you tired of being controlled by addiction?

Are you tired of the problems you experience as a result of addiction? Are you concerned about your teen's recent behavior or substance use? It’s time to seek out counseling. The therapists at Triangle Cognitive Therapy have many years of experience helping individuals and their families recover from addiction. We work as a team which allows us to provide as much support as you and your family need. This makes us uniquely qualified to help you. After the first few sessions, we will develop a plan that will address your emotional and physical needs. If that plan includes referral to outside services, we have a working relationship with many local providers. There is help for the issues that you are experiencing and it starts with addiction counseling.

Addiction is often viewed as a condition that renders you to a very ill and out of control state. People who suffer from addiction are often portrayed as engaging in dangerous and hurtful behaviors to maintain their addiction. Addicts will continue despite their knowledge of the serious problems it causes in their lives. Unfortunately, our society often misunderstands addiction. As with any other disease, there are many levels of severity of addiction. Oftentimes, people who suffer from addiction are able to maintain careers and family and appear to have a normal life. It is not always obvious that they may be struggling with a substance use disorder or addictive behaviors.

However, addiction is a disease that is often inherited genetically and by definition, will progress over time and can lead to very serious consequences or, in some cases, death. Addiction counseling is the first step toward intervening in this progression.

Teens, like adults, who suffer from addiction are often portrayed as engaging in dangerous and hurtful behaviors and will continue their negative behaviors despite the knowledge of the problems it causes in their lives. If your teen comes home visibly intoxicated or under the influence, this is an obvious sign of a problem. However, substance use and addiction problems in teens more often than not begin in more subtle ways.

Many teens suffering from a substance use problem will generally demonstrate other problematic behaviors first. For example, you might notice that your teen is losing interest in activities that s/he once enjoyed. You also may have noticed a lack of motivation for school, or a significant shift in friend groups and social activities. These changes in behavior could be a sign of a substance use/addiction problem. It can be very hard to connect your teen’s behaviors to substance use or addiction. Triangle Cognitive Therapy can help you sort out the symptoms and negative behaviors to get a better sense if your teen has a problem with an addiction.