Mushrooms ... Sugar ... Shopping ....
More often than not, an “addictions” starts as a reasonable coping strategy. Be it alcohol, sugar, caffeine, prescription medication, running … any of these reasonable diversions can quickly become a “ritualized compulsive self-care behavior” on steroids. A more accurate description and/or diagnosis is an obsession, obsessive-compulsive behavior rather than “an addiction.” It might not be a disease or an illness … it might be misused not abuse, might be a symptom of something else entirely.
“Addiction” symptoms and behaviors include, among others:
- Feeling the need to use the drug regularly, which can be daily or multiple times a day
- Having intense urges for the drug
- Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
- Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
- Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities
- Doing things you wouldn’t normally do to get the drug, such as stealing
- Focusing more and more time and energy on getting and using the drug
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using the drug
- Failed attempts to quit using the drug
If you can relate to any of the above symptoms or behaviors, it may be time to consider addiction counseling.
As an LCSW the scope of my practice includes addressing “addictions”. I will address the symptoms of your addiction and the related areas of impaired functioning, and together we’ll structure the time and content of your ongoing recovery. Twelve Steps might work, might not. “16 steps – Yes You Can: A Guide to Empowerment” or Nonviolent Communication might be just the path to take.
I believe that there are many paths to successful recovery that will work with your goals and desires, and ensure you can make the life changes you want to make. Contact me today for a free consultation.