Addiction-Based Counseling

Support and healing for victims of addiction

The Focus Is You

We provide addiction-based counseling to help victims heal and find support. Our services focus on the individual affected by addiction, addressing their unique needs and providing guidance for recovery.

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Our Approach

Individual Counseling: Personalized sessions to address the emotional impact of addiction.

Group Therapy: Supportive sessions for victims to connect and share their experiences.

Family Counseling: Guiding families in understanding and coping with addiction.

Effects of Alcohol on Families

Fact 1: Alcohol abuse has numerous detrimental side effects on the abuser, making it crucial for individuals seeking to quit to seek professional assistance. The withdrawal symptoms that arise when stopping alcohol consumption can be severe, highlighting the importance of professional support. Failure to treat these symptoms properly can even result in life-threatening conditions. Alcohol abuse is a widespread issue in the United States, emerging as a pandemic and surpassing drug abuse as the most prevalent form of substance abuse. Given the severity and prevalence of alcohol abuse, it is imperative that those struggling with addiction seek professional help in order to overcome this pervasive problem.

Fact 2: Research has found that manipulation and instilling fear are prominent skills possessed by alcoholics. These individuals often display a Jekyll and Hyde personality, being loving and caring while sober, but transforming into a terror when under the influence.

Fact 3: Alcoholics are Emotional terrorists (as with any aggressive person) that have a poor self-concept masked by inflated self- importance. Since they cannot accept themselves for who they are, they cannot accept others for who they are. Alcoholics have a high tolerance for denial, so rather than simply addressing their own lack of self-acceptance and growing as human beings, they try to compensate for this lack by behaving in ways that seem to bolster their self-importance.

Alcoholism can have a devastating impact on both individuals and their family members. Victims of alcohol abuse often find themselves trapped in abusive relationships, where they endure physical, emotional, and psychological harm. It is crucial for these individuals to gather the strength and willpower necessary to break free from these toxic dynamics. However, this can be an incredibly challenging task, especially if the abuser is unwilling to seek professional help. Often, those affected by alcohol abuse must rely on their own determination and resilience to escape the cycle of abuse. It is essential for them to surround themselves with a strong support system, seek counseling or therapy, and explore resources available to assist in their journey towards healing and recovery.

Facts about Alcoholics

ALCOHOLIC RELATIONSHIP SURVIVAL GUIDE

Exploring your own denial

What reasons do you have for remaining in an alcoholic relationship? In what way are your reasons actually a product of denial and/or cognitive dissonance? Do any of the following ring a bell?

 “But he’s so good when he doesn’t drink!”
 “I’m afraid that he will meet someone else, recover, and then I’ll miss out.”
 “I’m afraid of what my family, friends, neighbors, clients, and/or church would think if I told them about his/her drinking or if I left.”
 “Children need both parents and I don’t want to raise my kids without a father or mother.”
 “I don’t know how I would manage financially without him.”
 “But we have so much history together! How can I just throw that all away?”
 “I’m not a quitter!”
 “But he needs me! How will he get along without me there to help? He might die!”
 “I can’t leave... my religion forbids divorcing.”
 “We’re in business together and I can’t just quit everything! How will I earn a living?”
 “I can’t bear to be alone.”
 “If I left, I’m afraid that no one else would want me.”
 “With enough love, I can change him/her; I can fix them!”
 “But I’m too old to leave!”
 “But I’m too young to leave!”
 “We’ve only been married a short time and the wedding cost so much!”
 “I’m sure marriage counseling will make her stop drinking.”
 “If I leave, he’ll come after me; I fear for my safety and my children’s safety.”
 “But this is the way my life has always been. It’s too late to change now.”
 “But every marriage has its difficulties and every couple fights.”
-Alcoholic Relationship Survival Guide p. 16 www.empoweredrecovery.com

Denial is a defense mechanism that individuals employ to protect themselves from the distress caused by cognitive dissonance. It is an unconscious refusal to accept or acknowledge information or evidence that contradicts their beliefs or values. Denial can help individuals maintain a sense of psychological equilibrium by avoiding the discomfort associated with cognitive dissonance. However, it can also hinder personal growth and prevent individuals from confronting and resolving the conflicts within their beliefs.

Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort experienced when there is a contradiction between one's beliefs, attitudes, or behaviors. It occurs when individuals hold two or more conflicting ideas or when their actions do not align with their beliefs. This discomfort arises from the desire for consistency and harmony within one's thoughts and actions. People generally strive to reduce cognitive dissonance by either changing their beliefs or behaviors, or by seeking information that supports their existing beliefs. For instance, if someone who values their health continues to engage in unhealthy behaviors, cognitive dissonance may arise, leading them to either change their behavior or rationalize their actions. Understanding cognitive dissonance can shed light on why people sometimes struggle to change their opinions or behaviors, as it highlights the inherent discomfort associated with conflicting thoughts and actions.