No one plans to become addicted to a substance(s). More often than not, drug addictions start with experimental use, or normal social use, of a drug in situations. Over time, people become addicted not to the drug, per se, but what the drug “does” for them. The emotions or numbness that come from the “high.” After a while, those emotions, numbness, or excitement is the only thing that a person can think about. As time passes, a person may feel the need to use more of a drug to get the same effect. Soon a person may need the drug to simply feel “normal.”
This is the cycle of substance addiction. No two clients are ever the same and no two treatments are exactly alike. If you are struggling to find a therapist who isn’t just trying to “fit” you into a mold of a treatment model, then speak to Dr. Arthur. He currently serves as the primary therapist at a residential treatment center and has years of experience in working with addiction and it’s related mental health struggles. He has experience with a variety of different therapeutic models and skillsets which he tailors to each individual client.
As an addictions counselor, Dr. Arthur will address the symptoms, behaviors, and emotions of addiction and the related areas of impaired functioning. Together, he and the client structure the time, commitments, and life content of recovery to maintain sobriety. He believes that there are many paths to successful recovery that will work with your goals and desires, ensuring you can make the life changes you want to make. He is one of the few doctoral-level psychologists in the nation to have experience in treating the co-occurring substance addition with primary mental health (i.e. bipolar, depression, PTSD, etc…), eating disorders, and neurocognitive disorders. Having an expert psychologist in the multi-diagnoses and treatment of substance abuse with other mental health issues greatly increase treatment success.
Drug 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. Contact Dr. Arthur today for a free consultation.