Addiction Counseling

The physical signs of substance abuse or addiction can vary depending on the person and the substance being abused. In addition, each substance has short-term and long-term physical effects. For example, someone who abuses marijuana may have a chronic cough or worsening of asthmatic conditions. Stimulants like cocaine increase heart rate and blood pressure, whereas opioids like heroin may slow the heart rate and reduce respiration.

Definition of Addiction

Addiction is a complex brain disease. It is characterized by compulsive, at times uncontrollable, substance/behavior craving, seeking, and use that persist even in the face of extremely negative consequences. Drug/alcohol seeking becomes compulsive, in large part as a result of the effects of prolonged substance abuse on brain functioning and on behavior. For many people, drug/alcohol addiction becomes chronic, with relapses possible even after long periods of abstinence.

What are the signs of this disease? Lets focus on the abuse of alcohol. In addition to craving alcohol and an inability to stop, one symptom of this disease is quantity of alcohol consumed. For example, an alcoholic may require rather large amounts of alcohol before he or she feels a buzz much less feels drunk.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines a moderate drinker as someone who drinks an average of 3 to 14 drinks a week. A heavy drinker has an average of more than two drinks a day. A drink is 12 ounces of beer, one glass of wine or one shot of liquor. (In case you are wondering, if you drink 3 or more drinks a week you are in the minority: only 27% have that many drinks.)

Another symptom of this disease is when you drink. If you drink when stressed or depressed, lonely or bored, to get motivated or amorous, to test yourself or to feel good, then you are very likely an alcoholic. A better sign, however, is suffering from withdrawal symptoms. If you get nauseous, the cold sweats or the shakes when you don't drink, you are without doubt an alcoholic.

One of the unique features of this disease is that the effects of the disease are usually first felt by people other than the one suffering from the disease. The spouse, children, and friends of the alcoholic are negatively affected and often begin to tell the alcoholic that he/she has a problem. This begins the contemplation stage for the alcoholic to eventually admit he/she has a problem.

Treatment

Treatment is abstinent based, uses an individualized continuum of care approach and is coupled with emphasis on personal responsibility and 12-Step self-help programs. All treatment services are based on the individuals' needs and have a variable length, based on these needs and upon the willingness of the client to work on the underlying problems.

Denver Family Counseling offers affordable, drug rehab and alcohol counseling.  We are able to individualize your treatment plans to best fit your needs. Our program is designed for individuals who have substance abuse problems but do not suffer from medical or mental health issues, are ready to change, and have a stable living environment. Individuals attend once-a-week individual and/or group therapy for several weeks. Sessions address attitudes, behaviors, and lifestyle issues around substance use.

The good news is that addiction can indeed be treated. A professional intervention is a proven way to get the suffering individual into the recovery process and enable the individual to realize the negative impact that his/her behavior has on themselves and those around them. Our substance abuse counselors are trained in recovery techniques and tools, helping many families, through love and compassion, to point the way of healing and wholeness.

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