Addiction – a disruptive force.

Addiction . . . an Individual Issue AND a Relationship Issue

Addiction to alcohol, drugs, shopping, gambling, pornography, or other substance or behavior can seriously disrupt any sense of trust. It is an individual issue, but it is also a relationship issue – with your friends, family, and, if applicable, your partner.

First and foremost, getting clean and sober is clearly the issue that needs to be addressed. But my approach may be somewhat different than what you might have experienced before.

I see all these addictions as a symptom rather than the main problem. Of course, many of these addictions are mood-altering and can affect the relationship, but why is someone using? How did they become addicted? What purpose is the addiction serving in this person’s life?

What is my Individual Therapy approach with an addict?

We will focus on healing the various underlying conditions causing a person to abuse drugs and alcohol. To uncover those driving forces, I will help you discover the root causes of your substance use and heal you from the inside out.

To heal from chemical dependency-related issues, you will need to start by healing and treating the underlying conditions driving your addiction.

Being unable to cope with depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, marriage, work, relationships, the death of a loved one, financial burdens, illness, insecurity, or physical impairment are the most common reasons for substance abuse. The goal of treatment is to identify these underlying causes and address them in individual therapy so that they no longer lead to continued drug and alcohol use.

I utilize psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and family systems techniques to tailor our sessions to your needs.

I will work with you to help identify the negative or false beliefs you may hold about yourself that have fueled your dependency, influenced your family life, and disrupted other aspects of your life. During our sessions, you will learn how to free yourself from these false beliefs, so you can begin your healing process.

When is Couples Therapy appropriate?

Living with an addict can cause a great deal of anxiety, fear, and insecurity for the family. There is a breakdown in trust, and the feeling of powerlessness can be overwhelming.

If you are in a committed relationship and you are living with an addict, couples therapy is beneficial to create enough change to sustain the relationship.

When someone is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, often they find that the cause of their substance abuse stems from deeply entangled troubles in interpersonal relationships.

I will work with you and your partner toward better communication and a healthier relationship. Even if you are estranged from your biological family, these sessions can be used to strengthen bonds with friends, romantic partners, or other members of your support system.

It may appear that your family may benefit from therapy. These sessions with your family help break down the communication barriers that have been standing in the way of having healthy and fulfilling relationships with your loved ones.

If family is unable to travel for these sessions, they can also be done via teleconference to ensure key members of your support team are included in this process. These sessions will help bridge the gap between your individual therapy progress and your relationships at home so that we can address ongoing family dynamics.

Don’t keep undermining your happiness.

Please call me at (562) 213-5318 or email me at stephanie@stephaniegonzalesmft.com for more information on how I can help you.