The reasons that people use substances are complex and varied. Substance use becomes abuse and addiction when it begins to interfere with a person’s life and necessary responsibilities, such as maintaining personal health, finances, obligations and relationships. Behavior can become much riskier, and in some cases, substance abuse can lead to legal problems as well.
A person might use drugs, alcohol or prescription drugs to achieve short-term relief from a struggle or ailment. However, if use becomes too habitual, the brain’s structure and functions can start to change as it adapts to the substance. This can lead to a longer-term dependency, or addiction.
As the addiction matures, the user can no longer stop or control their compulsions to use, even when aware of the related complications. The user not even recognize how advanced the addiction has become. He or she might also be in a state of denial.
Substance abuse is almost always a symptom of an underlying issue that could be biological, emotional or both. Chronic stress, mental illness, family dysfunction and a history of trauma can all contribute to a tendency to use and abuse a substance as a form of self-medication.
Frequent substance use can even create a mental illness where before one hadn’t existed. Properly treating and curing an addiction requires getting to the root cause of it.
Alcohol Abuse Boulder (CO)
Alcohol is one of the most addictive substances. Some people are able to have one or two drinks and then stop. Others might get tipsy or drunk and then not drink again for an extended period. Still others might form an uncontrollable dependency on it.
Alcohol abuse and addiction are not the same thing. A person can drink alcohol heavily at times, which is ill-advised and not healthy, but not be an addict. An addiction is a physical and psychological need for the alcohol whenever the compulsion arises. Over time, the addict will develop a tolerance to the alcohol and require more of it to achieve the same feeling.
Some signs that you or someone you care about may be suffering from alcohol abuse or addiction might be:
- being unable to have just one drink
- feeling shame because of drinking
- lying about drinking
- needing multiple drinks to relax
- blacking or passing out from drinking
- having friends and family who are concerned about the consumption
Drug Addiction Boulder (CO)
The abuse of drugs is similar to the overuse of alcohol in that it may start for one reason and then develop into something much more. In some cases, as with prescription drugs, the use might even begin with a doctor’s direction for treating pain.
As with alcohol, the serious issue lies in whether a person cannot function without the drug, in which case it has become an addiction.
Drug addiction might involve an illegal substance such as cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine. A person might also develop an addiction to legal drugs such as pain killers or, in many states now, marijuana.
Just a few reasons drug use and abuse might develop into an addiction might include:
- a desire to party, feel high or fit in with others
- availability of illegal drugs or prescription drugs
- self-medication for stress, mental illness or emotional pain
- the idea that legal (as with marijuana) means more acceptable
Counseling for Substance Abuse Boulder (CO)
Polaris Counseling specializes in therapy and treatment for control of and recovery from substance abuse and addiction. With our trained professional support, you or someone you care about can:
- discuss and understand what caused a drug or alcohol dependency
- develop coping skills for managing cravings and triggers
- identify and change situations and thought patterns that lead to using for comfort
- develop new, healthy ways of thinking, behaving and enjoying life
- learn to embrace the joy of freedom from substance abuse and addiction
Contact Polaris Counseling for Boulder (CO) Today
We care about your recovery and want to be alongside you as you move toward a renewed sense of peace and well-being. If you would like to learn more about our substance abuse counseling for Boulder (CO), we welcome you to connect with us at (630) 779-0751 or contact@polariscounseling.com.
Day, evening and weekend sessions are available. Most major insurance plans are accepted.