Addiction Therapy in Pearland, TX

Addictions are considered to be a disease that is chronic and treatable. Identifying it as a disease recognizes that the cause is biochemical, rather than a choice or laziness.

The brain’s chemistry and structure alters to the point that the user is able to make wise, logical decisions that take all the pros and cons into consideration.

Therapy is helpful because it allows for an objective outsider to identify the cycle and the cycle’s weaknesses, while providing ways to interrupt the cycle. It’s hard to do on your own, having an observer allows for an unbiased strategy that is more likely to be effective.

Over time, your body becomes accustomed to the same thing. This can include many things – caffeine, alcohol, opioids, gambling. With continued use, you need more to get the same effects. For example needing to drink more to reach the same feeling, or placing higher bets to get that rush.

It occurs naturally over time when the same substance is ingested often, or the same behavior is repeated. It is an indication that your actions maybe becoming an addiction.

Absolutely! There are a number of factors that influence an individual’s success. The two most influential are the level of motivation for change and the level of support.

There are a lot of different treatment options – not every one is right for everyone. It might take some time to find the right fit. In the meantime, staying optimistic and hopeful, with the help of others, will take you a long way.

When addressing addictions, urges take on a whole new level. Everyone experiences urges daily on some level – to sleep in, skip the gym, eat the donut. For the most part, we can talk ourselves down and maintain boundaries we’ve set for ourselves.

For someone with an addiction, the behavior is all consuming and can’t be denied. This person will get very anxious, possibly irritable, as they can only fixate on their urge. This sensation will persist until something else fills it or replace it to satisfy the need.

A dependence is present when users sacrifices themselves and their loved ones to satisfy an urge. They understand the cost it has on them, yet it’s near impossible to deny.

An example would be a gambler losing money meant for the mortgage, knowing it may mean losing their home and family. They have become dependent on the high of the risk and chance of winning, that they can’t see the consequence or minimize it.

• Biological/Genetic: Roughly 50% contribution to addiction. Using also changes brain development and functioning, making it harder to contain and control
• Environmental: Normalized use in families, influence of peer pressure in adolescents, accessibility of substance
• Psychological: Comorbid with mental health diagnosis (anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar) as a way to cope. Using can mask/numb certain difficult emotions.

A relapse means that you’re struggling with changing your behaviors and have a few more kinks to work out. You are trying a new way of living, there are a lot of moving parts that need to work well together to stay sober.

Adopting any new habit comes with challenges and setbacks – using a budget, going to the gym, sticking to new eating habits and even riding a bike. Relapse is part of the process, not a sign that you can’t reach your goals.

For many addicts, hitting rock bottom is the event that ultimately leads to them seeking and sticking with abstinence. Every person has a different rock bottom.

For some, it may be getting a DUI or a health scare. Others, losing their family (from the lies and chaotic lifestyle) is what it takes. Those that are deeper into their addiction may end up incarcerated or homeless and still actively use.

• Support groups, such as AA, NA, and Gambling Anonymous
• Many religious organizations have their own recovery supports
• Outpatient therapy – meet with a therapist weekly to gain objective support and develop a personalized plan.
• Medication management – to address underlying issues (trauma, anxiety) and mitigate addiction
• Partial Hospitalization/Intensive OutPatient (IOP) – therapy/group several times a week, still live at home and go to work
• Residential – more intense with groups and individual therapy, detox, medication management, relapse prevention, life skills; live in the facility for 24/7 care
• Inpatient – more intense form of residential, has more restrictions and rigorous treatment

First step will be an assessment. This is done through a conversation with a therapist and questionnaire(s). All aspects of your addiction (current symptoms, history of use, kinds of use, and attempts to stop using will be evaluated.

Next, you and your therapist will develop a treatment plan, determining which treatment option is the best fit for you.

Your therapist will also discuss treatment options, in terms of intensity. If addressed early, lower levels of care may be most appropriate. If you’ve been struggling for some time, you may need to think of going to a higher level of care. This is something to discuss with your therapist and family.

What to do:

• Listen – believe them when they say they are struggling
• Validate – Say that you understand, that it must be overwhelming for them
• Ask in detail how they are coping, even if you just suspect they are using
• Encourage – point out small steps and growth, remind them it takes time to work through
• Set boundaries and stick to them – ‘Next time you get high, I am going to…’ Follow through every single time, regardless of their excuses.
• Find support for yourself – through different groups or your own therapy
• Support finding additional support – groups, therapy, rehab

What not to do:

• Minimize their pain – ‘It’s not that bad’
• Ignoring their needs – be consistent in reaching out with support
• Getting frustrated yourself – remember it takes time to overcome an addiction
• Be a ‘fixer’ – don’t do things for them, that enables lack of self efficacy, rather support them through hard tasks
• Pressing – don’t goad them into situations they are not ready for, create a supportive environment

If you’re here, you have some concerns about your use. It’s always better to find support sooner rather than later as it’s easier to treat early on.

• Find yourself thinking about behavior (drinking, gambling, using) more and more
• Experiencing increased tolerance
• Lying to others about your use (saying running errand instead of going to liquor store)
• Breaking own boundaries (tell yourself only gaming on week-ends and can’t follow through)
• Others are questioning how much you use/engage in behavior or sharing concerns
• Find yourself acting differently – change in motivation and interests, more irritable, life feels more chaotic