Addiction

Addiction destroys spirits, childhoods, careers, families, health and trust. It makes good people act against their values and hate themselves for having done so. Then they do it again. It is the only disease that tells its sufferers they don’t have a disease.

When the partner of an addict says “If you loved me you’d stop,” they are expressing in one sentence the misconception so often shared by the addict as well: “I could control this if I really wanted to. Since I don’t, I’m weak and lack willpower.” As a former chemical dependency counselor with years of experience in the field of addiction, I have found the opposite to be true. Most addicts have extraordinary willpower. They have to, in order to carry out the business of living while operating under the burden of addiction. They are sick people trying to get well, not bad people trying to get good.

“And acceptance is the answer to ALL my problems today.” AA Big Book

My work with addiction combines an abstinence-based model with a strong foundation in the Twelve Steps, which have been shown to work the best for the largest number of people. As many recovering people have a history of trauma and childhood abuse, I integrate my treatment of these issues with a focus on internal integration of the self and spiritual healing.

Although recovery can be beautiful and exhilarating, it is often not easy, especially in the beginning when the cravings are still strong and the wreckage from the past is ever-present. I will support your abstinence, help you cope with the feelings and memories you’ve suppressed, and encourage you to put your recovery program above all.