What is Addiction?
Addiction is now referred to as Substance Use Disorder or if the addiction does not involve a psychoactive substance, it is referred to as a process or behavioral disorder (Gambling, gaming, food, sex, shopping, exercise, etc.). A Substance Use Disorder is diagnosed as Mild, Moderate or Severe.
There are multiple causes for an addiction. Usually, it is not just one problem or event, but rather a combination of problems or events.
Our approaches to addiction are evidenced-based practices that also take into consideration any mental health challenges (Depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, etc.).
Addiction FAQs
What causes Addiction?
- Physical Pain (especially Chronic)
- Emotional pain
- Trauma Injury
- Loneliness
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Experimentation
- Loss of a Loved One
- Loss of a Job
- Divorce
- Self-Medication
What Is It Like Living with Addiction?
Living with addiction is misery. Addiction often takes precedence over everything else, including family, relationships, housing, and jobs. It manipulates and controls, causing individuals to feel lonely, depressed, and driven to misdeeds.
Affected individuals often wish the urge would just “leave them alone.” They don’t want to be addicted, but they lack the ability to be able to control their urges. Feeling out of control can be exhausting and can often lead to severe depression.
Our addiction therapists have found that it is common for addicted individuals to also be suffering from trauma, PTSD, or other mental health issues. These individuals often feel anxious, depressed, guilty, or shameful. Feelings like these can trigger an individual to abuse a substance.
How Do I Know If I Have an Addiction?
According to the American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization, an addiction must meet at least three of the following criteria:
- Tolerance and increased use
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Limited control over use
- Negative consequences to use
- Neglected or postponed activities due to use
- Significant time or energy spent using, concealing, planning, or recovering from use
- A desire to cut down or control use
Are you experiencing at least three of these symptoms? Consider seeking help. Speak with a therapist at Phoenix Rebellion Therapy Center in Salt Lake City to take back control of your life. Call (385) 231-8387 or contact us online today.
Why Can’t I Stop?
Addiction changes the circuits in the brain. It impacts the brain chemicals that help you feel pleasure and satisfaction. Addictive substances and acts change the levels of dopamine and serotonin released in the body, prompting you to increase use. This can make kicking the habit and recovery very difficult.
You may find that it can take to several months to a few years to “feel happy again” once you’re in recovery. Additionally, due to changes in the brain, when you decide to stop, you may suffer from withdrawal symptoms.
Releasing yourself from an addiction can be a scary idea. It’s normal for you to be inclined to stick with the habit. You will, however, find recovery a liberating and freeing experience once the initial slope has passed.
Do I Need Counseling?
If you are suffering from an addiction, you need professional help. In circumstances where the addiction is a substance, it is not uncommon to suffer from withdrawal symptoms, such as sweating, shaking, headaches, and nausea. Withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous. Depending on the severity and intensity of the substances used, you may need professional medical help.
Addiction can develop over years. Many treatment facilities only include a 90-day treatment plan. It is crucial that you have an aftercare plan that includes group support, peer support, and ongoing mental health therapy and addiction counseling. You need a team of individuals to help you find success. We are the team that can help you begin or continue your journey of sobriety in what may be the hardest struggle of your life.
It’s okay to ask for help. The addiction counselors at Phoenix Rebellion Therapy Center in Salt Lake City can help with your recovery journey. Contact us online or call (385) 231-8387 to learn more.
Do You Offer Help with Sex & Pornography Addiction?
Yes, our therapists offer help with all kinds of addiction, including sex and pornography addiction. Phoenix Rebellion Therapy will help you understand what is going on within your body. We will work with you to get to the root issues and help you to understand your own addiction cycle and emotions. We will help you with a sex plan and recovery.
Sex addiction is something that can damage friendships, partnerships, and marriages. We treat and help you and those you love recover from the trauma that has occurred in the relationship. Partners often experience emotions like anxiety, depression, self-blame, and anger. We will assist them through the process and alleviate these common negative emotions and to find balance through their own journey of healing.
What If I’ve Attended a Treatment Facility Before & Haven’t Been Able to Stop?
Treatment comes in all shapes and sizes and not all treatment is created equal. We have seen individuals who have attended five or six treatment facilities and never addressed the core issues that they were driving them toward addictive substances and behaviors. Core issues must be addressed and skills must be learned to help you create change.
Individuals enter treatment at different times in their lives with different expectations and desires. Some individuals plan to relapse the moment they are done with treatment. Success will depend on many things, including desire, timing, treatment techniques, and confronting the possibility of relapse.
