Addictions Therapy
Life is too short to spend it at war with yourself.
“Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke and put it on you, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit; and you will find rest.” – Matthew 11: 28 -29
Carrying the emotional load of addiction, whether our own or of the one we love, can sometimes leave us feeling defeated and broken. Many would give anything to lay down the weight of secrets, embarrassment, guilt and even shame; but stop short out of fear or uncertainty.
In scripture, Matthew 11:28-29 reminds us Christ can, and will, help us shoulder these burdens so that we may rest and recover. We never have to do it alone.
Does “Rock Bottom” have to be my starting point?
Rock bottom is often believed to be the place a person has to be before real change happens. It’s a belief that says: “something really bad has to happen before they do something different”. In reality, a person has probably made several attempts (even if half hearted at best) to overcome the obstacles dragging them back down. When they repeatedly fail, and find themselves at their personal rock bottom, it can be a place of irrevocable damage. A place of burned relationships, lost identities and feelings of never ending hopelessness.
But the change that can happen at rock bottom is nothing short of reckoning and redemption. It can give you space to truly evaluate and question life choices, gain humility and compassion, reframe priorities, and light the fire for a life driven by purpose. While we never want anyone to aim for rock bottom before finally reaching out, we know it can be very easy to find yourself there.
At SALT, our role is to never judge how long it took for you to find your starting point. You start wherever you need to. We will meet you there.
How do I know if addiction is controlling my life?
SALT believes addiction is best understood from a perspective that encompasses biological, psychological, social and spiritual contexts as a whole. In essence, addiction doesn’t just pick and choose certain parts to affect, it can impact all areas of your life. And while pleasure seeking is not inherently “wrong” or unhealthy, there may come a time when you (or a loved one) begin to worry that the pleasure is becoming an obsession or addiction. Should you find yourself with those worries, here are a few questions to ask:
How much of a priority is it in your life and do you make decisions based around it?
How much time do you spend doing it or thinking about doing it?
Have you found yourself taking risks or making sacrificies to have it?
How do you feel when you are doing it versus when you’re not doing it?
How do you feel thinking about quitting or not having it anymore?
How have your relationships changed since you started doing it?
What Our Clients Are Saying
“I don’t know how you do what you do, but you’ve helped me find myself.”
addiction therapist in greenbrier
“At first, addiction is maintained by pleasure, but the intensity of the pleasure gradually diminishes and addiction is then maintained by the avoidance of pain.”
