Overcoming Addictions

Jed* told himself that he’s going to pull back on drinking.

At the last Bachelor’s Weekend he attended, he went home with a random person at the bar and had to think up a quick story covering his tracks.

He lied to everyone. He thinks, “I won’t drink next time, and this won’t happen again. It’s fine.”

Sophie’s* cracking under the pressure.

Sofie is an “A” student, President of the National Honor Society at her high school, has tons of friends, and faithfully shows up to church youth group.

She also has a secret stash of pot in her room, which she regularly uses and lies about to her parents.

Her parents are fed up and are considering sending her away to inpatient drug treatment if they catch her one more time.

Danny* was just confronted by his wife of 25 years.

She just found his stash of porn films he’s made with over 15 women.

She says if he doesn’t get recovery the marriage is over, and she will fight for full custody of their three girls.

He feels trapped, alone, ashamed, and needs help.

Addictions are happening all around us.

We can be addicted to food, sex, gambling, working, shopping, narcotics, alcohol, unhealthy relationships, gaming, and so much more.

Addiction is present when you turn to the same repetitive behavior again and again to cope with fear, sadness, anger, or shame.

The addictive behavior or substance feels like the “way out.”

Except the more you use, the more you need.

You keep pushing your limits – seeing how far you can take it – until someone discovers your secret and you’re confronted with the consequences.

Now with your whole life riding on your next decisions, you have no idea how to fight back against your craving.

Take off that heavy backpack…

Carrying the burden of addiction alone is like a weighty backpack.

With each relapse, it feels like bricks being added to the already heavy pack. It can be hard to take positive steps toward health while carrying this weight.

White knuckling through sobriety might look like staying away from compulsive sexual behavior. If you are turning to food, pornography, adult media, alcohol, marijuana, excessive spending, or other “replacements” for the addictive behavior, you are still adding weight to your pack.

Healing looks like acknowledging your body. Healing looks like acknowledging your childhood. Healing looks like talking about your regrets and acknowledging shame.

Helping my clients achieve freedom from shame and pain they’ve been carrying is one of the greatest parts of my job. Let me help you remove those heavy burdens for good.

“I wish I’d called sooner…”

Some callers have said, “Why did I wait so long? I wish I’d done this sooner.” You too can feel relief knowing you now have someone to help you through this.

Pick up the phone and call me at (615) 905-1893.

*Names changed to preserve client confidentiality.