Addiction Therapists in Whittier, CA.

Scientists have researched for years to isolate and locate a physiological marker that would identify someone’s predilection for addictive behavior. However, even if they were successful, any addict could tell you that addiction is much more than a physical problem. No matter the addiction, multiple factors contribute to the descent into this common form of mental illness. Physiological factors do play a role in addictions, as well as do family, cultural, environmental, and psychological considerations. So, which is it for you? If you are a typical addict, all of them apply to a certain extent. Relapses into addiction after typical rehab treatments, usually occur when all factors haven’t been ....

I strongly believe that the first step in overcoming an addiction is to feel supported in a safe and comforting therapeutic environment. Without trust, it is nearly impossible to address the issues, including shame, that so often accompany substance abuse. My approach is to help my clients learn to identify the thoughts and beliefs (often negative thoughts about themselves and their lives) that lead them to turn to drugs or alcohol. Treatment helps the client unlearn old patterns of behavior and to learn new ways of coping with situations and thoughts that may have led them to use substances in the past.

An addiction can be hidden for years before a spouse or parent catches on. Addiction is not limited to street drugs and alcohol, people can become addicted to things like prescription medication, binge eating, video games, gambling, or pornography. Addiction always starts as something that seems harmless and innocent. It is common for a distressed person to turn to their addiction to escape from their problems--the drugs/action takes their minds off their problems. As time goes by, the physical dependency grows, and then the psychological dependency grows; the addiction grows and grows until it takes over the person's mind. I know what it is like and I can help the person get into recovery.

The benefits of Addiction Counseling and Treatment are manifold. Too often individuals are controlled by substances in their life and don't feel free to make their own choices. People can be addicted to everything from drugs, to caffeine, to shopping, to gambling, to alcohol, etc. Addiction counseling is about understanding the need one may feel to be attached to a substance. Counseling focuses on developing other coping skills to manage ones' life without depending on a substance to get through each day.

We become addicted to certain behaviors when painful feelings about ourself cannot be recognized or expressed, and therefore unprocessed. Caught in these unrecognized feelings that never get understood, behaviors of accommodation take hold and keep us trapped. Therapy is a process of recognizing these emotional patterns leading to a personal empowerment to speak what one really desires and needs. This process breaks the addictive patterns.

We are talking about craving for substances or behavior that gets in the way of relationships, work, and general health. First, treat yourself to sharing with a professional what is going on because you are unlikely to be able to solve this all by yourself if you are still suffering. Talking is obviously not enough and you will learn to take the steps to change these destructive habits.

There are many forms of addiction: Alcoholism & Chemical Dependency, Sexual Addictions, and Gambling are just a few. We believe there are root problems to every addiction that you can get to. Even if you don't consider yourself an "addict" you may have a problem in one of these areas. That can still be a very difficult thing to manage in your life on your own. We help people come to grips with addictions and problem behaviors that can get worse if left unaddressed. If you are struggling in this area don't try to go it alone. We can help.

We see a variety of clients who struggle with addictive or compulsive behaviors and impulsivity. People who struggle with these symptoms may choose one or more repeating behaviors, actively engaging in pornography, alcohol, food, a belief, another person, gambling, gaming, or acquiring material possessions. Helping clients to understand the nature of addiction and the factors contributing to the behavior is the first step toward freedom. Tailoring treatment to the problem, we engage with the pattern using a multi-level approach. Not limiting therapy to only behavioral methods, we use CBT as well as Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

For many people, addictions can be a private pain that they keep hidden away from others. Often times, people feel powerless to overcome these temptations that may eventually impact their relationships and life functioning. In the safety of therapy, we will work towards identifying triggers or times when you feel most vulnerable to your addiction. We'll process through underlying issues and develop feasible steps for you to resist temptations and replace them with constructive and healthy ways of coping. Whether it's internet addiction, pornography, substance abuse, binge eating- you do not have to let your addiction consume you any longer.

Most often, nothing becomes an issue until it starts to interfere with your own level of functioning. Depending on the level of addiction, may depend on your level of treatment. Outpatient therapy is focused on those who are more stable within their addiction, and are wanting continued accountability and personal growth as their focus. Treatment may be more collaborative at this level (psychiatrist, physician, sponsor) to ensure that progress is continuing. Types of addiction treated in my practice: drug/alcohol use, food/exercise, shopping and co-dependency issues.

I love the 12 step programs and will want my clients to attend some of those sessions. I will work with clients to find the personal power to attend these meetings and gain more knowledge about others as well as themselves. I work here with self forgiveness, shame, and forgiveness of others. I work to strengthen their personal worth. I find that having the client take personal responsibility for their actions is the key to their going forward in grace and honesty.

Most addictions whether they are gambling, pornography, internet, alcohol, drugs, or shopping are all rooted in the desire toward pleasure seeking and all result in an outcome which is unable to sustain that pleasurable experience. Often people seek treatment when the behaviors result in destructive outcomes. When a spouse or family member of an addicted person or the addicted person themselves, admits the behaviors are resulting in negative outcomes and the person is unsuccessful in stopping the behavior we define this as an addiction. We provide insight as to what is the root cause and teach them better coping skills.

Our approach to addiction therapies is something that makes our program so unique. Our goal is preparation for discharge, starting the moment clients arrive. We have 5 core values here at Coastline; authenticity, accountability, compassion, humility, and teamwork. We live alongside our clients and work to exemplify all of these values in everything that we do. We commit to providing safe, healing, and therapeutic relationships between clinical staff and clients. Our clients are involved in treatment therapies such as experiential therapy, equine therapy, group therapy, and one-on-one therapy sessions with our clinical staff. We also attend meetings and work the program together.

The brain can be severely affected and altered by addictions. When the addiction to substances or processes kick in the brain starts to rewire itself to use these unhealthy coping skills. The alteration can also effect the equilibrium of chemicals which can lead to depression, anxiety, and other mental health symptoms. The process of addiction recovery is to use cognitive behavioral therapy and other conjunct treatments like TMS Therapy, Medication Management, and Meditation practices.

Addiction is a mental health condition and I treat addiction by a multi-pronged process predominately from a Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) model. I help my clients understand the reasons they use a substance or engage in an addictive behavior, teach them skills regulate their emotions and tolerance distress that might otherwise lead them to engage in their addiction, and address any underlying issues that contribute to their addiction. I also help clients with with concerns about their substance use or compulsive behavior to avoid developing addictions.

Just about everybody knows someone who is struggling with the abuse of a substance. Alcoholism in particular is so widespread in our society that in the last fifteen years there are more treatment centers than ever before providing assistance to those who have lost control over their drinking. What about family members? Alcoholism is a relationship buster. It breaks down families and damages children. It leaves spouses feeling helpless, confused and frightened. Family members know there is a problem. Everybody walks on egg shells. Talking to a loved one doesn’t help and sometimes makes it worse. Living with addiction makes life unpredictable every day. There are fights and arguments and chaos, and then there is peace-until there isn’t again and the...(view profile to read more)

Don't know if you're an "addict"? Are you SURE you are? Whether someone just accuses you of addiction or you've been around the recovery block a few times, you'll find qualified and understanding help at CCRG. But nobody REALLY understands you? Try us! You'll find real understanding and patience, skill and knowledge, motivation and support. Would all that help? Call us and let us help.

Are you addicted to pornography, visiting massage parlors, paying for sex? Have you tried to stop and failed? Are you leading a double life, afraid of being found out? Has your partner discovered your secret life? There is hope if you're ready to change your life. I provide a confidential, non-judgmental place for addicts and their partners to share the shame of a double life and the pain of betrayal. I will help stop the out-of-control behavior and re-engineer your life to develop healthy intimate connections. There is hope and you will not be alone in the journey. Go to www.sexhelp.com for an online assessment.

Often the quickest and easiest way to stuff away negative thoughts and emotions or to just shut down and go numb is to self-medicate. Whether your substance of choice is drugs, alcohol, food, prescriptions, porn, or video games, you have fallen into the habit of dealing with life by turning to your substance. Breaking this cycle takes work and dedication but it is possible! Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Seeking Safety will help you identify your triggers, create a plan to cope with those triggers in a healthy way, and begin to create a support network. Addiction is one of the struggles where support is vital to one's recovery! You're not supposed to do it alone!

Addictions can come in many forms. Some struggle with alcohol and drug addictions, while others struggle with gambling. Still others may struggle with internet pornogrpahy or video games. The common reasons for getting hooked are either boredom, the desire to seek pleasure or simply to just have have fun. The hardest reason to admit an addiction is that it is a way to cope with life's difficult problems. Whatever your reason, if any of these addictions are affecting your work or relationships, it's probably time to seek professional help. Caring and quality professionals are non-judgemental, teach you to cope with difficult emotions, and find alternative outlets for spending your time.

I work with many individuals who have either identified themselves as having addiction problems or are still in denial that they have problems with addiction....either to substances or to certain destructive activities. Either way, I work with them so that they have a realistic understanding of the destructive consequences of their actions as well as an empathic awareness of the underlying self-destructive attitudes or beliefs (or life experiences) that may have led to their addictions. Addicts need support to deal with their addictions. There is no one way to get this support, but it is vital that addicts know that they they do need support...group support and psychotherapeutic support.

Addictions can be tricky as they can often fly under the radar if they don't seem to impact other people, such as an individual who exercises to extremes; however, problems arise when addiction(s) begin to impact their social, academic, mental/physical health, financial or professional life. Looking at the difference between merely habit forming behaviors and true addictions can be examined during psychotherapy and looking at benefits and patterns of these behaviors. Supportive measures are key before addictions take over and become the sole purpose of an individual's functioning. I have worked with a number of individuals and psychotherapy can be of a great benefit towards recovery.

Addiction is complex and encompasses many entities. One of them is the participation in an AA program, another one the therapist. I can help on the therapeutic side, as addiction is often connect to underlying trauma. We will work through the trauma and the tools needed, while AA provides the tools required for sobriety. It's an ongoing process, providing growth and stability over time.

Is something keeping you trapped in an addiction? I am not an addiction specialist, although I have experience working with these types of clients. You may need to seek treatment, in-patient, or out-patient, or attend group support, and I can be here to help you determine to take that step or go through treatment. But maybe there are some that have other types of addictions that aren't considered the "usual" in which people seek treatment for. Maybe you are addicted to your electronic device, food, negative habits or negative thoughts, sex/porn and many others and you need help to face the things that are keeping you stuck on that addiction. I look forward to supporting you.

Are you preoccupied with the addictive or dysfunctional behavior of a close friend or loved one? Do you worry about controlling his or her behavior? Do you feel compelled to solve his or her problems? Are you always anticipating his or her needs? I would like to help. Recovery from codependency is possible. When you place another person’s health, love and safety before your own, your own needs and desires can become hidden, lost and forgotten. I would like to help you re-connect to yourself and build healthy and intimate relationships.