Therapy for Addiction in Denver, CO—Counselors

J. D. Vance’s best-selling Hillbilly Elegy details his life growing up in small-town Ohio. J. D. chronicles a number of challenges he faced personally, one of which was growing up in a home where a parent is an addict. J. D.’s mother, like many other addicts, experienced childhood trauma—verbal abuse and physical violence are detailed in the book. Also like many people who have an addiction, the illness brought incredible pain to J. D.’s mother as well as their entire family. J. D. also chronicles the physical and verbal abuse he experienced, and for his safety, J. D. had to leave his mother’s home. His grandma raised him. J. D.’s experiences are by no means unique, unfortunately. Addiction can destroy an individual’s life as well as their loved ones.

Addiction is a disease, and like other serious illnesses, it often requires community support and interventions. Addiction can take an individual’s health, family, finances, career, and even life. Fighting it is worth the effort, and there are effective options for treatment. People can and do take their dreams and their lives back from addiction.

“I got sober. I stopped killing myself with alcohol. I began to think: ‘Wait a minute –
if I can stop doing this, what are the possibilities?’
And slowly it dawned on me that it was maybe worth the risk.”
― Craig Ferguson

Craig Ferguson’s story is not unique either. Many people are beating addiction and living their lives. The possibilities for healing are endless and within reach. How can people like Craig beat addiction? One of the best places to start is personal therapy. Counseling has helped many people understand their addiction, their triggers, and how to rewire their brain.

Thriveworks Denver provides therapy for addiction because our counselors and therapists believe in healing, sobriety, and recovery. We have worked with many clients who were ready to take the risk and start recovery.

Addiction’s Red Flags

Addiction can look like abusing a substance: cocaine, opioids, alcohol, marijuana, and more. Addiction can also look like a compulsive behavior: shopping, sex, video games, Internet, and more. On the surface of a person’s life, the addiction can look varied and different, but what is happening below the surface is the same. Addiction changes the balance in people’s brains. Individuals experience an influx of reward hormones when they use the substance or participate in the activity. The imbalance can to compulsivity.

While addiction is fundamentally about how the brain functions, there are signs within people’s real life. Certain behaviors, physical signs, or emotional states are particularly telling that an addiction may be developing. As you read through these red-flags for addiction, think about your own life. Do you recognize anything? Either in your own life or in the life of a loved one?

Behavioral Red-Flags of Addiction

• Lying to hide one’s behavior (especially to loved ones).
• Disconnecting from relationships and activities—isolating oneself.
• Relational problems—fighting, tension, strain, worry, and more.
• Regularly missing school or work or personal engagements.
• Work or school challenges—low grades, poor review, or being fired.
• Hiding and keeping secrets.
• Financial difficulties (especially needing money).

Emotional Red-Flags of Addiction

• Lacking awareness about one’s behavior: denial, minimizations, blame, rationalizations, diversions.
• Loss of interest in people/activities that were once valued.
• An inability to handle stress or challenges in life.
• Irritability.
• Defensiveness.
• Being obnoxious, silly, or easily confused.

Physical Red-Flags of Addiction

• Weight loss.
• Repetitive speech.
• Excessive sniffing while not ill.
• Being undernourished or pale.
• Red eyes, dilated pupils.
• Being hyperactive or lethargic (depending upon the drug).
• Body odor that is unpleasant or different.

If you recognized any of these signs within your own life, know that seeking help sooner rather than later is often important while treating addiction. It is easy to see from these red-flags that addiction can cause significant destruction within people’s lives. Early treatment may mean some of the more serious consequences of addiction can be diverted and offset. Skilled counselors can often guide their clients toward healing treatments and how to rewire their brain for sobriety.

“What is addiction, really? It is a sign, a signal, a symptom of distress.
It is a language that tells us about a plight that must be understood.”
– Alice Miller

Addiction Counseling at Thriveworks Denver: Setting Up an Appointment

Are you battling an addiction? Is someone you love fighting? If so, you are not fighting alone. There are 21 million people in the United States fighting an addiction, and many more who are living in sobriety. Support networks and treatment plans are available. The therapists and counselors at Thriveworks Denver want you to know that…

• Addiction is not a choice—We know that you did not choose the addiction, just like no one chooses to have cancer. Treating addiction is not as simple as choosing to stop the addiction. Treatment focuses upon support and care, not willpower.
• Addiction is not a weakness—Addiction strikes many different kinds of people—young and old, women and men, poor and rich, every ethnicity, every religion. Addiction is an illness, not a character trait. Treatment focuses upon healing, not blame.

If you are ready to work with a therapist, the staff at Thriveworks Denver is ready to work with you. When you call our office, you may have your first appointment the following day. We also accept many forms of insurance.

Let’s fight addiction together. Call Thriveworks Denver today.