Addiction Therapy Can Help — Counselors and Therapists in Knoxville, TN
Addictions come in many forms. There are the usual suspects: alcohol, narcotics, nicotine, caffeine. Then there are others, including prescription medications, cannabis, and other recreational drugs. And, there are “nonchemical” addictions including sex, gambling, shopping, and a controversial (but also very real) internet addiction.
Each of these can be treated by seeing a therapist who specializes in addiction therapy. If you think you could benefit from addiction help, reach out to Thriveworks Knoxville today. We can meet with you as soon as this week.
Signs of Addiction
Signs and symptoms of addiction include:
- Obsessions over a behavior or substance
- Guilt and shame
- Negative consequences to self or others
- Failure to control actions
- Patterns of uncontrollable behaviors
- Substance use for a year or more
- Loss of engagement in former interests
- Otherwise inexplicable distance from family and friends
- Increasing patterns of negative behavior or substance use over time
- Mood swings
- Feelings of self-worthlessness or shame
- Impulse control problems with food, drugs, sex, or money
- Strong need to be liked or approved of
- Behaviors or substance use to reduce anxiety
- Inability to manage daily life
Addiction Counseling Tips for Overcoming Addiction
Wellness and safety are the primary concerns when dealing with addiction. When battling an addiction, thoughts of personal safety and social norms become less important than satisfying the urge.
Someone addicted to gambling, for example, might not think twice about putting their family’s finances on the line in exchange for the mere chance of a big win. Daunting credit card debt may not prevent the shopping addict from purchasing that new, must-have plasma screen.
Any person experiencing a disconnect between their actions and the potential consequences to relationships, health, or safety is a good candidate for addiction therapy. At Thriveworks Knoxville, our therapists are trained in addressing the specific issues surrounding addiction. Though reaching out for help may feel intimidating, we will work with you to make the experience as smooth as possible.
How Does Addiction Counseling Work?
In many cases, addiction is a life-or-death scenario. If you suspect someone you love has an addiction, staging a well-planned intervention may be appropriate. It’s important that interventions are planned ahead, as encouraging a loved one to seek addiction therapy can be an emotionally-charged experience. The loved one may not initially respond favorably. Planning ahead—who will say what, planning what treatment options will be presented, and determining consequences if the loved one chooses not to accept treatment for addiction—is key to increasing the chances of success.
Once in therapy for addiction, the patient and counselor will work together to determine what, if any, underlying issues are present that may have influenced the addictive behavior. While processing those issues, the therapist will work with the patient to help them stop participating in the behavior and develop a plan to avoid engaging in those behaviors in the future. In some situations, this may involve psychiatric medication, such as anti-anxiety medication.
Scheduling Thriveworks Knoxville Addiction Therapy
There are many addiction therapists in Knoxville, but it is important to find one who is qualified and experienced in dealing with the addiction you’re facing. An effective therapist will formulate a specific treatment plan to address your problems and will encourage changes that will move you from the depths of addiction to the heights of a healthy, fulfilling life.
If you’re seeking a therapist for addiction, give us a call. We don’t have a waiting list, and can usually see new clients within the week of scheduling. Plus, we offer evening and weekend sessions, and accept most major insurances. We promise you, the high of wellness far exceeds that of any narcotic, and only gets better.
