Our therapists offer addiction counseling in Long Beach, CA

Addiction Treatment—Counselors and Therapists in Long Beach, CA

Addiction is a widespread disease that has inflicted as many as 21 million people in the US. It is a disease that can be found among the rich and the poor, among both men and women, among the old and the young, and within every religion, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. If you are struggling with an addiction of your own, consider reaching out to Thriveworks Long Beach for help.

What Is Addiction?

The outward form of addiction can look very different in each person. It may appear as a substance that people abuse, like alcohol, prescription drugs, cocaine, food, marijuana and more. It may look like a behavior that is compulsive, like gambling, video games, shopping, pornography and more. The outward form may vary, but what addiction does inside of an individual is always the same. Addiction alters the way people’s brains function.

In real life, those change to the brain look like…

• Moodiness: Addiction often means that irritability, annoyance, and anger are close to the surface. They may flare when an addict cannot get a fix. They may surface because the addict has difficulty with emotional regulation. Moodiness that is regular and uncontrollable is often a sign of addiction.
• Cravings: The addiction takes over people’s lives. Their whole world becomes about the addiction, and addicts often report cravings. They may lust after or dream about the addiction. Cravings become demands, and people often act recklessly to fulfill their cravings.
• Lost Control: People who have an addiction often want to quit, especially when they are not actively engaging in the addiction. Often, they are tried to quit the addiction or at least curb it, but addiction takes control of a person’s life. These attempts to quit, especially when attempted alone, often fail.
• Escalation: The addiction always demands more. It takes more of a substance to feel the same effects. An activity takes more time to deliver satisfaction. Addiction does not remain stable—it escalates.
• Deceit: When there is an addiction, there will also be deceit. The lying may be to keep the addiction a secret. It may be to deflect responsibility or avoid consequences. It may be to minimize the reality of what is happening. Whatever the form the deceit may take, it will be present.

Addiction Treatment at Thriveworks Long Beach

If you recognized some of the signs, symptoms, or lies of addiction, it may be time to reach out for help, and help is available. There are many treatment options for those who are fighting an addiction, and often, early intervention sets people up for a better recovery. Do not wait to hit rock bottom before you seek help. Thriveworks Long Beach has available appointments for addiction.

When you contact our office, you may be meeting with your therapist within the week. We offer evening and weekend sessions. We also work with many insurance companies and accept many forms of insurance. Let’s be allies in the fight against addiction. Contact Thriveworks Long Beach today.