Image of a therapist and client in a counseling session.

778 people sought addiction counseling help in California in the last year

Discover how starting addiction counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

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Starting Addiction counseling

What is Addiction counseling?

Addiction counseling therapists at Thriveworks in San Diego, CA can help people manage their urges to use the substance or engage in the activity they're addicted to. In addition, it can help people manage the challenges that stem from their addiction from relationship issues to problems at work as well as those that their addiction may stem from like trauma.

How does Addiction counseling work?

Addiction counseling at Thriveworks in San Diego, CA works by helping one understand the underlying causes of their addiction, teaching them coping strategies, and recognizing their specific triggers. Long-term or ongoing addiction counseling can also help to prevent relapse.

Is Addiction counseling conducted in person or online?

Addiction counseling at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does Addiction counseling last?

The length of addiction counseling depends on the individual's needs as well as the extent and severity of their addiction as well as the problems that might stem from it. That said, people can make meaningful progress in addiction counseling in the first weeks to months.

Need more help deciding?

Don Draper is the poster-boy for suave. He is the man every woman wants to be with and every man wants to be. For seven seasons, audiences faithfully followed him as the lead character on Mad Men. Don Draper had it all—the powerful career, the money, the women, the booze. As the show explored his life, it became clear that he also had something else: an addiction. The show has received praises for its excellent writing, its deep characters, and also for its accurate portrayal of addiction. As extraordinary as Don Draper is as a character, he is actually a typical addict. Like many others, Draper experienced childhood trauma and loss. Like many others, the addiction falsely promised happiness and escape. Like many others, his charm and charisma were not enough for the addiction—he could hide for a time but not forever. Like many others, Don’s life came down, crashing. Addiction takes and it takes and it takes. Many people today can relate to these dynamics with one important difference: more people today are getting the help they need for addiction than they did in the 1960s. Today, mental health professionals have a better understanding of what addiction is and how it functions and what it means to treat it. More and more, people are getting the help they need for addiction, and they are taking back control of their own lives.

“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 and Don Draper struggled alcoholism, but addiction does not have to look that way. Addiction may look like abusing a different substance—prescription drugs, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, food, and more. Addiction may look like an obsessive activity—having sex, shopping, playing video games, gambling, using pornography, and more. These substances and activities are what most people associate with addiction, but they are only part of the story—the outward form. Regardless of what shape the addiction takes, what is happening within a person is the same: their brains are knocked off balance. Addiction is a terrible disease. More and more, people are reaching out for the help they need, and they are fighting back.

The counselors and therapist at Thriveworks San Diego offer addiction treatment because we have seen many clients recover their lives. Help, healing, and hope are possible in the fight for sobriety.

Addiction’s Many Red Flags

To state that addiction alters the brain is too detached from everyday life. What does it mean that addiction rewires the brain? When people’s brains are not in balance, it shows in the decisions they make, how they feel, and their bodily health. Certain emotional, behavioral, and bodily red flags are indicators that addiction may have taken hold in the brain. These are tangible signs that it may be time to reach out for mental health care:

Emotional Red Flags for Addiction

  • Loss of interest in people/activities that were once valued
  • Irritability
  • Difficulty handling stress (withdrawing from anything uncomfortable or stressful)
  • Being obnoxious, silly, or easily confused
  • Defensiveness
  • Lack of awareness about the problem: denial, minimizations, blame, rationalizations, diversions

Behavioral Red Flags for Addiction

  • Missed work/ personal engagements/school
  • Relationship problems
  • Isolating oneself
  • Financial problems (especially, needing money)
  • Keeping secrets
  • Difficulty in school
  • Lying to loved ones (particularly, to cover the addiction or minimize its harm)

Physical Red Flags for Addiction (In particular, for substance abuse)

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

A quick skim of this list shows the destruction and devastation that addiction can bring to people’s lives. Addiction is destruction and far-reaching, even into the lives of those who love the addict. In a lot of ways, addiction is a parasite. It is a disease that will ensure its own survival through depleting its host. Addiction demands people’s whole lives—their finances, career, health, and well-being. Without intervention, addiction will escalate, often until an individual’s life is in danger.

“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 Treatment at Thriveworks San Diego—Counseling and Therapy

What is happening in your life right now? If you recognize some of the emotional, physical, or behavioral signs of addiction, then it may be time to get help. Know that help is available. Consider reaching out to Thriveworks San Diego. Our counselors have helped many people find the treatment they need to fight their addiction. We work hard for our clients, providing informed and compassionate care. Thriveworks San Diego has appointments available for addiction.

We know that battling addiction is difficult. Scheduling treatment for addiction should not be. When you contact our office, a scheduling specialist will answer and help you make an appointment. You will not reach a voicemail. Instead, you may be meeting with your therapist the following day. We also offer weekend and evening appointments, and we accept many forms of insurance. Contact Thriveworks San Diego today.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our San Diego therapists and counselors accept 25 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Blue Shield of California | BCBS

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Community Health Options

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

  • Humana HMO/POS

  • Humana PPO | EPO | HDHP

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Self-pay costs at San Diego
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

5.0 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I started with Dr. Maddy about 3 months ago and I think that I had my last appointment last Friday,1/12. I really enjoyed talking to her. She is very down to earth and, most of all, she listens. I told her some things a few months ago and she remembered when I was talking with her on Friday. Amazing. We talked about a lot of issues, among them, what would I be working on, my certain issues. I would very heartedly recommend her. I can’t say enough kind words about her.
Read more I started with Dr. Maddy about 3 months ago and I think that I had my last appointment last Friday,1/12. I really enjoyed talking to her. She is very down to earth and, most of all, she listens. I told her some things a few months ago and she remembered when I was talking with her on Friday. Amazing. We talked about a lot of issues, among them, what would I be working on, my certain issues. I would very heartedly recommend her. I can’t say enough kind words about her.
Ann Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks in San Diego, CA is located on Camino del Rio S., off of Interstate 8. We share a building with several other businesses including Sucar and Spice Skincare, America’s Retirement Advisory Group, and Massage by Robert.

Phone number

(619) 480-2140

Languages spoken by CA providers

  • English
  • Farsi
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in PT

Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in PT

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