Sarah is the picture of perfect and always has been. She earned straight As all through school, has a growing career as an accountant, has run an Iron Man, and now has two little girls to raise with her devoted husband. On the surface, Sarah had a perfect life but anyone who took the time to know her saw a different picture.
Sarah has struggled with crippling anxiety for as long as she can remember and she has coped by using alcohol for nearly as long. She hides her drinking from everyone as best she can and feels alone in her substance abuse. Sarah’s husband is concerned but doesn’t know what to do.
Sarah has wanted to stop for a long time now. She knows that with every drink, she is impacting her career, her relationships, and her health. Sarah keeps telling herself… tomorrow, I won’t do it. I won’t drink. However, addiction is not about willpower or choices or self-control. Addiction is an illness that often requires treatment under the guidance of a licensed professional.
Many people, like Sarah, experience addiction as substance abuse. They may abuse opioids, prescription drugs, cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, food, or more. Other people experience addiction as a compulsive activity. They may not be able to control how much they shop, play video games, gamble, use the Internet, or have sex.
If you’re struggling with substance abuse or other addictive behaviors, it’s important to know that help is available. Healing from addiction is possible. The therapists and counselors at Thriveworks in Seattle, WA have helped countless clients find the treatment they need, and they look forward to doing the same for you.
When you’re ready to restore balance and control to your life, reach out to our licensed mental health professionals to get started.
Common Signs of Addiction
When we say that addiction changes the brain, what does that mean? In short, addiction can cause the brain to flood with pleasure hormones so that you feel substantial reward (more than normal) for engaging in the addiction while your natural self-control mechanisms are bypassed.
Addiction can look different from person to person. However, people struggling with addiction tend to exhibit some of the following symptoms.
Physical signs of addiction:
- Weight loss
- Hyperactivity or lethargy
- Red eyes or dilated pupils
- Repetitive speech
- Excessive sniffing while not ill
- Looking undernourished or pale
- Body odor that is unpleasant or different
Behavioral signs of addiction:
- Experiencing difficulties in school
- Isolating oneself
- Missed work/school/personal engagements
- Keeping secrets
- Relationship problems
- Lying to loved ones (especially to cover the addiction)
- Financial problems (particularly, needing money)
Emotional signs of addiction:
- Defensiveness
- Being unable to handle stress
- Irritability
- Loss of interest in people/activities that were once valued
- Lack of awareness about the problem (denial, rationalizations, minimizations, blame, diversions)
- Obnoxious, silly, easily confused
Depending on the way addiction rears its head in your life, you may notice significant damage to your relationships, your career, your finances, your physical health, and your mental health. Intervention is often required to stop this downward cycle and help people find stability in their life once more.
If you’re ready to make a change in your life, consider scheduling an appointment with us today at Thriveworks in Seattle, WA.
Risk Factors for Addiction
Millions of people in the United States alone suffer from addiction. While addiction can afflict anyone at any time, certain people are more vulnerable to addiction’s grip than others. Family and genetic history of addiction play a big role in its development, for example, as do environmental circumstances.
When looking back to when addictions first develop, people often recall an element of peer pressure. The behavior in question may begin as a way to relax with friends, fit in with a social group, or gain acceptance from colleagues. Emotional trauma or abuse can also play a role, causing people to explore certain behaviors in order to numb the pain and find relief.
No matter your reasons for struggling with addiction, our therapists and counselors are here to help you gain control of your life again. Connect with our team to schedule an appointment at Thriveworks in Seattle, WA today.
Start an Addiction Treatment Program in Seattle, WA
If you are struggling with addiction, you don’t have to go it alone. The first step in recovering is reaching out for support. When you are ready to begin therapy, Thriveworks in Seattle, WA is ready to help.
We offer in-person and online appointments seven days a week. In fact, when you contact our office, you may even be able to meet with a therapist or counselor the very next day. We accept many different forms of health insurance and provide an exclusive list of perks when you sign up.
Call Thriveworks in Seattle, WA today to schedule your first appointment. We look forward to helping you live the life you want to live.
