Addictions Counseling
at Inner Journey Counseling
What is Addictions Counseling?
There are many forms of addictions. There are more widely understood substance addictions such as alcohol and drugs. Other forms of addictions include sex addiction, love addiction, work addiction, gambling, video games and overspending (e.g. retail therapy). I define addiction as doing a behavior (whether it is using alcohol or porn) which harms my life and I still do it. It doesn’t matter how often I do it. I could get blackout drunk every three months and be an alcoholic if I end up losing my job or my marriage and still continue to do it.
I believe that traditional approaches to addiction therapy (e.g. focusing on triggers and relapse prevention) have some value, however, they do not get at the root issue. In my opinion, almost always, the root cause of addictive behavior is underlying mental health issues (e.g. depression, anxiety, trauma, etc.). Think of the addict as having a metaphorical hole in their heart that they are trying to fill with the addictive behavior. It works for a short period, however, the relief doesn’t’ last and it typically has bad side effects.
When I work with a client with addiction issues, I help them identify what the root cause(s) are and work on healing those wounds. While it also helps to work on relapse prevention and to explore support groups (such as 12 step programs), unless the root causes/wounds are healed, I do not believe that the addict can be successful at overcoming their addiction.
How Do I Know if Addictions Counseling is Right for Me?
At Inner Journey Counseling I start out by getting to know you, understanding what is important to you, discovering what your values and strengths are, and identifying what is preventing you from living a life in accordance with those values. Once we have identified these blocks, I use a variety of methods that work together to remove those blocks so that you can express your true self.
The particular approach taken will depend on the individual(s) being treated.
Contact Ron Paul & Inner Journey Counseling
Complete the form below for any questions you have about my counseling and therapy services in Flagstaff. I’ll respond shortly and my hours are by appointment, but please call if you need to reach me sooner.
Call
(928) 380-6130
Address
711 N Beaver St Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Hours
At Inner Journey Counseling, hours are set by appointment and based on client need, please call for current openings and availability. Call today to set your appointment in Flagstaff.