“What is addiction, really? It is a sign, a symptom, a signal of distress. It is a language that tells us about a plight that must be understood.” – Alice Miller
Have you been considering whether alcohol or drugs are a problem for you? Are you using drugs or alcohol to cope with the stressors of life? Have others expressed concern about your drinking or drug use? If you have faced these questions, you’ve come to the right place.
Banyan Counseling Collective’s addictions therapists have a wide range of experience with people at all different stages of their substance use and recovery journey. Whether you recently completed inpatient or outpatient treatment or you are addressing your concerns for the first time, we are here to support you on your journey to sobriety.
You may be experiencing behavioral or emotional warning signs listed below that have flagged concern within yourself or your loved ones.
Behavioral Warning Signs of Addiction
- Lying about or minimizing your use to loved ones
- Disconnecting from relationships or isolating yourself
- Relationship issues such as increased tension or fighting
- Missing more of your commitments (work, school, etc.) than usual and facing more challenges in these areas
- Secret keeping
- Financial difficulties
Emotional Warning Signs of Addiction
- Low awareness of your behavior and/or justifying or minimizing your actions
- Loss of interest in activities you once valued
- Increased difficulty managing the challenges in your life
- Increased irritability
- Increased defensiveness
If any of these resonate with you, we would love to meet and talk about your concerns. Together we will make a plan that feels accessible to you. You don’t have to go through this alone and no matter how long you have been struggling, we believe that it is possible to regain control of your life.
Families Affected by Substance Abuse
Addiction is a powerful force that not only affects the user, but their loved ones as well. You may feel tremendous amounts of stress and fear due to your loved one’s addiction. You may also be experiencing feelings of depression and sadness, lack of safety, poor communication and boundaries, confusion over codependency and enabling, and severed relationships. Addiction recovery is usually full of ups and downs, and often includes relapses. This cycle can go on for years and years, leading to feelings of burnout and hopelessness for everyone involved.
It’s time to prioritize yourself once again. Seeking help for yourself while a loved one is experiencing addiction may seem illogical or even selfish, but finding a way to help others often starts with getting help for yourself. It is important to seek support regardless of whether or not your loved one seeks treatment or professional help themselves.
Alongside your BCC therapist, you will learn how to decrease the fear, anger and stress you are experiencing. We can help you uncover healthy coping mechanisms to manage the ups and downs of your loved one’s addiction. We can give you the tools to create healthier communication patterns and work with you to strengthen your relationship helping you navigate and learn about the disease of addiction.
We’re Here To Support You
We understand that taking the first step can be challenging, but you’re not alone.
Contact us today and let’s work together to improve your well-being.