Addiction Therapy | Substance Abuse Counseling in Boca Raton, FL

Substance use is on the rise. In Florida, over 7000 people die every year from drug overdose. Even if you’re not using street drugs, other substances and behaviors like abusing alcohol, gambling, and overspending can become very addictive and wreak havoc on your life and relationships.

If you or a loved one are struggling with an addiction, know that you’re not alone – and that you’re not a bad person. Our addiction therapy services may be able to help you.

What is addiction and how does it affect the brain?

Addiction is a complex and chronic condition characterized by compulsive substance use or behavior despite negative consequences. It is often accompanied by physical dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms.

Substance addiction often involves the use or misuse of drugs such as alcohol, opioids, stimulants, or prescription medications, while behavioral addictions may include gambling, gaming, internet use, or compulsive shopping.

Addiction affects the brain’s reward system, leading to changes in neurotransmitter levels and brain function. This contributes to symptoms like:

• Compulsive behavior: People with addiction often find themselves compelled to engage in substance use or addictive behaviors, even in the face of negative outcomes. In other words, they find it difficult to stop.
• Physical dependence: Prolonged substance use can lead to physical dependence, where the body adapts to the presence of the substance and experiences withdrawal symptoms upon quitting. Alcohol and opioid use can lead to such strong withdrawal symptoms that people continue using just to avoid the discomfort.
• Tolerance: Over time, people may develop a tolerance to the substance, requiring higher doses to achieve the desired effect, which further perpetuates the cycle of use. People can develop tolerance to addictive behaviors as well – for example, someone with a pornography addiction may need to spend more and more of their time watching porn for the same effect.
• Impaired decision-making: Addiction impairs cognitive function, compromising an individual’s ability to make rational choices and prioritize long-term well-being over immediate gratification.

What causes addiction?

Risk factors for addiction include genetic predisposition, environmental influences, trauma, mental health disorders, and social factors. Although these factors can raise your risk of developing substance abuse issues, anyone can become addicted.

Having an addiction problem is not a moral failure; substance use disorder is a brain disease, and you deserve treatment just like any other person living with an illness.

How does addiction affect your life?

Addiction can have devastating consequences on your physical health, mental well-being, relationships, finances, and overall quality of life.

Depression: You might find yourself trapped in a relentless cycle where substance abuse fuels feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and profound sadness. Each time you turn to drugs or alcohol, these emotions seem to intensify, making it even harder to break free from their grip.

Anxiety: Anxiety disorders often go hand in hand with addiction. If you live with anxiety, you likely feel constantly on edge, fearful, and agitated. Using substances can make you feel better for a bit, but in the long-run, it makes these feelings worse. The anticipation of using, and the highs and lows of addiction, can also keep you in a perpetual state of unease.

Trauma: Many people turn to substances as a way to numb past traumas or cope with emotional pain. While drugs or alcohol may offer temporary relief, they only serve to deepen the wounds of unresolved trauma. In the end, drugs and alcohol leave you feeling more lost and disconnected than ever.

Impact on relationships: Addiction takes a heavy toll on your relationships and shatters trust, intimacy, and communication. This damage tends to ripple outwards, affecting not only you but also your family, friends, and community.

Codependency: Loved ones often unintentionally enable addictive behaviors and fall into a pattern of codependency that only reinforces the cycle of addiction. This dysfunctional dynamic strains relationships and exacerbates the challenges of recovery.

Financial strain: The financial burden of addiction can be overwhelming, as you funnel resources into sustaining your habit at the expense of basic needs like food and shelter. Debts may mount, and you may even lose employment due to addiction. This financial strain adds yet another layer of stress to an already overwhelming situation.

Diminished self-worth: Addiction can also chip away at your self-esteem and can cause feelings of shame, guilt, and self-loathing. The disparity between what you’d hoped for in your life and your reality can deepen the sense of despair, which can make addiction behaviors even worse.

Loss of opportunity: Addiction can narrow your horizons and limit your ability to pursue opportunities for growth and fulfillment. When you are grappling with addiction, your dreams may feel out of reach and you may feel like you’re not reaching your potential.

Decline in health: Lastly, the toll of addiction on your physical health is undeniable; the health complications that can be caused by addiction — from cardiovascular issues to liver damage – are serious, and sometimes life-threatening, risks.