Therapy for substance abuse in Detroit

As a certified substance abuse professional, I work with clients who are either addicts or substance abusers.

Substance abuse is not always synonymous with addiction. In addiction, a person is so caught up in the need for the alcohol or drugs, that there is no sense of control whatsoever.

A substance abuser, on the other hand, may utilize alcohol or other drugs only occasionally, but it has caused a problem such as a DUI (drinking under the influence) arrest.

Addiction therapy in Detroit

When I work with addicted clients, they agree to attend a 12-step group, or something similar. I ask for verifiable proof that they are attending.

I also have clients write a goodbye letter to their substance of choice. If someone has relied on alcohol or something else to get him or her through life, leaving that is like letting go of a friend.

When clients follow through with these activities, they show me (and themselves) that they are willing to let go and have life be different for them.

When someone is addicted, I see him or her more than once a week at first. Substance abusers, by contrast, may see me just once a week when the crisis hits, and then may taper off as they make progress in therapy.

Healing the root of addiction and compulsive behavior

One of my clients was cross-addicted to alcohol and crack cocaine. She attended AA three times a week, and I saw her every other week.

She had a great support system and knew her triggers. She was also able to differentiate between healthy and not-so-healthy AA meetings.

This woman and many other clients find that therapy is still needed to heal what is going on underneath an addiction. For instance, some clients were victims of sexual molestation or physical abuse as children.

Self-medicating to relieve depression

These and other substance abusers often have depression. Their drug and alcohol use was a cheap and easy way of medicating themselves. For them, it was "therapy in a bottle."

Chemicals are not the only things people can abuse or cause addiction. I also work with gambling addicts and others who are into behavior that interferes with their quality of life.

These clients, too, find that the combination of support groups and therapy work well for them.