Addiction counseling at West Coast Psychotherapy provides compassionate, non-judgmental support to help you break free from the cycle of addiction. Whether you’re struggling with drug addiction, alcohol dependence, or other addictive behaviors, John provides personalized guidance tailored to your unique needs. Through evidence-based techniques and a collaborative approach, you’ll have the opportunity to build lasting change and live a more balanced, fulfilling life. Start today.
What is Drug and Alcohol Addiction?
Drug and alcohol addiction isn’t about “bad habits” or “poor choices.” It’s a chronic disease that impacts both the brain and behavior. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), addiction is "a chronic disease characterized by compulsive, or uncontrollable, drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences and changes in the brain, which can be long lasting."
Addiction affects the parts of the brain responsible for motivation, reward, learning, and self-control. Over time, it can become nearly impossible to “just stop” because the brain's natural balance has been altered. What starts as a voluntary choice to use drugs or alcohol can turn into a compulsion.
If you’re feeling trapped in this cycle, you’re not alone—and help is available. You don’t have to fight this battle by yourself. With the right support, change is possible.
Signs and Symptoms of Drug & Alcohol Addiction
Addiction affects every part of life—your health, relationships, career, and mental well-being. While the experience of addiction varies from person to person, there are common signs and symptoms that can signal a deeper problem. Recognizing these signs early can be the first step toward meaningful change.
Emotional Symptoms
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Cravings for drugs or alcohol: Strong, persistent urges that feel difficult to resist.
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Feelings of guilt, shame, or hopelessness: Negative emotions that may arise after substance use or attempts to quit.
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Emotional outbursts or mood swings: Irritability, agitation, or sudden shifts in emotional state.
Physical Symptoms
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Changes in sleep patterns or insomnia: Trouble falling or staying asleep due to withdrawal or substance use.
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Unexplained weight loss or weight gain: Substance use can impact appetite and metabolism, leading to body changes.
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Withdrawal symptoms: Symptoms like shaking, sweating, nausea, or tremors when not using.
Behavioral Symptoms
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Neglecting responsibilities: Struggling to keep up with work, school, or family obligations.
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Isolating from friends and loved ones: Pulling away from relationships due to feelings of shame, guilt, or preoccupation with substance use.
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Risky behavior: Engaging in dangerous activities, like driving under the influence or using substances in unsafe environments.
Treatment for Drug & Alcohol Addiction
A Personalized Approach to Healing
No two people experience addiction the same way, which is why a one-size-fits-all treatment approach doesn’t work. Treatment at West Coast Psychotherapy is designed around your unique needs, goals, and personal experiences. The process is collaborative and compassionate, ensuring you’re met with understanding—not judgment
The goal of treatment isn’t just to stop using substances—it’s to heal the deeper issues that fuel addiction and help you build a life that feels stable, fulfilling, and free.
The Addictions Counseling Process
Exploring Attitudes & Behaviors
Addiction isn’t random. It’s often rooted in patterns of behavior and thought. The first step in treatment is to explore your attitudes toward drug and alcohol use and identify your personal triggers. This insight becomes the foundation for change.
Understanding Emotional & Physiological Systems
Addiction impacts the emotional and physical systems of the body. You’ll learn how these systems fuel the addiction cycle and what’s happening inside your brain and body. With this knowledge, you can better understand why change feels difficult—and what to do about it.
Developing Coping Skills & Distress Tolerance
Coping skills are essential for handling stress and anxiety without turning to substances. Together, we’ll develop skills you can use when you feel triggered, stressed, or overwhelmed. You’ll practice techniques that restore emotional balance and build confidence in your ability to manage life’s challenges.
Addressing Co-Occurring Mental Health Issues
Anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health challenges often play a role in addiction. If these issues aren’t addressed, they can lead to relapse. During counseling, we’ll identify and treat these co-occurring conditions to give you a stronger foundation for lasting change.
Addiction recovery is a journey, not a single event. The process is ongoing, but with support, you’ll see meaningful progress. No matter where you are in your journey, you don’t have to face it alone.
Approaches and Components of Addiction Treatment
Recovery isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. Two main approaches are offered to support your healing journey. Whether you’re ready to quit entirely or just want to reduce the harm caused by substances, there’s a path forward.
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These approaches aren’t just theories—they’re supported by key components that help ensure lasting success. Both approaches incorporate core elements like counseling, medication management, and support for mental health issues.
Abstinence Model
For those who want to stop using entirely. This approach requires complete cessation of drug and alcohol use and focuses on long-term sobriety. It's often the path chosen by people ready for a life free from substances.
Key Components of the Abstinence Model​
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Detoxification: Your body clears drugs or alcohol from your system. This process may be medically supervised to ensure comfort and safety.​
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Medication Management: Medications may be used to manage cravings, reduce the risk of relapse, and address any underlying mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression.
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Ongoing Counseling & Support: Therapy is essential for maintaining abstinence. You’ll address emotional, mental, and behavioral triggers that drive substance use.
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Accountability & Long-Term Recovery: After the initial detox, the focus shifts to maintaining sobriety, building new habits, and navigating daily challenges without turning to substances.
The Abstinence Model works best for people who have decided they’re ready to live a life free from substances. But if you’re unsure, you may want to explore the Harm Reduction Model first.
Harm Reduction Model
For those who want to reduce harm, even if they’re not ready to stop entirely.
The Harm Reduction Model takes a different approach. It focuses on reducing the negative consequences of drug and alcohol use, rather than requiring total abstinence. This approach is often used with people who may not be ready or able to quit entirely but still want to live a safer, healthier life.
Key Components of the Harm Reduction Model:​
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No Detox Required: Since total abstinence is not the goal of this model, detoxification is typically not required. However, if at any point you decide to stop using entirely, detox can be incorporated into your plan.
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Medication Management: Medications may still be used to reduce cravings, manage withdrawal symptoms (for those reducing their use), or address mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
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Ongoing Counseling & Support: Therapy focuses on improving your quality of life, regardless of your substance use status. Through counseling, you'll learn to reduce harmful behaviors, understand your triggers, and develop healthier coping skills.
This approach is best if you’re not ready to stop entirely but still want to reduce the negative impact of drug or alcohol use. The goal is to create a healthier, safer lifestyle, even if substance use continues.
Core Components of Treatment (for Both Approaches)
Regardless of whether you follow the Abstinence Model or the Harm Reduction Model, there are key components that support long-term success.
Detoxification
Clearing substances from the body: For those following the Abstinence Model, detoxification is often a necessary first step. It’s the process of clearing drugs or alcohol from the body. This step may involve managing withdrawal symptoms, which can be both physically and emotionally challenging.
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Medically Supervised Detox: Involves doctors and healthcare professionals who provide medical oversight and may prescribe medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent complications.
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Clinically Managed Detox (Social Detox): Non-medical detox that provides emotional support, structure, and a safe space to withdraw from substances.
Important Note: Detox alone is not treatment. Detox clears the body of substances, but unless it’s followed by counseling and support, people often relapse.
Medication Management
A tool to support recovery: Medications are a helpful tool in recovery, regardless of the treatment approach. Whether you’re following the Abstinence Model or Harm Reduction Model, certain medications can support the process.
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Reduce withdrawal symptoms: Medications can ease the discomfort and physical symptoms that occur during detox.
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Curb cravings: Some medications reduce the brain’s desire for substances, making it easier to stay on track.
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Support co-occurring mental health issues: If anxiety, depression, or trauma are present, medication can be part of a larger mental health treatment plan.​
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How Does Medication Management Work?
Medication is best used in combination with counseling, which addresses the emotional, mental, and behavioral aspects of addiction.
Counseling & Behavioral Support
The heart of recovery: Counseling is where the real work happens. After detox (if applicable) and medication management, counseling focuses on addressing the emotional, mental, and behavioral aspects of addiction. This is where you’ll explore past traumas, build coping skills, and create a plan for sustained growth.
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Improve quality of life: The goal of counseling is to help you improve your quality of life, even if that doesn't always mean total abstinence from drugs or alcohol.
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Explore attitudes and behaviors: Examine your attitudes and behaviors related to drug and alcohol use, as well as other addictive patterns, to understand the root causes of use.
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Acknowledge systemic and social factors: Address the role of poverty, class, racism, past trauma, marginalization, and discrimination (based on sex, gender, and sexual orientation) that may have contributed to substance use.
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Address real consequences of addiction: Confront the reality of addiction, including its harmful effects on health, relationships, and overall well-being.
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Build distress tolerance and coping skills: Learn effective strategies to tolerate distress and manage difficult emotions without relying on substances.
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Address co-occurring mental health issues: Identify and treat mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, trauma, or eating disorders that may be contributing to addiction.
What Approach is Right for you?
Not sure which approach fits your needs? That’s okay—you don’t have to decide alone. At West Coast Psychotherapy, both options are available, and John will work with you to find the best path forward. Whether you’re ready to stop using completely or just want to reduce harm, support is here.
General Addiction Treatment for Process Addictions Model
Addiction isn’t always about substances. Many people struggle with process addictions—compulsive behaviors like gambling, shopping, or excessive internet use—that can disrupt their lives in profound ways. While there is debate over whether some behaviors, such as sex or video gaming, qualify as true addictions, the negative consequences are undeniable.
Recognized vs. Unclassified Addictions:
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Gambling Addiction (Gambling Disorder) is the only behavioral addiction currently recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders (DSM).
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Other behaviors, such as sex addiction, risky behavior addiction, and video game or internet addiction, are not officially classified as mental health disorders but are widely acknowledged to cause significant harm when out of control.
Examples and Dangers of Behavioral Addiction
Examples of Behavioral Addictions
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Gambling
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Compulsive shopping
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Internet or video game addiction
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Risky sexual behaviors
These behaviors, when left untreated, can cause significant harm to a person’s health, relationships, and overall quality of life. Behavioral addictions can lead to:
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Decreased daily functioning and performance at work or school
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Isolation from friends, family, and partners
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Financial strain and risky decision-making
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Health consequences, such as exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
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Emotional distress, including guilt, shame, and anxiety
How West Coast Psychotherapy Can Help
Counseling for process addictions focuses on addressing both the behaviors and the underlying factors driving them. Key aspects of treatment include:
Identifying Co-occurring Mental Health Issues
Conditions like anxiety, depression, trauma, or eating disorders often fuel compulsive behaviors. Addressing these issues reduces the need for destructive coping mechanisms.
Healing Unresolved Trauma
Past traumatic experiences, such as abuse, neglect, or bullying, can create emotional pain that manifests in addictive behaviors. Therapy works to heal these wounds.
Building Healthier Coping Skills
Replace harmful behaviors with positive, supportive habits to better manage emotions and life’s challenges.
How Much Does a Drug and Alcohol Counseling Session Cost?
The cost of counseling for drug and alcohol addiction depends on the session type and duration. For detailed information about fees and payment options, please visit the Counseling Fees page.
Start Your Journey to Addiction Recovery Today
You don’t have to face addiction alone. Whether you’re struggling with drug addiction, alcohol addiction, or a behavioral addiction, help is available. John Edwards focuses on compassionate, personalized care that meets you where you are in your recovery journey.
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Take the first step toward healing and reclaiming your life. Schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation to learn more about how addiction counseling can support you.