Therapy for Addiction

Addiction

Addiction strikes people from a variety of backgrounds. People who suffer from addictions are often creative, very emotionally connected, and highly empathetic. But, addiction steals their lives and their joy. It can rip apart individuals and families.

We provide treatment for a variety of addictions at our Salt Lake City, Utah based office. Common addictions can include:

  • Alcohol
  • Illegal drugs: Cocaine, Cannabis (marijuana), Methamphetamine (known as meth), Opioids (such as heroine), Phencyclidine (known as PCP or Angel Dust)
  • Prescription drugs (Oxycontin (Oxycodone) sedatives, hypnotics, or anxiolytics like sleeping pills and tranquilizers
  • Nicotine
  • Hallucinogens
  • Kleptomania (compulsive stealing)
  • Gambling
  • Food (eating)
  • Sex
  • Pornography (attaining, viewing)
  • Technology & Social Media
  • Video games
  • Workaholism
  • Excessive Exercising
  • Cutting
  • Shopping

Addictive thinking is a key aspect of any addiction. Some examples of addictive thinking are:

Justification

“I drink or use drugs for a good reason and I deserve to feel better”

Denial

“I don’t have a bad problem; or, other people are much worse in their addiction; or, I am doing well at work, so I am not addicted, etc.”

Resentment/Blaming

“Other people are the cause of my drinking”

Anger

“The world is not fair so I rage”

Our Approach to Addiction Therapy

Step 1: Our Salt Lake City based therapists conduct an assessment to determine the level of addiction and to evaluate the client’s therapy needs, which can range from:

  • Detoxification
  • Residential Treatment
  • Intensive Outpatient Therapy
  • Outpatient Therapy once a week with Ed in his office

Step 2: We formulate a treatment plan that includes family participation

Step 3: We begin therapy

We then develop a relationship of trust and openness with the client. Once a solid therapist-client relationship has been established, we will:

  • Bring in the family to support the client and to help the client see the effects of the addiction on loved ones
  • Encourage the client to go to 12 step meetings (Such as Alcoholics Anonymous) right away to begin developing a social network of people that will be supportive of their recovery
  • Begin helping the client to gain awareness of his/her addictive thinking (denial, justification, resentment, lack of accountability, etc.)
  • Push the client to take action to move into healing
  • Challenge cognitive distortions
  • Start therapy for trauma that can be a trigger for addictive acting out
  • Work on assertive living and assertive communication (often addicts act and talk in a passive-aggressive way
  • Give assignments
  • Teach the skills of recovery

Our Philosophy About Recovery From Addiction

We believe, as psychologist Carl Rogers did, that for people to heal they need:

  • Genuineness (openness and self-disclosure)
  • Acceptance (being seen with unconditional positive regard)
  • Empathy (being listened to and understood)

We apply this philosophy by possessing a genuine desire to understand each client’s process and their struggle and pain. We try to ensure each client knows they are seen and heard, respected, and honored.

We express acceptance for each client where they are in the moment, and assure the client both verbally and non-verbally that they are important and accepted, We validate the client’s feelings and thoughts. This doesn’t mean approving of the addictive behavior, but rather helping the client understand that that the emotionally protective behavior (part of addiction) is a natural response to proposed change.

We pride ourselves on our natural empathy for others and we use active empathy as an intervention

We apply evidence-based interventions in our addiction therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

Recovery from an addiction is about rebirth. It is about reconnecting to a true self that has been lost. We believe that clients are naturally healthy. Our job is to assist them as they heal and to guide them to develop their own internal therapist. This will help them reclaim their lives and master their thoughts and feelings.

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