Parenting is stressful and demanding. We are all pulled in so many different directions, and the Covid-19 pandemic hasn’t made life any easier. Sometimes the daily grind can be enough to “push you over the edge.” Know you are not alone and know there are people who can help.
As a licensed mental health and addiction counselor, I provide therapy for anyone suffering from substance use disorders. Quite often, clients seeking treatment for a substance use disorder will also need treatment for co-occurring issues as well–depression, anxiety or even more serious issues.
I know the clinical side, but I also have experience with the long road to recovery. I have been in recovery for over twenty years, and that experience has afforded me the ability to uniquely understand the challenges of those suffering from addiction (and the suffering of their family members as well).
I have found the best approach is a holistic treatment, which considers all aspects of an individual’s internal and external stressors. After I get a full picture of those challenges, I collaborate with my clients to set achievable physical and mental wellness goals. A healthy mind and body are how we live our best lives.
Understanding when to seek help for mental health and/or substance (alcohol or drugs) use disorders can be scary and difficult. Based on my many years of experience, I have found that you can ask yourself these nine questions to find out if you, or someone you love, may have a problem with drugs or alcohol.
Do you suspect you have a substance abuse problem? Here are the nine signs you may.
- Do thoughts about using drugs and/or alcohol cause you to lose focus on priorities in your life, such as family, school, work, or personal relationships?
- Do you feel compelled to use a substance daily (or even multiple times in a day)?
- Do you feel you need to use more of the substance(s) to give you the relief that smaller amounts used to provide?
- Do you ever feel a need to hide or lie about your using alcohol or drugs?
- Are you starting to experience additional health problems due to your “using?”
- Are you experiencing consequences in other areas of life–at work, at school, or within your family?
- Have things that once brought you happiness dropped off or disappeared because of your substance use?
- Are you having financial issues due to your substance use?
- Have you ever stopped “using” for a period of time and experienced withdrawal issues?
If you feel you can honestly say yes to one or more of these questions, that may be indicative of a problem with substance use. The more answers you say yes to, the more likely you are to be in genuine need of help.
I am here to help! We can work together to determine if you have a substance abuse challenge and what the root of the problem is. Sometimes people don’t even realize they have a problem until they take a step back and are honest with themselves.
If you feel you would like to set up a time to meet me and have a professional assessment, call our main number at 203.883.0464 or email [email protected]. One of our Intake Specialists will contact you and set up an appointment right away.
Eric Anderson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor in the state of Connecticut. He is a Darien Wellness expert on the treatment of mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
