Addiction Counseling in Bethesda, MD—Addiction Counselors and Therapists
Addiction isn’t a choice. It’s a mental illness characterized by an inability to stop engaging in a certain activity, be it drinking alcohol, using drugs, gambling, or something else. Those with addiction fail to control their urges to perform the activity due to the fulfillment they long for and obtain from the behavior or substance. The fulfillment, the satisfaction, the familiarity it brings them feels impossible to ignore.
“One of the hardest things was learning that I was worth recovery.” –Demi Lovato
An addiction counselor can help people suffering with an addiction, be it alcohol, another substance, or a specific activity. Their job is to help people manage their symptoms, understand how the substance or activity is harmful, and learn to live a healthy, successful life again. Often, working with a counselor is often one someone needs to manage their addiction and live better.
If you are struggling with an addiction, consider working with an addiction counselor or psychologist at Thriveworks Bethesda. Our counselors have experience working with individuals fighting addiction, and they want to help you too. The ultimate mission at Thriveworks is to help people live happier, healthier, more successful lives. We want to step in and make a meaningful difference. If you’re ready to schedule an appointment, or you want to hear more about our services, call Thriveworks Bethesda at (240) 513-3093.
Identifying Addictive Behavior
As we explained above, addiction is dependence—on a substance or activity, be it alcohol, tobacco, food, shopping, gambling, surfing the internet, etc. Whatever the addiction is, it can have serious physical, emotional, and behavioral effects. For example, if you’re trying to identify addictive behavior, keep an eye out for the following:
- Physical effects of addiction: Potential physical effects of addition include severe weight loss or malnourishment, pale skin, unpleasant odor, and hyperactivity.
- Emotional effects of addiction: Potential emotional effects of addiction include irritability, mood swings, denial, blame, and loss of interest in day to day activities and responsibilities.
- Behavioral effects of addiction: Potential behavioral effects of addiction include isolation, lying to friends and family, irresponsible spending of money, and failing to fulfill duties at work or school.
If you are experiencing any combination of these harmful effects of addiction, consider working with a therapist, psychologist, or counselor at Thriveworks Bethesda. Our providers can take a look at your symptoms and work to develop a treatment plan that will help you manage your addiction. Their end goal is to help you live happier and healthier.
What Can I Expect from Addiction Counseling?
Your journey in addiction counseling will involve talking about your addiction, including but not limited to the symptoms you are experiencing and the negative effect your addiction has on your life. To better understand and identify an addiction: oftentimes, those with an addiction…
- Plan to make a change, but fail to do so over and over again
- Fail their work, school, and personal responsibilities or commitments
- Struggle tremendously in many different areas of their life
If you’ve recognized that you might have a problem, reach out for help. You don’t have to do this alone. An addiction counselor or psychologist at Thriveworks Bethesda can provide you with the guidance and support that you need. If you feel nervous or unsure about seeking treatment, rest assured that counseling is proven to help people who have an addiction. Additionally, counseling helps people who are in recovery to avoid relapse. Your Thriveworks Bethesda Counselor possesses the tools and experience to help you mange triggers of relapse, which might include stress, social engagement, and peer pressure.
Set Up an Appointment with an Addiction Counselor or Psychologist at Thriveworks Bethesda
If you are struggling to control an addiction, be it to alcohol, another substance, gambling, spending money, eating fast food, or something else entirely, Thriveworks Bethesda can help. Our addiction counselors are equipped with what they need to help you find success: mandatory training, impressive skills, and experience aplenty.
To schedule an appointment, just give us a call at (240) 513-3093. We’ll get you scheduled right away with one of our providers at your earliest convenience. You’ll get to choose from a wide variety of appointments, including evenings and weekends.
