Fredericksburg VA Addiction Counseling

Addiction Counseling in Fredericksburg, VA

One of the reasons people seek addiction counseling and therapy is because they can’t stop even if they want to. The urge is too strong to control, although they know the substance is causing them harm. When people start taking drugs or drinking alcohol, they don’t plan to get addicted. They like how the drug makes them feel, believe they can control how much and how often they take the drug or drink. However, substances change the brain, and people need them just to feel normal—and it can quickly take over a person’s entire life. There are other types of addictions, such as gambling, shopping, food, the internet and sex—also called process addictions. These addictive behaviors can be just as debilitating as those associated with substance addictions.

Addiction counseling and therapy at Thriveworks in Fredericksburg, VA has helped many people with a variety of issues. Qualified therapists help their clients learn new emotional skills, as well as a game plan to practice these new skills and embrace habits to lead an enjoyable and fulfilling life. Thriveworks’ therapists can help people with addictions overcome trauma and guide them to build better relationships, and it starts here.

Whether the addiction is prescription drug use, substance abuse or a process addiction, Thriveworks’ professional therapists can guide individuals through tough times and seemingly insurmountable odds. Some of the most common reasons for addictions are:

Sex Addiction

Sex addiction, also known as hypersexual disorder, is a way of medicating feelings and/or coping with stress to the level that the individual’s sexual behavior becomes the major coping mechanism in their life. They often can’t stop the sexual behavior for any great length of time by themselves. In addition, they spend a lot of time in pursuit of sexual behaviors, fantasies or a binge of sexual behaviors. Persistent and escalating sexual thoughts and acts result in a negative impact on the individual’s life. The sex addict struggles to control or postpone sexual feelings and actions, and most do not know how to achieve real intimacy. This result is an individual who forms little or no attachment to sexual partners.

For the sex addict, the quest for sex even trumps the importance of family, career and personal health and safety. The preoccupation with sex increases in energy and time, with the sex addict acting out their desires. This is followed by feelings of denial, shame, despair and confusion. Effective treatment for sexual addiction requires addressing both the compulsive behavior and the underlying issues that may contribute to it.

Shopping or Spending Addiction

Some people develop shopping addictions because of how their brain feels while shopping. As they shop, their brain releases endorphins and dopamine, and over time these feelings become addictive. According to Shopaholics Anonymous, there are several types of shopaholics: compulsive, who shop when they feel emotional distress; trophy, who are always shopping for the perfect item; people who want the image of being a big spender and love flashy items; bargain seekers who purchase items they don’t need because they are on sale; bulimic shoppers, who are caught in a vicious cycle of buying and returning; and collectors, who don’t feel complete unless they have one item in each color or every piece in a set.

Food Addiction

The same reward and pleasure centers of the brain that are triggered by addictive drugs like cocaine and heroin are also activated by food, especially those rich in sugar, fat and salt. Once people experience the pleasure that is linked with increased dopamine transmission in the brain because of these foods, they quickly feel the need to eat again. The reward signals from highly palatable foods can override the signals of fullness and satisfaction, and many people keep eating even when they are not hungry.

People with food addictions lose control over their eating behavior and find themselves spending excessive amounts of time involved with food and overeating or anticipating the emotional effects of compulsive overeating.

Eating more and more, only to be satisfied less and less, people with food addiction continue to indulge despite negative consequences, such as weight gain or damaged relationships. When addicted to food, people have trouble stopping their behavior even if they want to or have tried numerous times to cut back.

These examples are only a few of the many reasons people turn to addictions. Whether the addiction is drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, the internet, food or shopping, there is help. Call Thriveworks in Fredericksburg, VA at 540-322-5424 to schedule a session or to find out more about how addiction counseling and therapy can help you get on the road to a healthier, stronger you.

Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

People Love Our Providers!

Overall Rating: 5★★★★★ based on 16 5 1 16 reviews. See all reviews
Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

Best therapist I’ve ever had

★★★★★
I had the best luck with finding Krista! She helped me through so much. The doctors were quick to put me on several medications which made me feel worse with my anxiety and depression. So she helped me find different natural ways of coping. She had the best advice, it was honestly kind of a sad day when I realized I didn’t need her anymore. But I know who I’m going back to if I ever need someone to talk to again! Krista if you see this please know you helped save my life! Thank you!
Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

Office Manager

★★★★★
I called and spoke with the office mgr Sandra on the phone..Man! She kept me laughing as she worked hard to accommodate my request, but due to my work schedule she could not find a good time for me, but she was so professional and pleasant , patient on the phone..i will definitely be calling back to Thriveworks to schedule an appointment as soon as my schedule allows..
Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

Client

★★★★★
Colette was very easy to talk to and going to her has helped me tremendously. Would highly recommend to anyone else in need of a therapist!
Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

Client

★★★★★
I just want to say that since beginning counseling at Thriveworks that it has been the best choice I could have made for myself. I know everyone goes into counseling with their own ideas of what to expect from their counselors. But Thriveworks Fredericksburg has the most comfortable atmosphere, my counselor is Amazing, and the staff is professional every time I call to schedule my recurring appts! If you need help Thriveworks Fredericksburg is the place to call! All I can say is kudos to Aimee K! Thank you!!
Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

Excellent Staff!

★★★★★
The Thriveworks Team was PHENOMINAL! They were extremely professional and made me feel very comfortable. The counseling services I received was Exceptional!
Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

Happy with everything except the 48 hr cancellation policy.

★★★★☆
Happy with everything except the 48 hr cancellation policy. 24hrs is pretty standard and more feasible when you have children.
Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

I’m very relieved to have finally started therapy sessions with Robert.

★★★★★
I’m very relieved to have finally started therapy sessions with Robert. It’s taken me a while to make this move towards dealing with some outstanding hurts. I’m certain I’ve come to the right place.
Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

Had a great first session with Annu.

★★★★★
Had a great first session with Annu.
Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

Great service all around.

★★★★★
Great service all around. I would definitely recommend Thriveworks in the future.
Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

Professional and helpful

★★★★★
Colette Brooks is the consummate professional in coaching and providing services. Ms. Brooks is approachable, non-judgmental, and extremely resourceful. She has a willingness to go above and beyond in an effort to help individuals over-come the many challenges life brings with it. Ms. Brooks is one of the most caring providers you will come across.
Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

A Divine Amazing Encounter with Colette Brooks”

★★★★★
When I first spoke to Colette Brooks, her coaching skills was nothing short of divine, amazing and full of discernment. She was able to ask all the right questions and listen attentively to my ideas and turn my dream ideas into a business idea that I am more than overjoyed to be currently pursing. I am elated that I met her and it also did not hurt that she lead me to a degree where I am saving thousands of dollars per year. I am more than impressed with her coaching, counseling and 20 plus years of Human Resources and business knowledge. She is the real deal!! I know that my life, those ideas I had that linger within me that I was afraid to step out on and my family/legacy that I want to leave behind will forever be grateful to her kind, graceful wisdom and also her patience.
Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

Everyone is very

★★★★★
Everyone is very nice and patient there. I appreciate all that they do.
Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

**

★☆☆☆☆
Person answering phone who claims to be office manager, not helpful at all. Kept cutting me off as I was trying to explain my situation. Upon learning no new patients being accepted by the one counselor that specialized with our situation. I then asked if there was someone a director or another counselor I could maybe speak to for advice as to another facility, option plan or next step. But according to her she was the one with the know with all and that I would be told the same thing by them, that there was no availability at that location, (not what I was asking). My advice would be to be considerate of people calling we are most certainly dealing with pretty difficult situations and if this is the first person at the forefront taking the calls I wonder how many others have been left disappointed and needing help?
Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

It was Great

★★★★★
It was great ! Thank you for your help can't wait to see you again.
Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

First session went great

★★★★☆
I think we have a couple more sessions left..but our first session went great.
Thriveworks Counseling Fredericksburg

Mrs

★☆☆☆☆
Just called. You state no waiting list on website. The first thing I was asked was about insurance coverage and second is can we put you on a wait list? How long is the list? Oh probably January. Like the middle end or start of January- no idea! No thanks
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Thriveworks Counseling

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  • 701 Kenmore Ave #105,
    Fredericksburg, VA 22401

  • Mon-Fri:8AM-9PM
    Sat-Sun:8AM-5PM

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