Understanding Substance Abuse
Millions of people struggle with substance abuse. In fact, more than 20 million Americans struggle with a substance abuse disorder. Anyone can affected- young or old, from any background. Whether it's alcohol, medications, or something else, it can negatively impact every area of life, from career to family. First, let’s understand that nobody starts using substances wanting to become dependent. In fact, it often starts as a way to cope life stressors. Those stressors can be anxiety, painful memories, relationship issues and work problems. At first it may feel like substances can take the edge off. It can start casually, but over time, it can sneak up on you and become a bigger problem. I call this “normalized dysfunction” like hanging out with friends drinking, until something occurs that tells us there may be a bigger problem than we realized. There may also deeper issues such as mental health that play a role. It's not just the substance itself; but what’s going on underneath. Bloom and Prospers offers non-judgmental support where you can learn strategies to overcome substance abuse.
Understanding the Cycle
It’s not just about will power. Substances mess with your brain, especially the reward system. They can create strong cravings that make you feel like you need them, despite knowing better. Learning about the cycle of substance abuse can be empowering as it helps you see that it's a complex dynamic and not a personal failing. At Bloom and Prosper we use evidence base treatment like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to retrain the brains reward circuit, assist you in identifying maladaptive thought patterns that drive the desire to use and teach you powerful coping strategies to loosen the grip of addiction. Other effective treatments for substance abuse include Motivational Interviewing which empowers you to find your own motivation and desire to change which enhances your commitment to recovery. Additional sources of recovery include the 12-step model of recovery and SMART recovery.
Your Path toRecovery
If you're struggling, please know that help is available. Recovery isn't a straight line, but with support, you can create a healthier and happier life. Bloom and Prosper created individual treatment plans and works to meet you where you are at and provide non-judgmental support on you journey of recovery.