Addiction can affect every part of your life—your thoughts, emotions, relationships, physical health, and daily functioning. Whether it involves substances or behaviors, addiction often leaves you feeling stuck in patterns that are difficult to change despite your best efforts. You may experience loss of control, shame, secrecy, or frustration as the behavior continues to interfere with the life you want to live.
Individual addiction therapy offers a safe, confidential space to better understand these patterns and develop practical, effective ways to regain control and move forward.
If addiction feels like it’s taking over or holding you back—especially if you’ve tried to manage it on your own or through past treatment without lasting success—you’re not alone. Many people seek therapy after realizing that willpower alone isn’t enough and that deeper support is needed.
Our practice specializes in evidence-based approaches to addiction treatment designed to address both the behavior itself and the underlying emotional, relational, or psychological factors that sustain it. Research consistently shows that therapy is one of the most effective tools for long-term recovery because it goes beyond abstinence—helping you build insight, skills, and confidence for meaningful, lasting change.
Common Substance-Related and Behavioral Addictions
Addiction can take many forms, and it doesn’t always look the same from person to person. Some addictions involve substances, while others involve behaviors that become compulsive and difficult to control. In therapy, we focus less on labels and more on how these patterns are affecting your life, relationships, and well-being.
Common substance-related addictions may include:
Alcohol use
Recreational drug abuse
Illicit drug use (such as opioids, stimulants, cannabis, or benzodiazepines)
Prescription medication misuse
Nicotine or vaping
Common behavioral addictions may include:
Gambling
Pornography or compulsive sexual behaviors
Work
Internet, gaming, or social media overuse
Food-related compulsive behaviors
Shopping or spending behaviors
Many individuals experience more than one addictive pattern or struggle with addiction alongside anxiety, depression, trauma, or chronic stress. Therapy provides a space to understand how these patterns developed, what they are meeting or protecting against, and how to move toward healthier, more sustainable ways of coping.
Often, these are signs of addiction or compulsive behaviors:
Difficulty controlling or stopping substance use or behaviors
Strong urges, cravings, or preoccupation
Increasing use or intensity over time
Continuing despite negative consequences
Secrecy, shame, or guilt related to use or behavior
Irritability, restlessness, or mood changes when unable to engage
Using substances or behaviors to cope with stress, emotions, or numbness
Relationship strain, trust issues, or isolation
Difficulty concentrating or staying present
Feeling stuck, hopeless, or disconnected from your values
What We Work On
In individual addiction therapy, we focus on understanding both the addictive behaviors and the patterns that maintain them. Areas of focus may include:
Understanding addiction patterns Identifying how addiction shows up in your thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behaviors, as well as recognizing triggers and high-risk situations.
Cravings, urges, and compulsive behaviors Developing tools to manage urges, reduce impulsive behavior, and respond more effectively to cravings.
Substance use and behavioral addictions Addressing alcohol or drug use, prescription misuse, gambling, pornography, sexual behaviors, internet or gaming overuse, and other compulsive patterns.
Emotional regulation and distress tolerance Learning healthier ways to cope with difficult emotions such as anxiety, shame, anger, loneliness, or numbness without turning to substances or behaviors.
Avoidance and escape patterns Understanding how addiction may function as a way to avoid pain or stress, and building alternative coping strategies.
Shame, guilt, and self-criticism Reducing shame-based cycles that reinforce addiction and strengthening self-compassion and self-understanding.
Relationship impact and repair Exploring how addiction affects relationships, communication, trust, and boundaries, and working toward healthier connection.
Co-occurring mental health concerns Addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, or stress that often co-exist with addiction.
Values, goals, and identity Clarifying personal values and rebuilding a sense of purpose and direction beyond addiction.
Relapse prevention and long-term recovery Creating sustainable strategies to maintain progress, respond to setbacks, and support long-term recovery.
Our Approach
We use a collaborative, evidence-based approach to addiction therapy that integrates:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to identify and change unhelpful thought and behavior patterns
DBT skills to improve emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and impulse control
Motivational Interviewing to strengthen motivation, readiness, and commitment to change
Trauma-informed care to address underlying emotional wounds
Solution-Focused Therapy to support practical, goal-oriented change
Together, we focus on both reducing harmful behaviors and building a fulfilling, balanced life in recovery.
What to Expect
Individual addiction therapy is a collaborative and personalized process designed to meet you where you are. Sessions focus on understanding how addiction functions in your life, developing practical coping strategies, and strengthening your ability to manage urges, emotions, and stress.
Through therapy, you can gain insight into the deeper patterns driving addiction, learn healthier ways to cope and respond, and rebuild confidence in your ability to make meaningful change. The goal is not only symptom reduction, but long-term recovery, resilience, and alignment with your values.
If you’re struggling with addiction and would like support, we invite you to reach out to schedule a free consultation.