Finding A Counselor and What to Expect In Your First Session

You have decided to seek help from a mental health professional. Congratulate yourself and be proud of the courage in taking this step! The motivation from this decision alone will help you move forward and get you “unstuck” and on the right life track.

LIFE TRACK COUNSELING

Understanding Addiction

There are two types of addiction to drugs and alcohol: substance abuse and substance dependence. Regardless of the substance, either type can cause upheaval in someone's life.

Whether it involves abuse of alcohol or drugs (prescription or illegal), addiction can be a scary problem to face. It can also be complicated; symptoms of addiction vary widely from person to person, and determining the right treatment plan can be tough.

It can be difficult to look at our own lives objectively. We may not always recognize how much our struggles are affecting our day to day life. Here are some signs that suggest you could benefit from seeking help.

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Stressful events can affect emotional and physical health. Transitions and challenges can lead to strong feelings of sadness or anxiety. These events include:

Relationship struggles

Job stress or being laid off

Death of a loved one or other loss

Suffering with an illness or injury

Moving to a new home

Getting divorced

Money problems

Outpatient Substance Abuse Counseling

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What Is Addiction?

Addiction is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance (e.g., alcohol, cocaine, nicotine) or engages in an activity (e.g., gambling, sex, shopping) that can be pleasurable but the continued use/act of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities, such as work, relationships, or health. Users may not be aware that their behavior is out of control and causing problems for themselves and others.

Anxiety

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Depression can make you feel helpless, hopeless, or empty and numb; but there’s a lot you can do to change how you feel. With help and support, you can overcome depression and get your life back. The key to recovery is to start small and take things one day at a time. Feeling better takes time, but you can get there if you make positive choices for yourself each day and draw on the support of others.

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Depression can make you feel helpless, hopeless, or empty and numb; but there’s a lot you can do to change how you feel. With help and support, you can overcome depression and get your life back. The key to recovery is to start small and take things one day at a time. Feeling better takes time, but you can get there if you make positive choices for yourself each day and draw on the support of others.

LIFE TRACK COUNSELING

For many of us, relaxation means zoning out in front of the TV at the end of a stressful day. But this does little to reduce the damaging effects of stress. To effectively combat stress, we need to activate the body's natural relaxation response. You can do this by practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, rhythmic exercise, and yoga. Fitting these activities into your life can help reduce everyday stress and boost your energy and mood.

With constant pressure, both internal and external to do more, achieve, excel and be the best we can be, we can miss what life has to offer. We tend to focus on the past or worry or plan for the future, but we often forget about the present. Time whizzes by us while we are busy being busy. The result? Stress, anxiety and a depreciation of life that can lead to depression, overeating, addictions and other mental or physical problems.

LIFE TRACK COUNSELING

In the 1950’s a noted researcher named Hans Selye popularized the term stress for the first time. Selye said: “Everyone knows what stress is, but in reality nobody knows.” Today, however, we are learning more about the underlying mechanics of stress as science helps to unravel the mysteries of emotions.