Therapy for Substance Use

If you want to know more about how I work with substance use concerns or addictions, please look up Gabor Maté.  He is a renowned physician, speaker, and author who has written extensively on the topic of addiction. Maté's perspective on addiction emphasizes the importance of understanding the underlying causes of addiction, which he believes are rooted in early childhood experiences and social contexts. 

My treatment perspective is consistent with Maté: addiction is not simply a result of individual choices or moral failings, but rather a coping mechanism that individuals use to numb emotional pain and deal with the life stressors. 

Addiction can develop when people experience trauma, neglect, or abuse in childhood, which can lead to a range of negative outcomes such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression.

There is a need for a compassionate and holistic approach to treatment that addresses the root causes of addiction, rather than simply focusing on eliminating the addictive behavior. 

My approach involves a combination of referrals to specific medical treatment, counseling, and social support to help heal from past trauma and build healthy coping strategies.

References:

Maté, G. (2010). In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction. North Atlantic Books.

Maté, G. (2018). The Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Working with Attachment and Addiction. The Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 48(4), 227-233. doi: 10.1007/s10879-018-9419-2