Our Services / Substance Abuse

What is substance abuse?

Substance abuse is a condition in which you have an addiction to tobacco, drugs, alcohol, or other substances that are illegal or harmful to your body. With an addiction, it’s often difficult to stop using harmful substances without professional help. 

Seeking counseling with a licensed mental health specialist makes it easier for you to break addictions and optimize your physical, mental, and spiritual health.

What are the symptoms of substance abuse?

The common symptoms of substance abuse include:

• Inability to stop using harmful substances
• Continuously using substances that harm your body
• Feeling high
• Needing more and more of a substance 
• Stealing to get addictive substances
• Work, school, or relationships issues
• Accidents 
• Withdrawal symptoms when you stop using substances

Withdrawal symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, sweating, anxiety, depression, hallucinations, and seizures. Seek treatment if you’re unable to overcome substance use disorder. 

What are the risk factors for substance abuse?

Things that may increase your risk of substance abuse include:

• Family history of substance use disorder
• Depression, anxiety, or other mental health challenges
• Peer pressure
• Drinking or doing drugs at an early age
• Lack of a strong social support system
• Low self-esteem
• Trying highly addictive substances 

Anyone can develop substance abuse, and breaking addictive habits is difficult on your own. See Alvis at the first sign of an addiction to a harmful substance.

How does my provider diagnose substance abuse?

Alvis can diagnose substance abuse after discussing your lifestyle, medical history, thoughts, mood, and emotions. He completes a psychiatric evaluation to determine the type of substance use disorder you have and develop an effective psychotherapy treatment plan.

How is substance abuse treated?

Alvis offers individualized substance abuse counseling, couples counseling, family counseling, and group substance use counseling sessions to help you overcome challenges and break an addictive habit once and for all.

Alvis uses the following psychotherapy methods to help you achieve success:

• Interpersonal process approach
• Wellness coaching
• Attachment theory
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Family and systems theory

He specializes in using the mind, body, and spirit connection to overcome addictions and help you live a healthier and happier life.

To overcome substance abuse, schedule an in-person or video consultation with Alvis Duncan, LMHC. Call the office or request one online today.