addiction
“Addiction is a chronic brain disorder and not simply a behavioral problem involving too much alcohol, drugs, gambling, or sex.”
— American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
The relentless search for something outside of ourselves to make us feel emotionally whole and stable is at the heart of all addictions. At Hope Therapy, we have advanced training and experience working with sex and love addiction, chemical addictions, gambling and food addictions. Although putting down the bottle, pornography, or dice, is a vital part of recovery, it's only the first step. Treatment must be personalized and comprehensive in order to see long-lasting results.
HOW WE WORK WITH ADDICTION
Addiction manifests differently in everyone. So that we can get a clear sense of who you are and your difficulties, we always begin treatment with a comprehensive assessment. Our team of experts will then put together a treatment plan that meets your specific needs and goals. We offer a variety of services to help you navigate recovery and monitor your progress over time so that we can make adjustments along the way. Our goal is to help you put together the pieces of your life and empower you to live with integrity, hope and joy.
MORE ABOUT SEX AND LOVE ADDICTION
Unlike addictions to alcohol or other substances, issues with love and sexual compulsivity are hard to identify and understand. Sex and love are a vital part of the human experience. We are hard wired to connect and be intimate with others. When this instinct is disrupted, often due to early attachment traumas, we are left with maladaptive ways of relating sexually and emotionally.
A wide range of behaviors can become dysfunctional and compulsive. Here are just a few:
Masturbation
Infidelity
Anonymous Sex
Obsessive Dating
Toxic Relationships
Pornography
Risky or Unsafe Sex
Cybersex
Exhibitionism
Voyeurism
Massage Parlors
Paying for Sex
Important Note: Behaviors that are problematic for one person can be an integral part of someone else's healthy sexual expression. Our primary goal at Hope Therapy is to help clients develop healthy relationships and sexuality. We are Sex Positive.
SIGNS THAT ADDICTION MAY BE AN ISSUE FOR YOU
Continued Use Despite Negative Consequences: Even though your behaviors are causing significant problems (relationship issues, arrests, health concerns) you don't stop.
Loss of Control: You find that you are engaging in the behaviors more often and for longer periods of time than you intended.
Secrecy: You go out of your way to hide your behavior from those closest to you, and/or feel as though you lead a “double life”.
Neglecting Other Activities: You spend less time doing things that used to be important to you like connecting with friends, participating in hobbies and showing up for family obligations.
Risk Taking: Over time, you become willing to take more risks in order to engage in the compulsive behavior.