when does use become a problem?

One Question:

I recommend that individuals look at everything they are doing through one question: Is It Working For You?

Highly Functional People:

Most people are able to have an alcoholic drink, a large meal, or buy a Lottery Ticket and do so as a way to enhance a balanced life.

Perspective:

Sometimes individuals lack clarity about their relationship to alcohol or other potentially addictive behaviors. If this area of your life was getting out of control, how would you notice it? Sometimes it is difficult to recognize what what used to be fun is becoming a problem.  

Signs that there might be a problem:

• Have tried to cut down on a substance or a behavior but have been unable to do so? 
• Are you missing assignments or deadlines? Are you accruing late fees for paying your bills by the due date? Are you out of money before your next paycheck?
• Have you been arrested or had your driver's license suspended due to alcohol or other drug use? Are you spending money on attorneys or legal expenses?
• Are your parent(s), partner, or boss expressing concerns about your attendance or performance on the job? Or are you getting comments about being less emotionally available? 
• Do you become angry or upset if one of your important relationships talks with you about your drinking, using or other potentially addictive behaviors?

It might be time to get a consultation with a professional who can help to examine if use is turning into abuse. 

Talk Therapy:

Sometimes people need outside help with looking at how well or problematic a particular behavior is or has become. Talk Therapy can help.

Call Dr. Patti at (949) 842-3454 to schedule an appointment to see if Talk Therapy might help.

•  Examples of Substance Related Consequences:  

• Legal Problems like betting arrested for drunk in public or driving under the influence of a controlled substance. 
• Health Related Consequences from drinking, drug using, or eating disorders.
• Work Problems such as reduced productivity, missing deadlines or being terminated for attendance problems. 
• Relationship Struggles where one partner assumes a care taker role or feels disconnected to the other person.
• Financial Problems where one incurs legal or court costs, gets behind on their financial obligations, inability to save for the future or over spending on a drug or behavior such as gambling.
• LGBTQ individuals often turn to addictive substances or behaviors to cope with the pain of living inauthentically (in the closet). 
• Sexually Transmitted Infections are often contracted when an LGBTQ individual is under the influence of a controlled substance.

Addiction is a condition in which a person engages in the use of a substance or in a behavior for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeatedly pursue the behavior despite detrimental consequences.

• Addiction may involve the use of substances such as alcohol, inhalants, opioids, cocaine, nicotine, and others, or behaviors such as gambling or detrimental eating behaviors.

•There is scientific evidence that the addictive substances and behaviors share a key neurobiological feature—they intensely activate brain pathways of reward and reinforcement, many of which involve the neurotransmitter dopamine.

12-Step Groups are FREE and only you can decide if you can stop or cut-down on a behavior, or if structured help is a logical next step.

•  Purpose: The purpose of the Twelve Steps is to recover from compulsive, out-of-control behaviors and restore manageability and order to your life 

•  Addiction isn't a choice. The concept of alcoholism as an illness was a new concept in 1939 when the book Alcoholics Anonymous was first introduced 

•Meeting Formats: Often available via Zoom, In-Person, as well as telephone meetings.  

•  Al Anon  www.ocalanon.org  (714) 748-1113                    (626) 960-3500

•  Alcoholics Anonymous  www.oc-aa.org                           (714) 556-4555

•  Gamblers Anonymous  www.orangecountyga.com       (626) 960-3500

•  Marijuana Anonymous  www.madistrict5.org                (714) 999-9409

•  Narcotics Anonymous  www.orangecounty.na.org        (714) 590-2388 

•  Overeaters Anonymous  www.oaoci.org                         (714) 953-0900 

•  Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous  www.slaa40c@yahoo.com   

AA The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

GA The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop gambling.

MA The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.

NA The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.

OA The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop eating compulsively.

SLA The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop living out a pattern of sex and love addiction.

AL ANON is a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems. We believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery.

•  Even non addicts suffer consequences from using and family members   suffer as a result of family or friends who engage in high risk  behaviors (drinking, drug use, gambling, over / under eating) .

•  Alcohol and Drug use make recovering from Depression, Anxiety or other mental health issues significantly harder / slower 

•  Inactivity also slows down behavioral health recovery.   30+ Minutes of Cardiovascular Exercise will help one's mood and decrease feelings of hopelessness and despair.

•  Suicidal thoughts and high risk sexual behaviors rise when  someone is drinking or using  

•  LGBTQ youth and adults suffer higher rates of attempted / completed  suicide, depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance abuse  .

If you think a substance or behavior is getting out of control, try cutting down on your own. Some people are able to do this without help.

If you have had one or more unsuccessful attempts at the above, this might be the time to look at your relationship to a substance or a behavior in therapy.

Therapy doesn't take the place of 12-Step Support but they work well together.

There are Out Patient programs that provide insight, accountability and support.

And, there are In Patient programs where you can be medically detoxed and then stepped down to an out patient program or out patient Talk Therapy.