Finding An Addiction Therapist Near Me

Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Erban, LMFT, IMH-E
Updated May 9, 2023by BetterHelp Editorial Team

If You Are Struggling With Addiction, Get Professional Help

If you’re experiencing an addiction, you’re not alone. Over 20,000,000 individuals in the United States have an addiction, and more than 100 people per day die of an overdose.

Of those who experience addictions, about 7% have a mental health condition as well. If you are living with an addiction of any kind, you may benefit from some professional help through an addiction therapist, whether in person or online.

Different Types Of Dependencies

Before you start looking for a licensed mental health professional, understanding the types of addiction may help you find the one that is right for you. Although they're often used interchangeably, dependence vs addiction are two different stages of potentially harmful substance reliance. Addictions can escalate from substance dependency and may apply to the use of drugs, alcohol, or other substances. Both nicotine addiction and caffeine addiction induce the brain to release dopamine, although caffeine causes a considerably lesser release. Addiction can also involve many other behaviors, such as gambling, shopping, overeating, and using one’s smartphone to excess. Often, different mental health professionals specialize in specific addiction types. These professionals are often equipped to take on multiple concerns, especially due to the coexisting mental health disorders and trauma-related behavioral responses that people in addiction recovery may experience.

Alcohol

Drinking alcohol (especially in excess) can lead to alcohol use disorder and greatly increase your risk of developing serious health complications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that over 140,000 adults died each year between 2015 and 2019 because of alcohol-related disease or injuries. These include: 

  • Liver cirrhosis

  • Stroke

  • Hypertension

  • Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

  • Infections

  • Type 2 diabetes

  • Several types of cancer

Alcohol use is legal and common at social gatherings and certain events. This means that alcohol is easy to consume, and problematic use can be easy to ignore or cover up. Alcohol abuse has gone up by 49% since the year 2000, and it keeps rising. One out of every eight adults in the United States meets the criteria for alcoholism according to a study by JAMA Psychiatry. Because alcoholism is on the rise, the toll on America's health care costs is rising as well. You may search for "alcohol counseling near me" on reliable resources online to see nearby options that you can have.

Narcotics

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), about seven million people over the age of 12 in the United States use or abuse drugs. Five million of them are considered to have a drug addiction, and this has been steadily rising for the past two decades. The numbers are up over 8% in the past decade, with marijuana being the most common substance at 70% of overall substance use. If you are not sure whether you or a loved one is experiencing an addiction, there are certain signs you can look for, which include:

  • Lack of motivation

  • Absenteeism at school or work

  • Changes in behavior

  • Appetite changes

  • Hyperactivity or a tendency to talk more than normal

  • A tendency to stagger, stumble, or slur words

  • Poor hygiene

  • Cough or congestion

  • Swelling of the face or hands

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Needle marks

  • Changes in breath or body odors

  • Shaking or sweating

  • Laziness

  • Sleeping difficulties

  • Dilated pupils

  • Red eyes

  • Cravings

  • Lack of interest in other things

Causes And Associated Risk Factors

There are many risk factors for drug and alcohol addiction. For example, drug and alcohol addiction can be genetic or hereditary. Your environment can also be a cause of substance use. If you have been around drugs and alcohol in your home for a long time, your chances of using substances may be higher than average. There are many other risk factors, including:

  • A chronic or terminal illness like cancer

  • Mental or emotional disorders

  • Abusive family dynamics

  • Peer pressure

  • Parents who are neglectful or abusive

  • Curiosity or a desire for experimentation

BetterHelp Can Help

If you or someone you love has an addiction, there is an addiction therapist out there who can help. If you are unsure about if you have an addiction or what specific type of therapy can help, you’re not alone. In your search for a therapist, you can contact BetterHelp with no obligation to ask what type of therapy tends to be best for whatever you are experiencing. 

Certain addiction therapists specialize in different kinds of addictions. For example, some addiction therapists may be best for alcohol or drug addiction, while other addiction therapists may be better for impulse control or behavioral addictions, such as gambling or internet addiction. By contacting BetterHelp, you can ask what type of therapy tends to be most effective for the addiction you’re experiencing and then ask to be matched with someone experienced with that type of therapy.

Overcoming Drug And Alcohol Dependency With A Counselor

"It's getting out of hand, where can I find a substance abuse counselor near me?" Addiction treatment may help you overcome addiction by helping you find your addiction triggers and find better ways to cope with those triggers. If you have been using alcohol or other substances for a long time, you may benefit from the help of a caring physician as well. With the help of a doctor, you may be prescribed medication that can ease any side effects of quitting. Some possible side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and seizures. 

This process doesn’t necessarily have to be carried out at an inpatient facility; depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may be able to go through this process at an outpatient facility or with the help of a therapist. Whatever type of addiction you’re experiencing, you don’t have to navigate this process alone. The good thing about the modern world is that you can just search for "drug counseling near me" on your phone or your computer and there you have all of your options.

Long-Term Treatment

You may benefit from a treatment that addresses all your needs, including medical, mental, and emotional. It is not just about quitting the addictive substance or behavior. It is about addressing your problems holistically, which includes examining underlying concerns and enacting necessary behavior changes to ensure long-term recovery. Counseling or behavioral therapy can be helpful in treating addictions, no matter what you are addicted to. With the help of mental health professionals and treatment providers, such as an addiction psychiatrist or substance use specialist, you may find it easier to reach your goals with respect to your addiction.

Long-term evaluation and therapy may help you stay away from whatever you are addicted to. It is common to experience challenges with staying sober, but long-term counseling and personalized treatment may help with relapse prevention. Some addictive substances cause such severe withdrawal symptoms that the user avoids quitting due to the symptoms. In these cases, hospitalization or outpatient care often includes medications that make recovery easier. For example, if you are experiencing addiction to opioids, medications such as methadone or naltrexone may be provided to help with the effects of withdrawal and relieve cravings. Naltrexone is also sometimes used in treating those with severe alcoholism because it blocks the opioid receptors, lowers dopamine levels, and minimizes cravings for alcohol.

Motivational Therapy

Aside from substance abuse counseling, one method that you can use to treat addictions is motivational therapy. Motivational therapy is a form of addiction treatment that tends to utilize techniques derived from cognitive-behavioral therapy (a form of talk therapy that helps you change thought patterns and behavior). It was specifically designed to treat substance or alcohol addiction from a humanistic perspective. Motivational therapy is a patient-centered method that focuses on motivating the person with the addiction to change negative behaviors through empathy, compassion, and personal accountability. This type of therapy has been found to produce excellent results in treating substance use disorder, especially in use of opiates or other euphoric drugs. Motivational therapy focuses on the stages of change, which include:

  • Precontemplation, when you are not ready to change

  • Contemplation, when you are thinking about changing

  • Preparation, when you are getting ready to change

  • Action, during the change process and therapy

  • Maintenance, which involves sustaining behavior change

  • Relapse, or slipping back into your previous behavior

  • Termination, which means you are done with the cycle and have moved on

Getting Help

There are a wide variety of exercises and treatments that can be effective for addictions and overall mental health. If you are interested in starting on your mental health journey, you can so do through BetterHelp. As mentioned above, there are many potential ways to treat addictions with counseling. One of the most common is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which is particularly well-studied for its online effectiveness. For example, in an extensive review published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, researchers found remotely delivered CBT to be an effective treatment modality. Concomitantly, the study reported that people who lived in rural locations or were unable to make it to in-person sessions were able to get the help they needed due to the convenience and availability of online sessions.

In terms of availability, another potential problem for some, as they seek mental health professionals, is being put on a waitlist. However, BetterHelp pairs most people with mental health professionals within 48 hours. 

Taking on addiction can be a big life step for anyone. Overcoming it may involve finding the right balance of support and treatment. You can take that first step today with BetterHelp. Take a look at the following reviews from other people seeking addiction recovery:

BetterHelp Reviews

“Rebecca is a phenomenal counselor, her background and experience in a few areas like the judicial system and drug and alcohol treatment offers great insight for those who may have loved ones working through those issues. They are highly available, always willing to open additional appointments if you can't find a time that works for you, respond quickly through chat. I would highly recommend anyone interested in working with cognitive behavioral therapy to reach out and see if they are available for a chat.”

“Samuel is an extremely smart man and makes me feel like he cares about me and my mental health. He goes the extra mile in finding me local groups and clinics and refers me to books to read. I still have a long way to go but I’m glad it’s with him. Thank you, Sam.”

Takeaway

If you are experiencing an addiction, you don’t have to face it alone. With BetterHelp, you can be matched with a therapist with training and experience in addiction recovery methods. Take the first step toward a healthier, happier you and reach out to BetterHelp today.

For Additional Help & Support With Your Concerns

The information on this page is not intended to be a substitution for diagnosis, treatment, or informed professional advice. You should not take any action or avoid taking any action without consulting with a qualified mental health professional. For more information, please read our terms of use.
Get the support you need from one of our therapistsGet Started