Understanding Substance Use & Addictions
Substance use and addictive behaviors can sometimes feel like they serve helpful or positive roles in the short-term. These behaviors often develop as coping mechanisms to navigate anxiety, social situations, stress, difficult emotions, past trauma, or pain. Sometimes we engage in these behaviours because we like the rush/high, we're more impulsive, or we're simply bored/indecisive and don't know what else to do in the moment.
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At Isaacs Psychology, we view substance use through an evidence-based lens that acknowledges underlying needs and motives without judgment. Struggling with a certain substance or an addictive behavior is something that can be navigated with the right supports in place. Sometimes you might have mixed feelings (or positive feelings) about your behaviours and habits, and we're happy to meet you where you're at with these feelings. We provide a safe, non-stigmatizing environment where you can explore the function these behaviours or habits serve in your life, helping you continue to move toward healthier, sustainable ways of showing up, however this may look for you.
Substances and Addictive Behaviours that We Work With
- We offer support when the following substance are involved:
- Caffeine
-Â Alcohol
- Nicotine
- Cannabis/Marijuana
- Prescription Stimulants (e.g., Vyvanse, Adderall)
- Prescription Sedatives (e.g., Xanax, Valium, Trazodone)
- Prescription Opioids (e.g., Oxycodone, Dilaudid)
- Recreational Drugs (e.g., Cocaine, Psilocybin, MDMA) - We also offer support when the following potentially addictive behaviours are involved:
- Gambling and Gaming
- Digital and Social Media Use
- Shopping or Spending Money
- Sex/Intimacy/Pornography
- Work and Productivity
- Food and Binge Eating
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Impact on Life
- Everyone has a different and unique experience with addictive behaviours. For some, these behaviours seem to align with their life situation and goals. For others, addictive behaviours can feel problematic and negatively impact multiple parts of life. We're here discuss, no matter what the situation may be.Â
- Among people who struggle with substances or addictive behaviours, they sometimes say that it can compromise their physical vitality and mental clarity (e.g., during periods of being intoxicated/high or during hangovers).Â
- Some people note that they have some negative feelings or thoughts tied to their addictive behaviours, and that engaging in these behaviours (or dealing with consequences from them) might erode their sense of self-worth or competence.Â
- Some share that addictive behaviours might feel helpful and relieving in the short-term, but can have negative impacts on their own life and their relationships over time.
- Employees and students often highlight that substances or addictive behaviours can lead to consequences at work or school. Financial and family/social strains may also exist.
How Isaacs Psychology Can Help
Acknowledging any concerns or mixed feelings that you might have about your substance use or addictive behaviours is a big first step toward balance. At Isaacs Psychology, our priority is to create a safe, non-judgmental space where we can explore your behaviours and trajectory together. Through a collaborative process, we work to discuss your situation and circumstances, we review what is currently working for you and what is not, and we look at how past circumstances (like stress, trauma, or social circles) may have shaped your current patterns.
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By utilizing proven, evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing (MI), we empower you to build effective and sustainable coping strategies for life’s challenges. Whether your goal is to reduce your intake, shift your habits, stop use entirely, add in new coping mechanisms, or just change your perspective with your current patterns, we provide down-to-earth support to help you achieve lasting, positive change. There's no right or wrong way to do things; we just want to help you discover what feels the most helpful and healthy for you personally.
Please note:Â Sometimes more intensive supports may be required to navigate substance use or addiction-based concerns when someone's safety or physical well-being is involved. Isaacs Psychology does not prescribe medication and does not provide in-patient, day treatment, or intensive treatment for addictions. We are happy to coordinate with external providers or assist with referrals if medical management, in-patient/rehabilitation services, or more intensive supports could be beneficial for your care.