Substance Abuse Therapy NYC

Drug and alcohol misuse can make you feel out of control, but it doesn’t have to be that way forever. Our NYC therapists can help you engage in your life according to what is most important to you.

Therapy for Substance Abuse in NYC

Substances can lead you to do and say things you regret soon after, and often time lead to not fulfilling your commitments, responsibilities, or maintaining your relationships. Your job might suffer, your romantic partner and family members may suffer, your health may deteriorate- you may suffer in every area of your life. Things that used to be enjoyable may be difficult to do, or may no longer be pleasurable.

If you’re here, you know it doesn’t have to be this way. There is a path forward, and our therapists are here to help.

How Our NYC Therapists Can Help Substance Abuse

Starting treatment can be intimidating. It is important to know we do everything we can to ease clients in to the process of ridding themselves of the suffering of substance abuse, while also addressing emotional issues (anxiety, guilt, shame, embarrassment, anger, and depression), relationship problems, and work performance. We know there is more to the person than substance misuse, which is just one way to cope, that may now not be seen as the best path forward.

There are many different theories of substance abuse and treatments for substance abuse. Twelve Step Programs, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, pharmaceutical interventions, and religious interventions are all common.  There is a great deal of evidence that treatment is effective.  The earlier someone seeks help the better. But, it is vital to be in the care of a professional, as withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous, therefore it is important for a proper assessment to be conducted and treatment plan to be developed.

Types of Therapy for Substance Abuse

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is the approach our NYC therapists seek to reduce the intensity and frequency of a client’s emotional pain, suffering, and self-defeating behaviors. CBT can help clients to cultivate skills leading to goal achievement and life satisfaction by assessing and treating:

  • Cognitions what we think
  • Behaviors what we do and say
  • Emotions how we feel
  • Relationships how we interact with others

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dialectical Behavior Therapy was originally developed by Marsha Linehan for the treatment of individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), but has since been shown to be effective therapy for many concerns.

DBT contains four treatment modes that aim to address five functions. The four treatment modes are individual therapy, group skills training, phone coaching on an as-needed basis, and therapist consultation meetings.

The five functions of treatment include:

  1. Increasing the client’s motivation to change
  2. Enhancing the client’s capabilities
  3. Generalizing gains to the client’s larger environment
  4. Structuring the environment to reinforce the client’s gains
  5. Increasing therapist motivation and competence (Linehan, 1993a).

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is a form of Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT).  It has been applied to various mental disorders, e.g., anxiety, anger, depression, personality disorders, eating disorders, etc. REBT was created by Dr. Albert Ellis. Al Ellis was originally trained as a psychoanalyst and began practicing psychoanalysis in New York City. After working with his patients for some time, he became dissatisfied with the lack of progress they were making. At this point he decided to return to his long-term passion, philosophy, to see if the wisdom there could benefit clients.

He developed the ABC model of emotional disturbance largely based on the work of philosophers who emphasized the role of beliefs and thinking in influencing emotional states.  The REBT ABC model is an acronym that stands for Activating Events, Beliefs, and Consequences. Consequences include both emotional consequences and behavioral consequences. REBT therefore conceptualizes emotional disturbances like anxiety, as a result of the combination of  an activating event and one’s beliefs about the activating event, the self, life and the future.

What is Substance Abuse?

Substance Use Disorder is defined as the use of alcohol, drugs, medications, or other substances to the point where it has become compulsive or dangerous or both. Only a portion of the people who drink alcohol, use drugs, and take pharmaceutical prescriptions demonstrates substance use disorder.

If ingesting a substance or otherwise using it has led to any one of the following symptoms in the same 12-month period, the person in question has met the criteria for diagnosis of substance abuse:

  1. Greatly affecting one’s ability to meet responsibilities on the job or with family
  2. Repeatedly using under potentially dangerous circumstances (while driving an automobile, for example)
  3. Repeated legal problems due to substance use
  4. Continuing to use regardless of interpersonal or other difficulties caused or aggravated by substance use

Common Symptoms of Substance Abuse

  • Failure to meet the demands of one’s social roles.
  • Recurrent use where physical harm may result
  • Withdrawal
  • Significant time and energy lost
  • Disengagement from important life activities
  • Use resulting in legal problems

Substance Abuse Specialists

Meet Our Team

Chief Operating Officer

How Therapy for Substance Abuse Works

Step one

Connect with your therapist by either completing our matching form or reaching out to our care coordinators over the phone.

Step two

Attend a 45 minute intake session, where you will get to know your chosen therapist. The point of this visit is to learn what brought you to therapy and how we can help.

Step three

In each ongoing session, you and your therapist will use trusted therapy approaches to help you develop and reach your goals. Collaboratively, you’ll connect in a safe, comfortable space to help you engage in your life in the way you want.

Contemporary care

Empathetic Experts

Our therapists and coaches have combined decades of experience and are specially trained to provide high quality, compassionate support for your health and wellbeing.

Goal oriented

We’re dedicated to using evidence-based methods to ensure you receive the most effective treatment and meet your goals.

Here to support you

personalized matching

We know that having a better relationship with your therapist leads to better outcomes, so we carefully match you with the right therapist to fit your unique needs.

compassionate care

It’s important to our therapists that you feel safe, seen, and understood in therapy. Our offices are judgment-free spaces.

Are you struggling with substance abuse?

Our expert NYC therapists can help you start your path forward. We’ll offer you a judgment-free space to build the skills you need to effectively reduce your substance use, increase your coping abilities, and live the life you want.

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