Chemical Dependency

Chemical dependency (or substance abuse) is a recognized medical disorder referring to the abuse of both legal and illegal substances. What classifies as abuse? If substance use is causing problems such as issues with performance in work or school, or if you use substances in dangerous situations, experience substance-related legal trouble, or if substances creates distress within your relationships, then you are showing strong signs of chemical dependency. Chemical dependency is a complicated matter because each person has their own unique experience with addiction. However, there are many signs that stay rather constant.

Signs and Symptoms of Chemical Dependency Include:

• Using drugs and/or alcohol on a regular basis.
• Need for increased use to get same effects.
• Withdrawal symptoms if you decrease or stop using the substance.
• Lying about how much you are using or drinking.
• Talking a lot about using drugs or alcohol.
• Avoiding family and friends.
• Believing you need substances to have fun.
• Taking unnecessary risks while under the influence.
• Getting into legal trouble related to drugs or alcohol.
• Poor work performance due to substance use.
• Depression and feeling out of control despite physical, psychological, and family problems caused by drug and/or alcohol use.

Sobriety Is Possible: A Story of Addiction, Desperation, and Recovery

Everyone who battles chemical dependency has a story to tell. No one goes through life wanting to be an addict. Something led them to that point, and unfortunately many never seek help. For others, chemical dependency is only a small chapter of their lives. One which God can use to help them grow, and even serve Him. Here is a story of encouragement. A story of a man who’s life was consumed by addiction until he found freedom through Christian counseling and the mercy of Jesus Christ.

Part 1: Addiction

Tim grew up in a loving, Christian home. He had big dreams and did well in school.

Although he was fairly happy, Tim had problems. During early teen years, he began struggling with depression and social anxiety, making him feel isolated from his peers. Tim focused on his studies, never succumbing to peer pressures related to alcohol or drugs.

That changed his first year of college when Tim tried alcohol for the first time. Drinking helped Tim feel more confident, boosted his social life, and offered short-term solutions for his depression. Before long, alcohol became his tool of choice for every problem. Worried about an exam? Have a drink. Nervous about a date? Have a drink. Feeling down? Drink until you don’t feel anything anymore.

Addiction can happen so quickly, that you become dependent before you know there is a problem. Like Tim, many people use substances to deal with hidden problems. Christian counseling for chemical dependency at Tacoma Christian Counseling will provide you with a better understanding of your experience with chemical dependency while providing non-judgmental support each step of the way.

Chemical dependency can damage a person in many ways, affecting both physical and psychological health. While the effects differ depending on the substance, all share a common effect of devastation of mind, body, and spirit. There are many reasons people become dependent on drugs and/or alcohol. Sometimes a person might be curious about how a substance will make them feel, or they might be using as an attempt to free themselves from emotional or physical pain. Whatever the cause, addiction can happen before a person realizes they have become dependent. Once the substance takes hold, they are likely suffering some physical effects of the substance.

Physical Effects of Commonly Abused Substances

Alcohol Abuse

Alcohol abuse is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. resulting in nearly 88,000 fatalities each year. Effects of alcohol abuse include:

• Changes in the way your brain looks and functions, causing changes in mood and behavior.
• Damage to the the heart, causing irregular heartbeat, stroke, and high blood pressure.
• Heavy drinking can destroy your liver, resulting in alcoholic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis.
• Increased chance of certain cancers such as cancer of the mouth, liver, throat, and breast.

Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drugs such as pain killers, stimulants, and sedatives can be very dangerous when used improperly. In 2012, prescription drug abuse claimed over 13,000 lives in the U.S. Common prescription drugs and their effects include:

• Opioid painkillers such as OxyContin and Percocet can cause choking, slow breathing, mood changes, disrupted cognitive function, coma, and death.
• Sedatives and tranquilizers such as Ativan and Klonopin can cause seizures, sleep disturbances, and slowed or irregular heartbeat.
• Stimulants such as Adderall increase your heart rate, cause paranoia, and can result in deadly seizures or heart failure.

Amphetamines, Cocaine, and Heroin Use

Drug use is becoming more and more common, and the number of deaths are rising drastically. For example, the number of people killed annually in the U.S. from Heroin use rose from under two thousand in 2001 to nearly nine thousand in 2013. There are many illegal drugs which people abuse. Three of the most deadly include amphetamines, cocaine, and heroine.

• Amphetamines causes psychosis, changes in brain structure and function, severe dental health issues, extreme weight loss, and death.
• Cocaine causes permanent damage to the heart and brain, psychosis, weight loss, liver, kidney, and lung damage, and death.
• Heroin is a strong opioid. It slows breathing, increases risk of serious infection, damages brain function, causes pustules on the skin, damages teeth, and can lead to coma and death.

Part 2: Desperation

Alcohol ruled Tim’s life. He fell away from his faith, withdrew from family and friends, flunked out of college, and lost his driver’s license due to charges of driving while intoxicated. Tim was in total denial that his drinking was a problem, until one night it almost claimed his life.

Alcohol once offered Tim an outlet for his depression, but now it made it much worse. While intoxicated, Tim attempted suicide and was nearly successful. This experience snapped Tim out of his denial. He needed help, and he needed it now.

In many cases, people have to reach a point of desperation before they are ready to get help. That can make you feel like there is no hope, but rest assured in knowing that there is a way out. At Tacoma Christian counseling, we provide Christian counseling for chemical dependency for addiction to various substances such as those listed above and others including, marijuana, hallucinogens, inhalants, and more. Unfortunately, part of the illness is understanding the negative impact of substance abuse, but feeling unable to stop. Through compassionate and effective Christian counseling, you will gain added support in your fight against chemical dependency.

Drug and Alcohol Addiction and Your Relationships

People often seek Christian counseling for chemical dependency because they grow tired of hurting those they love or, in a major crisis realize that they are about to loose all they love. Addiction to drugs and alcohol can damage your personal and professional relationships. Substance abuse can destroy families, tear away at marriages, and ruin careers. Addicts often find companionship with other addicts, making it more difficult to seek help. Meanwhile, they often push away those who love them. Chemical dependency can cause serious problems for your family including:

• Neglect
• Irrational anger
• Mood swings
• Physical violence
• Verbal abuse
• Financial hardship
• Infidelity
• Traumatized children

The spouse of an addict can suffer from serious emotional damage. In some cases, they become co-dependent, putting the needs of their addict partner ahead of their own. Many addicts lose their marriages completely. Effects chemical dependency can have on your partner include:

• Feelings of abandonment
• Anger
• Depression
• Intimacy issues
• Codependency
• Stress due to increased responsibilities and financial strain

Chemical dependency comes with a variety of consequences for both the addict and their loved ones. At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we understand how hard it can be for addicts to live with the destruction their addiction causes. Through Christian counseling for chemical dependency, we will help you and your loved ones overcome struggles related to your addiction. We also offer Christian family counseling and Christian marriage counseling which might help you rebuild relationships broken by chemical dependency.

At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we are here to help you break from the bondage of addiction. Like other counseling groups, we offer evidence-based therapy and proven counseling methods. What sets us apart is a faith-based approach to healing of the spirit as well as the mind and body. Christian counseling for chemical dependency focuses on the healing power of God and the redemptive promise and mercy of Jesus Christ. God has so much to offer that goes above and beyond what substances can provide. He can lead you to healing and a means for dealing with issues that caused your addiction.

Why Tacoma Christian Counseling?

At Tacoma Christian Counseling, our highly-trained and empathetic Christian counselors are here to help you each step of the way. Some reasons to choose Christian counseling for chemical dependency through Tacoma Christian Counseling include:

• Over 10 years of experience in Christian counseling for chemical dependency.
• Reputable Christian counseling with locations throughout Washington State.
• Individualized approach to suit your unique needs.
• Support for yourself and your family through all phases of recovery.
• Highly trained and experienced in treatment of various forms of chemical dependency.
• Dedication to client-centered Christian counseling and quality service.
• We explore various channels and provide resources to help you reach your goals.

How Christian Counseling for Chemical Dependency Can Help You

Choosing to get help for chemical dependency can be hard. It takes courage to face your addiction, and the road ahead can seem intimidating. Understand that we are here to help you during this crucial time. Whether you are currently using or sober, Christian counseling for chemical dependency can help you reach your goals for sobriety and recovery. Through Christian counseling, you can gain:

• Support and tools for getting sober and staying sober – Our skilled Christian counselors know how to help people like you move from self-destruction to healing. We utilize a variety of tools to help you get the most from your sessions. We will work with your family, physician, and with God to build a net of safety, support, and reassurance so you get the support and help you need.
• Understanding of the underlying causes for your addiction – Chemical dependency is usually a manifestation of deep pain. This can come from many things such as trauma, abuse, or mental health conditions such as depression and mood disorders. Whatever your case might be, we will help you heal past wounds so you can learn to manage your pain without the use of dangerous substances so you can live a happy, peaceful, God-filled life.
• Guidance and support for your family – Families of addicts face a lot of struggles of their own. We will help them understand your chemical dependency, and provide them with support while showing them how they can best help you during your recovery.
• A compassionate and non-judgmental place for self-discovery and growth – Christian counseling for chemical dependency is a great place to find empathy and support. Our aim is to never make you feel judgment, but rather empowerment, hope, and strength through faith-based counseling and the perfect love of Jesus Christ.
• Reassurance and strength through building a stronger relationship with God – Re-connecting with God is one of the greatest things you can do to fight chemical dependency. Our Christian counselors are here to help you pull from the bountiful resources of healing, inner peace, and redemption that only God can provide.

Part 3: Recovery

After a stay at the hospital, Tim began Christian counseling for chemical dependency. Christian counseling for chemical dependency helped Tim break loose the bonds of alcohol dependency. Like most other addicts, Tim had ups and downs, but with dedication and through reconnection with Christ, he was able to overcome. Tim went back to college, rebuilt relationships with his family, became active in the church, and now helps teens and young adults who struggle with depression and alcohol addiction.

One of the most rewarding things about being a Christian counselor for chemical dependency is playing a part in someone’s recovery and re-connection with Christ. Like Tim, you can write a new chapter in your story of addiction. One of healing, redemption, and hope.

Is Tacoma Christian Counseling a rehabilitation center?

At Tacoma Christian Counseling, we provide outpatient counseling services. We do not provide detox services, nor are we a rehabilitation center. We welcome you to talk with us about your individual situation. If need be, your Christian counselor might recommend you complete detox and become medically stabilized before beginning therapy.

Will my health insurance pay for Christian counseling for chemical dependency?

Tacoma Christian Counseling works with a variety of insurance providers. You can contact your insurance provider for information about your coverage, or give us a call to find out which insurances we accept. We will do all we can to work with you to ensure you get the help you need.

How long will I need Christian counseling for chemical dependency?

Christian counseling for chemical dependency is very individualized. That means there is no set number of sessions. Understand that chemical dependency is a chronic-relapse illness. Most experience set-backs, and these times are often necessary for full recovery. Your counselor will help you through the whole process at a pace that works for you. Your Christian counselor will talk with you about your unique goals for treatment and recovery.

Are the counseling sessions confidential?

Yes. Attending Christian counseling for chemical dependency is completely confidential. Everything you say, as well as the fact that you are in counseling is considered protected information. Only in cases where the client shows risk of harming themselves or others can the counselor release confidential information.

Find Relief Through Tacoma Christian Counseling for Chemical Dependency

Getting help for your addiction can be challenging, and many are undecided about treatment in the beginning. We encourage you to come in for a risk free initial session and talk about your issues with someone who understands addiction. From there, you can decide whether you want to continue with treatment. To find a Christian counseling for chemical dependency professional, browse our online counselor profiles, or give us a call at (253) 777-1997.