Addiction Therapists in Carteret, NJ.

You went after work to hang out with friends. You had some drinks or you got high. Everything was fine in the beginning until you noticed that just stopping was no longer easy. I believe that people can reduce or completely stop. The choice is yours to make. There are consequences to working me; you may decide you don't need to be high or drunk to enjoy yourself.

I have successfully helped clients with a variety of addictions including eating disorders, substance abuse, compulsive shopping, compulsive exercise, gambling addiction, and sex addiction. I often work in conjunction with 12-step programs or other support groups, as guided by the needs and preferences of the client. In addition to helping clients stop the addiction that is hurting them at the moment, I help you to understand the origin of your addiction so that you can attain a more permanent recovery. By helping to you see the psychological motivations, you are empowered to work your program more effectively. Instead of transferring from one addiction to another, you develop strategies to

I have many years of helping people make life changes that they choose for themselves. I'm not here to nag or pressure you to do anything. You probably already have people in your life who can do that for you quite well. I'm here to help you explore what is going on for you, whether a substance or behavior might be hurting more than it's helping, and what steps you think might be useful. I have knowledge to share but most important is your own expertise on yourself and your life. I'm good at having helpful conversations and helping you figure things out.

Addiction usually stems from trauma. Feelings from trauma can be so crippling and painful that clients see no choice other than drowning the pain in addiction. Addiction numbs the pain. My primary goal is to create a safe space for clients to find the trauma that they have buried deep so we can revisit it, process it, feel the pain, make space for the feelings associated with it which ultimately heals it bit by bit. When a client can do this over time, the addiction releases its grip since it’s no longer afraid of the pain that it had to numb all this time.

Addictions are complicated. They arise for a number of reasons -- biological, psychological, experiential and environmental. Different types (e.g., drug, sex, and gaming addictions) pose different risks. And they are frequently accompanied by other mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety and trauma. Due to this complexity, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. I will work with you to understand the severity of your addiction; the factors that drive it; its interaction with other mental health issues; and its effects on your well-being, relationships, work, and life. This way, we can address it appropriately, along with whatever other struggles you may be experiencing.

This is an area of treatment where I have seen many miracles. Successfully moving beyond substance dependence and abuse is not a matter of will power and character. Addictions are very 'sticky' and nine decades of research and experience confirms that attempting to keep them in check without help does not work. Twelve step programs (AA, NA, CA, etc) are the ‘gold standard’ of recovery, and are tried and true methods of achieving lasting abstinence. I possess a strong 12 Step program background, but know it is very helpful to be introduced to recovery properly to feel at home. Come for a consultation and see what is possible.

I show people who are misusing substances that overcoming an addiction is quite possible. I emphasize work and practice at coping skills. I first help the individual to judge only their self-defeating behavior but never to put themselves down as a person for being addicted. This helps reduce guilt, shame, anxiety and denial. We focus on developing coping skills to handle problems and change behavior. I show the individual how to develop emotional and behavioral control even when life is difficult and stressful. I teach how to increase frustration tolerance. I lay out a specific plan for coping with temptation. I build and maintain motivation for staying with the recovery process.

I help my clients become aware of how they protect against their feelings. These are called addictions We can use anything as an addiction if our intention is to avoid our feelings or to use something to make us feel worthy. I can help you manage the loneliness, helplessness and heartbreak that you may be avoiding with your addictions. Once you know you can handle your feelings then you no longer have to protect against them and can let go of your addiction.

What do you do if 12-step based treatment and AA or NA aren’t a good fit for you? You may want to explore cutting back on your drinking. You may not be ready to stop using marijuana but need support to look at how using is impacting your life. You may know you need to stop, and are abstinent, but need help to develop a long-term recovery plan with alternatives to AA or NA. A good life without drugs or alcohol is possible with or without 12-step meeting attendance.

One area of "addictions" I work with is in the sexual arena. However, I view this from a lens of "out of control sexual behavior," rather than an addiction lens. I see this behavior as a symptom of something deeper in the person's history and what is happening in their life, and together, whether individually, or in the context of couples therapy (or both), we explore this. Understanding what is underneath the sexual behavior, is a step toward being able to manage it differently. Regarding substances, though I am not a specialist in this area, substance use issues emerge with clients who come for other things, so I am comfortable working in this arena, and will make referrals if needed.

I can help clients who want to change their relationship with alcohol. I am not a specialist in medical detox or advanced addiction and recovery--those concerns should be handled by a specialist. But I can work with clients who want to set goals to drink differently and pursue healthier approaches to reducing stress, connecting with others, or healing from grief and trauma. We'll take the approach of "what are you drinking about?" and go from there. I'm here to help you every step of the way.

While most treatment approaches to addiction include 12 step progams, rehabs, and now sober living houses, Grey Matters International, Inc. provides a wildly successful alternative to traditional models of addiction treatment----that keeps the brian in mind. That is, talking to the conscious brain while the primal brain is deciding things even before you are consciously aware? well, that is the problem to solve in addiction. We have the solution utilizing a new cutting edge neuroscience-centered brain rebalancing system. Contact kevin@kevinflemingphd.com or call 877-606-6161

Sometimes consuming drugs, food, alcohol, sex, among other things soothe anxiety or satisfy emotional hunger. However, when the roots of the anxiety and emptiness are not addressed, consumption and use have a fleeting effect, leaving you at a loss and in need of consuming or using more, and the cycle continues. As a therapist, I will help you look at the roots of your addiction: together we will do the hard work of searching underneath layers of denial and understand the wounds and pain that lie at the core of your addition. There is no magical wand that would make addictions disappears, but there is caring understanding that will help you find new ways of dealing with wounds and pain.

My approach for addictions counseling consists of utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and a great deal of mindfulness and mediation. I prefer the holistic and spiritual approach to overcoming addiction challenges and highly suggest the addition of 12 step support groups as well as addictions counseling. I provide a safe and nonjudgmental environment for clients to be open about their experiences and work together to find inner peace and cultivate change.

There are all kinds of addictions, from substance abuse to internet pornography. In each case, the bottom line is that a person is dealing with feelings of depression, anger or anxiety in a destructive way. They drink, gamble or look at pornography whenever they feel stress, but do not face the feelings that are causing the stress and work through them. I encourage addicts to make use of 12-step programs in combination with psychotherapy. When they stop denying and commit themselves to both, they quickly make progress.

Our credentialed music therapists tailor sessions to each individual, utilizing personalized music exercises and interventions to address each person's unique symptoms of addiction. Our music therapists work with each client using musical elements like songwriting, processing, and guided imagery to help clients find their own voice and learn new coping skills to help manage addiction of any kind and severity.

Individuals in the process of recovering from substance use can learn how to prevent relapse, identify and process triggers associated with substance use, learn interpersonal and emotion regulation skills to navigate life in recovery from using substances and assist in developing a positive support system. Individuals can learn about treatment and recovery from substances.

Are you struggling with substance abuse/dependence? Do you find yourself in dangerous situations? Do you have substance-related problems with your family, courts, work, school and relationships? Spending more time searching than on your life? Is the pleasure gone for you and all that remains is facing the problems of withdrawal? Step forward - reverse negative and unhealthy addictions. Change behaviors and beliefs that push continued addiction. Free yourself and enjoy your friends, family and your life. For a free consult, contact Dr. Jean Eljay.

Addictions range from alcohol and drugs to internet, money, gambling and many other challenges. Do you find yourself struggling to get back on your feet only to fall right back down on your face even harder than the last fall. You cannot do it alone. Willpower is helpful but it is not enough for many forms of addiction. It is time for you to admit that you need help and support to get to recovery.

It is both a challenging a empowering road when it comes to recovery from addiction. It takes commitment and willingness to start moving toward healthy change. When you are ready for that step, I am here to support you on a healing journey. Therapy will uncover self-destructive beliefs or habits (addictions/ patterns) that prevent you from feeling a sense of freedom and purpose. I also work with family members of those struggling with addiction. When addiction is present in a family, it has a profound impact on the entire family system. I aim to help individuals understand the addiction cycle and implement a recovery process that works best for you.

ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) can be adapted for addiction treatment by exposing individuals to triggers associated with substance use while preventing the typical compulsive response. Through repeated exposure to these cues, clients learn to tolerate cravings and resist the urge to use substances. ERP for addiction targets maladaptive patterns of behavior and helps individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms. By breaking the cycle of avoidance and compulsive substance use, ERP promotes long-term recovery and enhances overall well-being.

I am a licensed clinical social worker, licensed alcohol and drug counselor and have a sap credential. I have worked in a treatment facility, 27 years in a school district as a substance abuse coordinator and have also worked in a state prison. Through out all these years, I have worked with all populations and all addictions. There is not one approach. I tend to be eclectic. I am passionate about helping people and offer an environment that is supportive in implementing pathways to healing.

Drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling, love, food, netflix etc. WORK! You would not use them to survive feelings that are otherwise unbearable, if they didn't. Unfortunately, there is simply never enough, or the consequences become dangerous and/or intolerable. Eventually the feelings of neglect, isolation, alienation, paranoia and loneliness return. Treatment for addiction will allow you to accept your feelings and your past so that you can regain control over your life and choices, heal relationships, and restore your sense of esteem, dignity and agency.

I focus on providing support for individuals in recovery from addiction, helping them maintain sobriety and build a healthy, balanced lifestyle. My approach involves equipping clients with effective coping strategies, fostering personal growth, and reinforcing the skills they gained during treatment. While I do not work with individuals actively battling addiction, I offer guidance to those in recovery, emphasizing relapse prevention, personal accountability, and long-term emotional well-being to ensure sustained progress and a fulfilling life post-addiction.

The purpose of Addiction Counseling is to help the client identify for him or herself if there is an addiction present. If this is the case, a variety of cognitive behavioral techniques are utilized as well as mindfulness exercises to help with focusing and how to cope with difficult emotions in healthy ways to become abstinent. In addition, there is a focus on stengths, and what the client has done in the past to abstain from using the substance of choice. Thus, the client can try and implement at least some of these techniques again and stay away from triggers and past negative behaviors that led to relapse. There is also focus on self-esteem building and how to prevent relapse in the future once the client is abstinent.