Empowered Life Therapy believes in living as the authentic self with balance, hope and resilience. If you or someone you care about is contending with substance abuse, we offer a path back to peace through therapy that welcomes you and grows with you wherever you might be on the road to recovery.
As we move further into the 2020s, the U.S. continues confronting notable challenges with substance abuse.
Recent studies have indicated that:
approximately 73.6 million Americans aged 12 and older reported using illicit drugs in the past year, equating to about 25.5% of that population. (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA])
an estimated 46.3 million individuals had experienced a substance abuse disorder, with only 6.3% of them receiving treatment. (National Institute on Drug Abuse)
in 2024, 80,391 Americans died from drug overdoses. While this represents a noteworthy decrease from 2023, it is still far too many lives lost. Overdose remains the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18–44. (CDC)
Consider also that according to 2024 SAMHSA data, of the 40.7 million adults 18 and older with a substance abuse disorder who did not get treatment, 95.6% did not perceive a need for it. Their reasoning included:
belief they should handle the problem themselves 75.5%
not ready to start treatment 65.0%
not ready to stop/cut back on substance use 59.5%
Many individuals who struggle with substance abuse may also have a mental-health condition such as anxiety, depression, ADHD or PTSD.
By definition, a substance abuse disorder is a compulsive or chronic relapsing condition that causes a dependent mental or physical need for a habit-forming substance such as alcohol or narcotics. Withdrawal or abstinence from the substance can often produce harmful or distressing physical, social or psychological effects.
The addiction advances by starting as a soother for a personal problem and then evolving into a survival mechanism. The substance gains command of the self by rewiring the brain with new neural pathways that create a trap in a circuit.
In the beginning, the substance provides an often welcome sense of escape, relief, energy or confidence. Over time, however, the price it will ultimately require for that provision makes itself known through:
increasing anxiety, stress and depression
less ability to feel pleasure or calm naturally
more conflict, relationship strain and social isolation
substance cravings and dependence
loss of personal control
return from the substance use to a harsher reality
lowering sense of purpose and self
Those who struggle with a substance abuse disorder might also find themselves with:
financial, legal and health problems
greater fatigue and worsening sleep
the need to lie and manipulate
Healing from a substance abuse disorder is challenging because the grip of addiction can be intensely compulsive. In many cases, mere willpower can fall short when confronted with the powerful need developed in the body and mind.
Returning to freedom and peace is guided by changes in the individual's emotions, thought process and, in some cases, environment and relationships.
Becoming addicted to a substance is not a matter of personal weakness or an irreparable character flaw. It often arises from complex factors that can steer a person to seek an external solution to discomfort. Those factors can be biological, social, cultural and economic.
Biological: Brain chemicals, especially dopamine; family history of addiction or mental illness; prenatal complications; chronic pain; an overactive amygdala or an underactive prefrontal cortex
Social & Cultural: High stress levels at work, school or home; peer pressure; family or relationship problems; glorification of drug or alcohol use in media and popular culture; living in a high-crime or low-income community
Economic: Loss of a job or insurance; being unemployed or overworked; having limited financial resources; lack of means to travel to proper rehabilitation and care
At Empowered Life Therapy, we receive each new person just as they are and help them regain control and clarity with the approach that adjusts to their circumstances.
An individual struggling with substance abuse may contend with barriers blocking the way to healing and stability. Depending on the person, we might support him or her in transcending the obstacles that can interfere with treatment of a substance use disorder.
Some of the aspects that may be overcome include:
stigma & shame. Normalize treatment by framing a substance abuse disorder as a medical condition, not a moral failing. Encourage openness and vulnerability by establishing a safe and confidential therapy setting without judgment.
denial or lack of readiness. Engage motivational interviewing (MI) to help the individual explore their thoughts, motivations and reservations about treatment.
limitations. If needed, establish sliding-scale fees or income-based payment plans. Facilitate access to treatment by assisting with understanding of insurance or available Medicaid coverage. Offer virtual counseling to help make therapy more accessible.
perception of relapse. Educate that relapse is sometimes a part of the recovery process, not a failure. Identify triggers and coping strategies to reinforce relapse prevention. Provide resource referrals for post-treatment support (e.g. sober living, alumni groups, ongoing check-ins).
co-occurring disorders. Treat any other condition that may be present with substance abuse, such as anxiety, depression or ADHD. If needed, communicate and coordinate with other support specialists such as other psychiatrists, doctors or addiction experts.
The path to peace and healing at Empowered Life Therapy begins with the intake session in which we meet with the client to learn what he or she is experiencing and now wishes to change.
The intake session can often include the following specific components.
Welcome & Orientation
Discuss what to expect from therapy, including client rights, confidentiality rules, limits of privacy and the structure of the treatment plan.
Comprehensive Assessment
Review substance use history (substance types, quantity, regularity, duration, past attempts to quit); current mental and physical health (medical conditions, medications, psychiatric history, co-occurring mental-health conditions); social background (family, work, education, living situation, any legal issues).
Functional Assessment
Discuss how substance use may be affecting daily life, relationships and responsibilities.
Setting Goals & Planning Treatment
Discuss the individual's goals and desired outcomes for therapy; begin defining short-term and long-term objectives; set the frequency of sessions.
The first step in healing from substance abuse is being honest with oneself that a problem exists. That self-awareness can open a door to a future of greater peace.
Substance use is not a lifelong weight to bear. It is a treatable condition, and approaching therapy is a choice to return to the authentic self we're meant to be.
At Empowered Life Therapy, we welcome you just as you are when you step through our door. This begins a relationship in which we listen to you with interest and compassion.
As we grow together in your recovery, we will discuss and develop the therapeutic approaches that will best shape progress according to your specific circumstances.
Different therapeutic approaches for treating a substance abuse disorder might include:
understand core emotions being masked or medicated
identify triggers and their fleeting nature
separate from a false identity
reduce stress, anxiety and depression
restore mental and emotional balance
develop and nourish self-compassion
If it will be a meaningful asset to the client, we also offer family therapy that helps to heal relationships and strengthen support systems for recovery.
If you or someone you care about struggles with substance abuse and you'd like to learn more about how to heal and grow, we care, and we are here to help guide a change. To learn more about our therapy or speak with a substance abuse counselor, call us today at (630) 842-6585 or complete our contact form.
Empowered Life Therapy offers evening and weekend therapy sessions by pre-determined appointment.
