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Phoenix Addiction Counselling Services is a specialized practice in downtown Vancouver, BC, that offers confidential counselling to suppport clients' recovery from alcoholism, prescription and illegal drug addiction, gambling, computer gambling/gaming, smoking and binge eating addictions. Treatment programs are individually designed for each client. We don't charge tax.
- Addictions, including Alcohol,
Cocaine, Heroin, Methamphetamine, Marijuana (cannabis, pot, or grass), Prescription
Drugs, Nicotine, Online Gaming/Gambling, and Casino Gambling are about
trying to satisfy a need that won't and can't be
filled by the compulsive drug or behavior.
- Addiction creates terrible stresses
on health, families, relationships, and work. Because of our years of experience, we are useful as a source of information and support for family dealing with the issues.
- One of the most devastating side-effects
is a feeling of hopelessness and helplessness; that the substance or behavior has the power and that you cannot change. This is not true!
- The good news is that you can get the addiction under control. It requires commitment from you, and
experienced support, but it most definitely can be done. Counselling length will vary, depending on factors such as: (a) how much you are using, (b) how long you have used, and (c) what are the underlying reasons for using, ranging from something as uncomplicated as "using" friends to something as complex as trauma or PTSD.
- Recovery is not only about abstinence
—Alcolics Anonymous uses the term “dry drunk” to describe
those who are no longer misusing substances, but still have not reached a
stage of mental balance. True recovery is to find meaning
and a sense of belonging, to be able to cope with the
joys and sorrows of everyday life, and to have respect
and compassion for yourself.
- Recovery is not a direct, straight-line journey,
but more often a path with detours (slips or lapses). That's why there's a picture of a winding road at the top of this page. The important thing is to learn
from the slips, and to persist, to keep the belief that things can change for the better.
"Sarah. Thank you for your insight. I had given up hope that I could ever lick this addiction, and I was ready to keep on using until I died. You gave me the hope and the tools to pull myself up and to fight the power of the drugs. Now, there is a tomorrow."
There are many reasons for addiction. Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is sometimes the triggering factor. With PTSD, addictive substances and behaviors are often used to numb the overwhelming feelings and memories from the past.
PTSD is mental trauma that has not been processed by the mind, and because of that is still causing problems. Trauma is “Any
event or process that is so overwhelming that it causes
fear, terror, or helplessness, emotional numbing,
and a sense of being disconnected from the world and the
people around you.” It can result from one-time incidents
such as a traffic accident or a robbery, or from long-term abuse or neglect. See my "About Trauma" page for more information.
You can get your life back. I have the training
and the techniques to help you to recover.
Phone 604.836.6840 or e-mail me for an initial appointment
Sarah L. Topham is a Registered
Clinical Counsellor (#1546) in Vancouver, BC, with over sixteen years of experience in
addictions therapy.
Our office location at Nelson and Howe Street (just west of Granville) is convenient to Downtown Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Coal Harbour, Yaletown, and Kitsilano. We are close to bus stops. Pay parking under the building is available.
This addiction counselling website was last updated on August 26, 2010
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