Addiction

Are you struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol? Do you have other compulsive behavioral problems, such as overeating, gambling, shopping, sex, or money? As someone in long-term recovery from addiction myself, I know how challenging this struggle can be. But I also know that with proper treatment, you can overcome your addiction and lead a full and satisfying life in long-term recovery.

I've worked in the field for addiction for 10 years, specializing in substance abuse, behavioral addictions, and now digital media overuse (gaming addiction, internet addiction, spending addiction, social media addiction, and internet addiction.) While some people only struggle with one type of digital media overuse, many struggle with multiple types of problematic behaviors with technology. It's not technology that is the problem in and of itself, it’s what it replaces that is problematic.

I've spent years of my career developing recovery program for people who use substances to escape or feel better. We will assess the degree of the issue. We do not require abstinence; we move toward harm reduction using motivational interviewing.

Since 2010 I have worked with addiction treatment. Much of my experience is working at an all women's treatment facility as a counselor, a program manager, and a director. This includes working with co-occurring disorders that often are part of the puzzle when solving issues of addiction. I have lived experience in this area.

I am a Licensed Addictions Counselor practicing Harm Reduction, a compassionate and effective therapeutic approach for modifying any type of problematic behavior. You will determine the changes to be made; my role will be to respect your autonomy, learn how a substance or behavior is or is not serving you effectively, and prioritize risk reduction and personal safety.

Welcoming people in all stages of alcohol misuse and addiction recovery, I support healthy inquiry into your relationship to alcohol. Parts of this process inevitably include releasing shame about unhealthy use, finding compassionate insight in order to make changes that will ultimately help deeper healing of the root of this behavioral pattern. I welcome harm reduction and abstinence goals as well as encourage finding a path that works best for you while supporting self honesty and awareness.

As a person in long term recovery, I incorporate the 12 step principles in my therapy. I have 7 years of experience in treating substance use disorders, and how depression and anxiety are often underlying mental health conditions that affect achieving long term recovery.

Addiction is a "relapseable, chronic, progressive and often fatal disease." It affects everyone in the family - so it's "a family disease." Addiction is also a Brain Disease - affecting your thinking, judgment, perception, decision-making, and moods. And then there's "Recovery" & being "Clean and Sober."

Maybe you're drinking a little more than you would like. Drinking can temporally take away our worries or stress, as well as providing comfort and confidence. However, drinking can also numb our feelings and affect relationships, our sleep, cognition, and our health. Together we can explore what you're drinking is providing you, while looking at a moderation management program or becoming sober.

Treating those in early recovery.

Do you find yourself drinking more than you would like to? Are you feeling ashamed about how much you drink or the way that you behave when you drink? Do you want to cut down, but have been unable to do so? Therapy can help, and EMDR Therapy can help you to get at the root of what is causing you to drink. EMDR is an evidenced-based treatment for trauma known for it's gentleness and effectiveness. Visit my website to learn more and set up a free 15 minute consultation. https://jenimarie.org/

I am a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC) in the state of Illinois, having completed a specialized addiction counselor training program in graduate school and accumulating years of experience in the addiction treatment field. I recognize that addiction is most often the result of deep-seated pain, and I work with my clients to reduce the harms associated with substance use, clarify and connect with their substance use goals, and alleviate the pain that underlies addiction.

Addiction is a "relapseable, chronic, progressive and often fatal disease." It affects everyone in the family - so it's called "a family disease." Addiction is also a Brain Disease - affecting your thinking, judgment, perception, decision-making, and moods. And then there's "Recovery" & being "Clean and Sober."

You may have been to treatment or achieved sobriety on your own. But you’re realizing that getting sober isn’t the same as staying sober…and that’s what you really hope to do. You’re likely already aware of some of the stressors or triggers that can arise, and you know how important it is to be prepared to navigate those before you encounter them. Substance abuse counseling is a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive space to help you achieve your goal of long-term sobriety.

Alcohol and other drugs can be so insidious. The pervasive use in our culture makes it really difficult to know if you're just a "normal" person who has a bottle of wine every night or an alcoholic. Where does it cross the line? I have experience helping clients to find their personal line, and set boundaries with themselves. I will never tell you what to do, but I can help you to reduce the harm that substances are having on your life.

Addiction is a "relapseable, chronic, progressive and often fatal disease." It affects everyone in the family - so it's called "a family disease." Addiction is also a Brain Disease - affecting your thinking, judgment, perception, decision-making, and moods. And then there's "Recovery" & being "Clean and Sober." We'll talk...

I began doing work in substance use and addictions in graduate school and have continued to this day. I was the Team Lead of the integrative dual-diagnosis harm-reduction oriented Substance Abuse Treatment Program at the Austin Veterans Administration for 20 years. My speciality is in the recovery process for individuals who's substance use/addictive behavior is tied to significant sources of life trauma/hardship (such as minority stress) and/or other mental health conditions.