Addiction Therapy

Substance use isn’t a character flaw. It’s a learned, reinforced cycle that hooks the brain’s reward and stress systems, especially when life is already heavy. Triggers (stress, loneliness, conflict, celebrations, pain) cue cravings, quick relief follows, and the brain remembers: “Do that again.” Over time, tolerance grows, problems stack up, and shame makes it harder to ask for help.

Whether your goal is cutting back, pausing, or full sobriety (active recovery or sober-curious), you’re welcome here.

Who We Help

• People in active recovery (new or long-term)

• Folks pursuing harm reduction or cutting back

• The sober-curious exploring their relationship with substances

• Individuals with co-occurring anxiety, OCD, trauma, ADHD, or chronic pain

Common Impacts We See

• “I’ll only have one” then losing count

• Using to sleep, take the edge off, or get through social events

• Weekend bingeing or weekday rules that keep slipping

• Hiding use, isolating, or arguing with loved ones about it

• Missed mornings, money stress, or work/school fallout

• Anxiety, guilt, and “why can’t I just stop?” loops

• Mixing meds and substances in ways that increase risk

• Finding that it is the only relief you can get from stress or pain

Themes That Often Show Up (not limited to)

• All-or-nothing thinking: “If I slip, I blew it”

• Perfectionism, people-pleasing, and burnout

• Trauma histories and using to numb or avoid

• Social pressure and fear of being “the only one not drinking”

• Sleep problems and using to knock out or wake up

• Chronic pain/illness and using to push through

Common and Less Common Examples

Common:

• “I don’t drink every day, but when I do, I go hard.”

• Having a secret stash; pre-gaming to manage anxiety

• Cutting back…until a stressful week derails it

• Promising yourself “never again” after a hangover spiral

Less common (but valid):

• Substituting one substance for another and feeling “better, but not good”

• Using only alone or only socially and worrying what that means

• “Functioning fine” on the outside while feeling miserable inside

• Feeling like you don’t “qualify” for help because others seem “worse”

If your experience feels messy or hard to describe, that’s okay. We’ll meet you exactly where you are.

How Therapy Helps with Substance Use

You don’t have to do this alone—or perfectly. We focus on practical tools, compassionate accountability, and changes that last.

• Motivational Interviewing (MI): Clarify what you want (cut back, quit, reduce harm) and your reasons for change.

• CBT for Relapse Prevention: Map triggers, challenge “permission-giving” thoughts, build if/then plans.

• Urge Surfing & Distress Tolerance (DBT skills): Ride out cravings safely (HALT, TIP, 5-minute plans, competing responses).

• Values-Based ACT: Make room for tough feelings while moving toward what matters (health, relationships, work).

• Habit & Environment Design: Change routines, cues, and access; plan safer exits for high-risk situations.

• Sleep & Stress Reset: Replace “nightcap” or stimulant cycles with workable sleep/energy strategies.

• Co-Occurring Care: Treat anxiety, OCD, trauma, ADHD, or pain that often drive use.

• Harm Reduction & Abstinence-Supportive: Active recovery and sober-curious clients welcome. We support goals across the spectrum—cutting back, pausing, or long-term sobriety.

• Medication Collaboration: We don’t prescribe, but we’re MAT-supportive (e.g., naltrexone, buprenorphine) and can coordinate with your PCP/psychiatrist (with consent).

We won’t shame you. We’ll help you build skills, supports, and a plan that fits your life.

If You’re Not Ready to Quit

That’s okay. We can still:

• Track patterns without judgment

• Set safer-use guidelines (dose, setting, mixing risks)

• Create “stop points” and exit strategies

• Strengthen coping so substances aren’t the only tool

• Build a healthy relationship with yourself and triggers

Why Better Minds Counseling & Services?

• Active recovery & sober-curious friendly: Harm reduction or abstinence, we meet you where you are.

• Evidence-Based: MI, CBT/relapse prevention, DBT skills, ACT, and habit design.

• Whole-Person Care: We consider work, identity, culture, body, and community.

• Co-Occurring Expertise: Anxiety, OCD, trauma, ADHD, and chronic pain/illness.

• Virtual & Flexible: Online therapy for adults across DE, MD, NJ, PA, and VA.

• Private-Pay: We can provide superbills for potential out-of-network reimbursement.

Ready to Get Started (or even check it out)?

Whether you’re sober-curious, aiming to cut back, or ready for full sobriety, we’ll help you take the next doable step… today and again tomorrow. You don’t have to decide your end goal today; we’ll explore it together. Contact us here to schedule your free intro meeting with a Better Minds therapist.