substance and behavioral addiction counseling for teens and adults
Addiction and substance abuse Charlotte NC is a mental disorder that affects 21 million Americans. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive use of drugs or alcohol despite harmful consequences and long-lasting changes to the brain. This can also extend to behaviors with harmful consequences. If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction it can be a difficult battle to win, one that many don’t as addiction kills thousands of Americans every year.
In 2016, drug overdoses killed over 63,000 people in America, while 88,000 died from excessive alcohol use.
Addiction tears apart families, destroys marriages, breaks friendships, ends careers, and takes lives. It threatens a person’s basic health and safety. Anyone can develop a substance use disorder at any time, although a few factors can make one more prone to addiction. Those with other mental health problems can be more likely to develop a comorbid addiction. An unstable or stressful environment can increase the risk of developing a substance use disorder. This is most true for teenagers whose brains are still developing judgment, critical thinking skills, decision making, and self-control.
Approximately 20% of 12th graders reported binge drinking in 2014.
Teens are very much at risk of developing an addiction. Half of all new drug users are under the age of 18. Although not all drug use by teens develops into addiction, experimentation is a normal part of being a teen. However, drug use in teens also leads to other risky behavior, like unprotected sex and dangerous driving. Drug use also contributes to teens developing adult health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and sleeping disorders. The earlier teens start using substances, the higher the chances of continuing and developing substance use problems later in life.
Combining behavioral therapy with medications, if available, is the best way to combat addiction for most patients. With the help of a professional addictions counselor, you can work through thought processes and behavior patterns to develop healthy coping skills and avoid relapse. At Bright View Counseling, we provide substance and behavioral addiction counseling for teens and adults.
60% of people who are treated with cognitive behavioral therapy for a substance use problem are able to maintain their recovery for a year.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 6 in 10 substance abusers also have a mental disorder.
The path towards overcoming addiction starts today at Bright View Counseling! We want to help you or your teen with the mental challenge that comes with breaking addiction and finding a balanced life again. Many teens and adults that struggle with drug abuse also suffer from comorbid mental health disorders such as depression or anxiety. Behavioral therapy can help address the physiological issues that lead to drug and alcohol abuse.
At Bright View Counseling, we employ a unique method we call “Therapy With A Twist!” Our strategy involves integrating the use of non-traditional learning tools, activities, and games. We also love to take advantage of the natural world and the therapeutic effect it can have by including outdoor activities. Taking therapy into the outside world can open up your mindset on what is possible and allows patients to more easily get in touch with their thoughts and feelings. Our office dog, Charlotte, also loves to come in to help patients who are comfortable with dogs!
We incorporate our “Therapy With A Twist!” method depending on what each individual client is most comfortable with and what works best for them. This style is especially well suited to working with children and teens.
With the ongoing desire from many patients to continue with virtual therapy, we have adapted our methods so we can still achieve the effect of “Therapy With A Twist!” while participating in teletherapy. We have clients participate in sessions while sitting outdoors, go for virtual walks, and participate in games and activities virtually. We’ve even done virtual fishing with a client! It all depends on what works best for each individual.
Bright View Counseling was founded in 2020 by therapist Michael Clark-Borenstein, LCMHC (Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor), to provide therapy and counseling services that break the mold to clients in Charlotte, North Carolina. With the help of Austin Nedved, LCMHCA, and Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist Associate, they bring the best addictions and mental health counseling to the Charlotte area.
At Bright View Counseling, we believe in a person-centered and holistic approach to therapy. Though we still utilize many traditional therapy practices, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality Therapy, and mindfulness. We also employ our signature style with the “Therapy With A Twist!” method.
Our counseling style is particularly suited to children and adolescents, although we have clients from every age group. Ideal clients are typically ages seven and up. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to, drug and behavioral addictions, anxiety, depression, ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and life stressors and changes.