Programs and Services for Individuals

Specifically Addressing Those who suffer From Addictive Disorders - Substance Users and Behavioral Addictions

Your life is troubled by your own or a loved one’s abuse of addictive substances, gambling or other excessive behaviours.  The pain and suffering you endure is immense.  Addictive disorder has left a trail of destruction in your life; ruined health, shattered security and damaged relationships are but the tip of the iceberg.  The consequences you face bring you to your knees in what seems to be an endless series of crises, dashed hopes and broken promises. You’re stuck in the quicksand of ambivalence and sinking further every day.

What you are feeling is completely normal and understandable.  
Feeling stuck and resistant is how we all feel in this situation.

You do not have to face the demons by yourself!   

I encourage you to begin the process of enquiry by asking yourself three very basic questions.  Answer them thoughtfully.

1. Where am I now in my life?
2. What do I want and why am I not getting that?
3. What do I think will happen if I choose to stay stuck in ambivalence?

Here is Your Solution 

I can help you end the suffering and helplessness for good.  You can and will regain control of your life and you will be able to begin the work of restoring health, security, love and relationships. Your confidence and self-esteem will grow stronger and you will feel your sense of personal power returning to help you sustain your changes

Of course there will be some discomfort and you’ll need help and support to stay on track.  All of that I provide.

These aren’t idle promises. You have the power to end the helplessness and despair you feel right now.  Freedom from suffering can be yours. It can happen for you just as it happened for me.

On the other hand,  if you decide to do nothing you will be choosing a life of the status quo that’s causing you so much pain and suffering.

 Let me tell you how I can help you resolve that pain and move forward to where you want to be.

How do the Programs at Addiction Alternatives Help Me Resolve My  Pain and Move Forward to Where I Want to Be?

Therapy is a collaborative process. We are a team. During individual counselling sessions you and I draft a plan that articulates your needs, wants and short and long term goals. We decide together what changes need to be made, if any, and what specific strategies will help you achieve your goals. The plan that we devise together becomes our roadmap to success and facilitates our work together as we…

• Identify your strengths and resources.  Everyone has them and they can be used to help you reach your goals.
• Develop a true understanding of your problems and how they influence the choices you make
• Help you understand your struggles have resulted from an attempt to use behaviours or substances to create good feelings or find relief from pain.
• Help you understand the power of your thoughts and feelings
• Answer those questions that have been gnawing away at you.
• Confirm what changes, if any, you wish to make.
• Establish your goals and objectives in a time-sensitive manner.
• Identify and acquire the skills, techniques and problem-solving strategies needed for goal attainment.  What hasn’t been working in your life indicates the areas we need to work on.
• Determine what problems or potential areas of difficulty can be anticipated and avoided with appropriate advance planning.
• Anticipate challenges and develop strategies and techniques to help you cope effectively with setbacks.
• Develop techniques and skills that will encourage the maintenance of your new, more positive behaviours.
• Rebuild your self-esteem and self-confidence.
• Establish healthy and balanced lifestyle practices to promote your progress and restore health.
• Help you rebuild your relationships, develop positive leisure pursuits and increase your social supports.

During the Counselling Process....

• I will not impose a label or insist on a goal.
• You have control and ownership of the changing process.
• You decide on the changes you wish to make and the objectives and goals you wish to set.
• Recommendations and options may be suggested but the choices and decisions are yours.
• You will be encouraged and supported in the decisions you make.
• My efforts are directed toward providing an emotionally safe, accepting and empathetic environment in which you will be able to identify, reach and maintain your goals.

How are Programs at Addiction Alternatives Different From Others I Might Choose?

We are very different than our competitors. You don’t have to pick a program that offers one or two of your ‘must-haves’ and sacrifice the rest. 

Addiction Alternatives provides you with:

• Expertise – Addiction Alternatives is accredited through the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation.
• A private setting
• Only evidence-based, best-practices are utilized for your success.  Programs proven to WORK.
• Programs and services are Non – 12 Step.
• You have immediate access.
• Your phone calls are promptly returned. (Guaranteed within 24 hours.)
• Program appointments are flexible and scheduled to meet your time requirements.
• You and I meet in a completely anonymous setting – confidentiality guaranteed.
• You receive only one-to-one counselling – no public groups.
• I am your partner in determining the change agenda, if any, and the goals selected.
• Your program is specific to you. There is no fixed curriculum, no inflexible goals and no one-size-fits-all programs or services.
• You work with a counsellor (me) who can relate personally to your concerns.
• This is a judgment-free environment. 
• You can secure help and support when you need it. (Available 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. – seven days a week).
• You receive on- going help in maintaining your progress.

Programs at Addiction Alternatives: Substance Abuse, Gambling, Other Excessive Behaviours.

We utilize a state of the art cognitive/behavioural model of counselling that is widely held as the most advanced model for substance abuse and behavioural addictions in North America.  Programs are 100% individualized and continually enhanced with the latest techniques and strategies derived from the most current research findings.

We also use a Client Centred approach.  This means that when you encounter problems or concerns, we deal with them immediately.

Our Goal is to RESOLVE Addiction, RESTORE Health and Help You RECLAIM Your Life.

Click here if you are you looking for Programs and Services for Family Support, Education and Counselling for Loved Ones and Concerned Others.