For many people, drinking alcohol is something that is done on occasion and in moderation. Having a glass or two of champagne on New Year’s Eve or a cocktail out with friends is nothing to be concerned about. For others, however, alcohol is not something one marks a special occasion with; it is the main event. There […]
“Am I An Addict?” 5 Signs You Should Seek Help
When we speak about addiction, we tend to think of drugs and alcohol. But there are many seemingly benign activities that can become an addiction for some people. For some, watching porn is an activity done once in a while for fun, while others watch for hours every day alone. Some people shop only when […]
How to Boost Your Self-Esteem
What does it mean to have a healthy self-esteem? Some people think it means you are okay with how you look. Other people think you must accomplish something big in your life to have a good self-esteem. But the reality is, having a healthy self-esteem means you like and appreciate yourself faults and all. A […]
The Signs of Opiate Addiction
Watching your local news or checking your social media feed, you’ve probably heard about the opioid epidemic, the nation’s current public health crisis. As death tolls from the crisis continue to rise dramatically every year, this is not an issue to be taken lightly or ignored. According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 42,000 […]
What is Self-Esteem Counseling?
Most people recognize whether they have a high or low self-esteem. But what is self-esteem exactly and how does it impact our everyday life? Self-esteem is the degree to which we feel worthy, valuable and confident, and these feelings or beliefs greatly affect our well-being and social interactions. Low self-esteem is associated with feelings of […]
Why Do People Relapse After Substance Abuse Treatment?
Have you ever wondered how someone could spend thousands of dollars, time, and energy on substance use treatment just to leave and start using again? Has this happened to you? It is so frustrating and disappointing for all persons involved. Here are some common reasons for relapsing on drugs or alcohol. 1. Thinking […]
Why EMDR is Effective in Treating Trauma
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, is a therapeutic protocol used in the treatment of mental and emotional trauma. It has been widely praised in the United States and is currently used by agencies such as the American Psychiatric Association, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and the Departments of Defense and Veterans […]
Recovering from Addiction: Where & How to Reach Out for Help
When it comes to addiction, there’s one thing that all addicts have in common: at some point, they realize that their life is headed down a path they don’t want to go down. Addiction can begin innocently enough; someone might start taking drugs or drinking out of curiosity, peer pressure, as a coping mechanism to […]
Ways that Compassion Can Help You Support a Loved One Suffering from Addiction
It can often be difficult knowing how to navigate a relationship that is tainted by addiction. Often, loved ones are told that helping an addict means creating codependency, and that the best thing to do is show some “tough love,” even if that means walking away. But is this really true? Is there a better […]
6 Ways that Alcohol Makes Depression Worse
Many alcohol abusers are also suffering from a depressive disorder. Because alcohol can feed our brain’s serotonin receptors, it can make someone feel good for a short amount of time. But eventually the person crashes and feels even worse than they did before. And this vicious cycle continues and is, unfortunately, very hard to break. […]
(828) 290-7632 | pdcounselingnc@gmail.com