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Chemical Dependency

Texas Christian Counseling

Do you or a loved one struggle with addiction to a chemical substance? An estimated 19.7 million Americans struggle with chemical dependency, based on the latest survey numbers from 2017. Many people are struggling with these problems after battling challenges related to the pandemic.

Chemical dependency can be related to alcohol or drug use. About three-quarters of substance addictions are to alcohol, with the remainder being to subscription or illicit drugs. Once someone is addicted to these substances, their brain chemistry is altered, and professional help is often needed for recovery.

There is hope for you or your loved one if chemical dependency has taken hold in your life. The chance of relapse is high if one attempts to get free of the addiction on their own. However, with the help of trained counselors, you can overcome the addiction. The counselors at our offices have years of experience leading addicts from darkness into the light of Christ, with compassion and understanding.

Articles about Chemical Dependency

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Joel Thomas

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The Family Guide to Mental Health and Substance Abuse

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Mental health and substance abuse issues can take a toll on a family. Not knowing what to expect from a loved one’s behavior or becoming the target of someone’s pain and anger has adverse effects for years to come. Learning how to tackle mental health and substance abuse head-on with knowledge, mercy, healing, and Christ’s love can be the catalyst to leaving a legacy of peace instead of pain. Educate the family on mental health and substance abuse Often, mental health and substance abuse issues coexist. Mental health is the emotional and mental well-being of an individual. It includes the cognitive (how they think, remember, and solve problems) and the...

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Photo of Lori Askew

Lori Askew

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Drawing the Connections Between Mental Health and Substance Abuse

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When we go through difficult times, we can deal with that in either a healthy way or an unhealthy way. For instance, if you’re feeling slightly anxious, you can decide to go for a walk or talk with a friend. On the other hand, you could also decide to use food to soothe or comfort yourself, which can feel good in the moment, but it has many negative consequences down the line. Similarly, if you’re struggling with emotional, social, or other problems, you might make the unhealthy choice to turn to alcohol or drug use to alleviate negative thoughts and feelings of anxiety or hopelessness. There are connections between a...

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Browse more articles about Chemical Dependency

What Does Chemical Dependency Look Like?

The first step to overcoming chemical dependency is recognizing there is a problem. However, it can be difficult to get past denial on your own. The people we’ve counselled who have struggled with chemical dependency have exhibited these signs and symptoms.

  • Using more than what one originally planned
  • Inability to completely stop substance use or experiencing cravings for the substance
  • Investing lots of time in using or seeking the substance or recovering from its use
  • Depending on the substance to feel relaxed or at ease
  • Denying or lying about the amount of substance use
  • Disrupting daily responsibilities to use the substance
  • Decreased use in pleasurable activities to use substances
  • Increased tolerance, leading to an increased need for the substance to get the same feeling
  • Experiencing symptoms of withdrawal when stopping use of the substance
  • Decrease in work quality due to substance use
  • Relationship deterioration related to use
  • Withdrawal from family and friends
  • Continuation of use despite negative health effects related to chemical dependency
  • Using the substance in dangerous situations, such as driving or operating machinery
  • Experiencing legal consequences related to substance use
  • Suffering from feelings of depression and lack of self-control

If you have noticed at least six of these symptoms as patterns of behavior, there is a strong possibility that addiction has taken hold. A formal diagnosis can be made by a compassionate Christian counselor, who will offer you various options for treatment.

Giving up a substance is not as easy as stopping use, which you or your loved one has probably tried to do before. Though your conviction to stop may be strong, there are many components involved in addiction. You’ll need outside help to address the physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual aspects of addiction to overcome it. You can get this type of help through a Christian counselor and/or group therapy.

Health Risks Related to Chemical Dependency

Long-term overuse of alcohol or drugs can have serious effects on your physical health. You may experience harm to internal organs along with chronic illnesses. In addition, it can seriously damage your relationship with others and most of all, with God.

Here are several physical symptoms related to addiction:

  • Brain structure changes, resulting in mood and behavior disorders
  • Damage to blood vessels throughout the body
  • Damage to lungs, kidney, and liver
  • High blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms
  • Metabolic disorder
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Increased risk of stroke or heart attack
  • Increased risk of infections, skin disorders, and certain types of cancer
  • In the late stages, high risk of coma, seizures, and death

Your emotions and spiritual life are also affected by addiction in these ways:

  • Outbursts of anger
  • Feelings of unworthiness and self-hatred
  • Increased risk of anxiety and depression
  • Increased risk of paranoia and psychosis
  • Withdrawal from family members
  • Isolation in relationship with God
  • Struggles to reconcile moral choices with personal faith
  • Substituting substance-induced emotions for faith experiences

Since substance abuse wreaks havoc on your physical, mental, and emotional health, it’s important to get the help you need as soon as possible. A caring and compassionate Christian counselor offers judgment-free encouragement and guidance, based on biblical principles.

Relationship Problems Related to Chemical Dependency

Addictions are destructive to relationships. Over time they can erode the bonds you have enjoyed in the past. As the addiction grows, the addict typically gravitates toward other addicts for affirmation, which causes problems in other relationships. Relationships in crisis often drive the addict to seek help from a Christian counselor.

If you or your loved one are facing relationship problems like divorce, strains in relationships with children, or other relationship issues with family or friends, you can get help for your problems. The sooner you get help, the greater chance you have of salvaging your relationships.

Here are some problems that may impact your relationships due to chemical dependency:

  • Mood swings
  • Angry outbursts, often over irrational triggers
  • Neglect
  • Emotional, physical, sexual, or verbal abuse
  • Intimacy issues
  • Infidelity
  • Financial problems
  • Trauma for children
  • Codependency for partner and children
  • Abandonment issues for partner and children
  • Anger, anxiety, and/or depression for partner and children
  • Increased stress for all family members

Addiction exacts a high price not only from the addict but from the addict’s family members. Long-term emotional damage can occur for all members. But the cycles of dysfunction can be stopped when the addict reaches out for help. You can start the healing process in your relationships by seeking family counseling or marriage counseling from a qualified Christian counselor.

What Is Christian Chemical Dependency Counseling?

We know it can be difficult to reach out for help with an addiction. Yet the first step is a brave one that we always support. We offer practical, Bible-based solutions for your addiction problems in a kind and compassionate way. Through a variety of methods in Christian counseling for chemical dependency, we can help you overcome the bondage to addiction.

Here is what you can expect when you meet with a Christian counselor for addiction.

Encouragement for sobriety

Staying sober is difficult on your own. But with the support of your counselor, you can build a roadmap to sobriety. We will guide you along the way, involving your family, physician, and others who will encourage you to break free from addiction.

Uncover causes for addiction

Most addicts are driven to substance abuse due to unprocessed pain from the past. Your counselor will help you deal with any traumatic, abusive, or painful events that are fueling your addiction. If you need help with anxiety, depression, or mood disorders, your counselor will coach you on dealing with your triggers in healthy ways. When you learn the causes of your addiction, you will be better equipped to practice self-control in stressful situations.

Safety for personal growth

Your counselor’s office will be a safe place, free from judgment or condemnation, for you to discover your true self, repair your relationships, and forge a new path forward. You can trust your counselor to always offer support along your healing journey.

Support for your family

Addiction impacts every member of your family. As your family joins you either in family or individual counseling, they will learn about addiction and how it has impacted them. They will be invited to show compassion to the addict and all other family members. Your family members will get help for the struggles they face and receive the same support you gain from our counseling team.

Rebuild relationship with God

One of the greatest reasons for hope in an addict’s journey is learning to receive unconditional love and acceptance from the Lord. Addicts often feel unworthy of God’s love and forgiveness. Yet your counselor will affirm your priceless worth as someone made in God’s image and help you receive the blessings the Lord is waiting to provide for you. This aspect of growth will give you the peace and healing that you need to overcome addiction.

To begin your healing journey, contact us today for your first risk-free appointment. A caring counselor is standing by, waiting to help you today.

Testimonials

It feels awkward to rate a counselor like an Amazon purchase. So instead of rating Benita, I’ll tell you how I feel after spending an hour with her… I feel better. Like 5 stars better. I feel heard and understood, and I leave with helpful and applicable wisdom that makes sense

Benita is a wonderful counselor. She is kind and thoughtful. She is able to help you find new ways to look at issues and help you discover how to address the issues.

Benita has been a wonderful counselor offering insight and advice with a Christian perspective. She is attentive, listens well, and is perceptive. I highly recommend her as a family counselor.

I would highly recommend Benita Weems to anyone seeking counseling. She is a great listener, gives truly insightful feedback and genuinely cares for her clients.

Benita Weems has been insightful, caring, and comforting during some very dark days. She has helped guide my wife and I through this trying season of life and we are very appreciative. She comes highly recommended.

Excellent experienced counseling! Highly recommended! Benita is insightful, engaged and I have appreciated her guidance.

Stacy is kind, empathetic, non-judgmental, and really knows her stuff! She has an ability to connect with her clients wherever they are on their journey, and is a very skilled therapist. I highly recommend her!

Easy to chat with and a great listener.

McCartney Paul is very empathetic and a great intentional listener. I would HIGHLY recommend him to my friends, family and relatives!

McCartney is truly an exceptional therapist. From the moment you step into his office, you can feel the warmth and compassion he exudes. His unwavering dedication he showed to help me heal and become emotionally strong is truly inspiring. McCartney’s genuine care for me shines through every word he speaks and every action he takes. I cannot emphasize enough how much I recommend him. If you’re looking for a therapist who not only has the expertise but also the heart to guide you on your journey towards healing, McCartney is the one for you

McCartney is a wonderfully caring and compassionate person. He makes every effort in his attempts to help others. I wholeheartedly recommend his services.

I have known McCartney for a very long time. He is a fantastic listener and communicator. I always feel like I’m heard and I appreciate his wisdom and insight on a regular basis. Couldn’t recommend him more!

Stacy is so caring and compassionate. She meets you where you’re at and shines God’s grace into the situation. The Fruit of the Spirit flows from her.

Stacy has a caring and naturally empathetic nature about her – it’s easy to feel comfortable and safe in a counseling relationship. She is focused and solution oriented in her approach to therapy and brings God’s word in scripture into the healing process.

Caitlin holds trustworthy character, great listening skills, and is a truth seeker. I would recommend Caitlin to anyone looking for a genuinely caring counselor who will point them to Jesus as they process things and make decisions.