Addiction 

“Addictions always originate in pain, whether felt openly or hidden in the unconscious…Far more than a quest for pleasure, chronic substance use is the addict’s attempt to escape distress.”

-Dr Gabor Mate

Dismissing addictions as “bad habits” or “self-destructive behaviour” comfortably hides their functionality in the life of the addict. It is impossible to understand addiction without asking what relief the addict finds, or hopes to find, in the drug or the addictive behaviour.

- Bessel Van Der Kolk

Redefining Recovery: A Compassionate Path

"The question is not 'Why the addiction?' but 'Why the pain?'" — Gabor Maté

Addiction is rarely just about the substance. It is almost always a solution to a deeper problem. Whether you are using to numb trauma, regulate a sensitive nervous system (ADHD/Autism), or manage chronic pain, your behavior started as a survival strategy. It worked... until it didn't.

I bring over 15 years of experience—and deep personal insight—to the treatment of addiction. I understand that recovery isn't a straight line, and it certainly isn't "one size fits all."

The Spectrum of Recovery

I don't believe in forcing you into a box. My practice honors your autonomy and meets you exactly where you are.

1. Harm Reduction (Safety First) Not everyone is ready (or needs) to stop completely today. If total abstinence isn't your goal right now, we focus on Safety and Stability. We work together to minimize the risks, reduce the harm, and help you regain control over your choices without shame.

2. Abstinence & The 12 Steps (Structure & Community) For many, complete sobriety is the key to freedom. I have deep experience with the 12-Step model and can help you integrate its principles of community, structure, and spiritual growth into your life.

3. Motivational Interviewing (Finding Your "Why") I won't tell you what to do. I help you figure out what you want to do. We explore your internal motivations, clearing away the ambivalence so you can move forward with clarity and conviction.

The "Why" Beneath the Use

We go deeper than just behavior modification. We investigate the root cause.

  • Neurodivergence: Are you using substances to manage sensory overload or social anxiety (ADHD/Austism)?

  • Chronic Pain or Illness: Are you self-medicating an undiagnosed physical condition?

  • Trauma: Are you numbing memories that feel too big to face?

When we treat the Root, the need for the "Medicine" often naturally falls away.

The Family Component

Addiction is often a symptom of a family system in distress. When appropriate, I invite family members into the process to:

  • Break the cycle of codependency and enabling.

  • Heal old wounds and improve communication.

  • Educate loved ones on the science of addiction so they can offer support, not judgment.

    Your recovery belongs to you. Whether you are looking for total sobriety or a healthier relationship with your coping mechanisms, I am here to walk that path with you—without judgment, and with total respect for your journey.