Addiction
Addiction is the continued use of a substance or engagement in a behavior despite significant emotional, relational, physical, financial, or psychological consequences. It can impact every area of a person’s life and often develops gradually over time.
Types of Addiction
Addiction can involve substances such as alcohol, marijuana, opioids, cocaine, benzodiazepines, and nicotine. It can also involve compulsive behaviors such as gambling, technology use, sex/love patterns, shopping, or other behaviors used to cope with emotional distress.
Research in neuroscience suggests that addictive behaviors can significantly affect the brain’s reward and stress systems, particularly pathways involving dopamine, motivation, reinforcement, and emotional regulation.
What Causes Addiction?
There is no single cause of addiction. Substance use disorders and compulsive behaviors often develop through a combination of biological, psychological, environmental, relational, and social factors.
Genetics, trauma, chronic stress, attachment wounds, mental health challenges, family dynamics, and lived experiences can all influence a person’s vulnerability to addiction. For many individuals, substances or compulsive behaviors begin as attempts to cope with pain, overwhelm, disconnection, or survival.
Treating Addiction
Treatment looks different for everyone. Some may begin with detox, residential treatment, or intensive outpatient programs before transitioning into individual therapy, while others may benefit from lifestyle changes, community support, or other holistic healing practices. Individual therapy can support clients in developing healthier coping strategies, increasing emotional awareness, processing trauma, improving relationships, and reconnecting with themselves. Whether you are just beginning your healing journey or working to maintain your sobriety, we are honored to support you wherever you are.
What Is Harm Reduction?
Harm reduction is a compassionate, nonjudgmental approach to substance use and behavioral change that focuses on increasing safety, reducing risk, and improving quality of life. Rather than viewing recovery as “all or nothing,” harm reduction recognizes that change happens in stages and that every positive step matters.
For some people, harm reduction may include moderation, safer use practices, relapse prevention, overdose education, building coping skills, or reducing the harmful impacts of substance use while working toward longer-term goals. For others, abstinence may ultimately become part of recovery.
“The opposite of addiction is connection.”
While recovery looks different for everyone, healing happens in and through relationships — supportive communities (group therapy/recovery communities/peer support groups) and practices that allow the individual to reconnect with their true self. Shame and isolation tend to keep addiction alive; connection, compassion, and community can help create space for healing and change.
When someone experiences both addiction and mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or bipolar disorder, this is often referred to as a “co-occurring disorder” or “dual diagnosis.” For many people, psychiatric support, addressing physical health concerns, and stabilizing daily functioning can be important parts of the recovery process.
Loved Ones & Family Support
Addiction often affects not only the individual, but also partners, families, and support systems. If someone you care about is struggling with substance use or compulsive behaviors, you may also be carrying stress, anxiety, grief, confusion, fear, or exhaustion.
You are not alone, and support is available for loved ones too. Read more about coping with a loved one’s addiction here: Hazelden Betty Ford Family Resources