Chemical Dependency / Behavioral Addictions
Struggling with addiction doesn’t make you broken. It means you're trying to cope—often with underlying pain, trauma, or emotional overwhelm that hasn't been addressed. Whether you're facing substance use, compulsive behaviors, or dependency on unhealthy habits, you don’t have to navigate this alone.
At Life Redefined, we walk alongside individuals and families facing chemical dependency and addiction with compassion, not judgment. Together, we work to understand what’s behind the behavior and empower sustainable, life-affirming change.
What do you think?
Read the question below and see if you know the answer.
True or False? Addiction is just about using too much of something—it’s a choice, not a disease.
It might surprise you, but this is actually false.
Correct. Addiction is not simply about choice—it’s a complex brain and behavioral condition, often rooted in trauma, mental health struggles, or environmental factors. People don’t choose addiction, but with the right support, they can choose recovery.
Let's take a deeper dive:
(Please scroll over the text to read the full description)
A Deeper Dive to Understanding Addiction
Addiction can take many forms, including:
Chemical Dependency: Reliance on substances like alcohol, opioids, cannabis, or stimulants
Process Addictions: Compulsions around activities such as gambling, sex, shopping, internet use, or gaming
These behaviors often start as a way to self-soothe or escape—but over time, they can spiral into cycles of shame, secrecy, and self-destruction.
It’s also common for addiction to co-occur with anxiety, depression, trauma, or unresolved grief. We work with clients to untangle these connections and restore a sense of control and self-worth.
Our Approach to Addiction Counseling
Addiction recovery is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why we use an integrated, personalized approach based on where you are in your journey.
We draw from therapeutic models like:
Motivational Interviewing: Helps explore ambivalence and build motivation for change in a supportive, non-confrontational way.
Stages of Change Model: Identifies where you are in the recovery process (e.g., pre-contemplation, action, maintenance) and aligns treatment accordingly.
CBT & Relapse Prevention: Teaches practical tools for identifying triggers, shifting thinking patterns, and building healthier habits.
Trauma-Informed Care: Recognizes the link between past pain and present coping, and helps process unresolved trauma safely.
We also address secondary gain—the hidden “benefits” of addictive behavior (like numbing, avoidance, or belonging)—so clients can develop healthier ways to meet those needs.
Goals + Objectives:
Create a safe, nonjudgmental space to explore substance use or compulsive behaviors
Identify the emotional, relational, and psychological roots of addiction
Build motivation for change using evidence-based tools and strategies
Learn relapse prevention and healthier coping mechanisms
Rebuild a sense of identity, hope, and purpose beyond the addiction
Next Steps:
You don’t need to hit “rock bottom” to ask for help. Recovery is not about perfection—it’s about progress, and it starts with a single step. Whether you’re in active use, early sobriety, or somewhere in between, we’re here to support your healing journey.
Contact us today to speak with a therapist who understands the complexities of addiction—and believes in your capacity for change.