Trying to cut back on substance use can be hard. You may want to use less, but you may not know how to make it work. You may have tried before and started using again.
This does not mean you cannot change.
At Mind And Body Balanced LLC, we offer online psychiatric care and confidential counseling for substance use challenges. We help you build healthier ways to cope and support your recovery.
But can counseling help if you have tried to cut back on substance use? Let’s explore it.
Why Cutting Back on Your Own Is Tough
When you use drugs or alcohol for a long time, your brain and body might crave the substance. Cravings are very strong urges. If you stop fast, your body may get upset. You may feel sick. You may feel tired. You may feel grumpy. You may use it again to make bad feelings stop.
Using can also hide bad feelings fast. If you feel stressed or sad, a drink or drug may make it feel better for a little while. Your brain remembers that. Next time you feel bad, your brain says, “Use that again.”
Fighting your body and brain alone is very hard. You may run out of energy. You need new tools. You need a safe place.
Can Counseling Help If You Have Tried to Cut Back on Substance Use?
Yes, counseling gives you a safe place to talk. You can share your thoughts and concerns without having to hide them. It can also support you in your journey to attain your objectives.
A counselor can help you look at your substance use and understand your habits.
You may talk about:
- When you use a substance
- Why you use it
- What makes you want to use it
- How substance use affects your life
- What happens when you try to cut back
- What goals you want to reach
This can help you see patterns in your life.
Once you know your patterns, you can start to make changes.
Learn What Triggers Substance Use
A trigger is something that makes you want to use a substance. Triggers are different for each person.
- Stress may be a trigger for one person
- Feeling lonely may be a trigger for another
- A certain place, person, or memory may also lead to the urge to use
Counseling can help you find your triggers. Maybe you want to use after a hard day at work.
If you know that, you can make a plan for those days. You may take a walk, call a trusted person, rest, or do another healthy activity.
Knowing your triggers can help you make better choices.
Learning New Ways to Handle Stress
Stress is a part of life. Everyone has bad days. But when you are trying to cut back on using, a bad day can feel like a huge mountain.
Counseling can help you learn other ways to deal with these feelings.
You may learn simple skills such as:
- Deep breathing
- Talking to someone you trust
- Writing down your thoughts
- Getting enough sleep
- Taking time away from a stressful place
- Doing a healthy activity
These tools are like a new set of keys. Before, you only had one key to unlock your stress. Now, you will have a whole ring of keys. If one key does not work, you can try another one.
Mind And Body Balanced LLC provides CBT and other kinds of talk therapy. These can help you handle your thoughts and feelings in healthy ways.
Building a Strong Support Team
No one should have to walk a hard path alone. When you try to change your life, you need friends. You need people who cheer for you. A counselor is the first member of your new team.
They may know a group where you can meet others who are also trying to use less. Talking to people who understand you feels good. It helps you feel seen. It helps you feel normal. A strong support team gives you a safety net.
At Mind And Body Balanced LLC, we focus on care that fits the person. We listen to your needs and help you understand your treatment choices.
You can talk about your goals and work on steps that feel possible for you.
Can Medication Be Part of Treatment?
Some people take medicine as part of their care. It depends on the person.
A health care provider can review your symptoms, current medicines and treatment goals before making a plan.
Mind And Body Balanced LLC also provides medication management as part of its mental health services.
Medication is not right for everyone. Your provider can help you understand your choices and decide what may fit your needs.
Taking the First Step Today
Starting something new can feel scary. But the first step is brave. You already showed you are strong when you tried to use less on your own. Now use that strength to ask for help.
You do not need to know everything before you call. You need to want a better tomorrow.
Mind And Body Balanced LLC offers a free 15-minute talk. You can ask questions. We give caring help that fits you. We work with you to make a plan that fits your goals.
If you live in New York or Connecticut, call us. We can meet online or in our Danbury office. Asking for counseling is a good gift to give yourself.
FAQs
How long does counseling take to cut back on substance use?
It is different for each person. Some people feel better in a few weeks. Some need more time. At Mind And Body Balanced LLC, we will work at your own pace.
Can counseling help if I do not want to stop completely?
Yes. Counseling can help you cut back or use more safely. Your goal does not have to be quitting forever. A counselor will help you.