People from all backgrounds and walks of life can develop addictive behaviors, and there is no shame in seeking help. I consider it a crucial part of my job to provide a safe and non-judgmental environment for clients to work through their struggles. Around 20 million Americans suffer from a substance use disorder, but addictive issues are not restricted to drugs or alcohol. Addiction can refer to any behavior that a client deems problematic and wants to change.

Common types of addictions include:

• Alcohol
• Drugs
• Gambling
• Shopping
• Food
• Thrill-seeking

About 70% of addictive behaviors stem from some kind of underlying trauma. The trauma creates severe, unresolved pain, and the addiction serves as a form of self-treatment. Quite often, the addictive behavior is the only way that they know how to take care of the pain and find relief.