Times are Tough

These are extraordinary times, but mostly for all the wrong reasons. Previously, I wrote about existential angst, which is a terrible feeling of dread about the future. Now we are seeing the results of that type of angst in a resurgence of alcohol abuse (as well as other forms of substance abuse).

There appears to be a very strong correlation, if not in fact a cause and effect relationship, between the pandemic and substance abuse. People are searching for ways to cope. Sadly, it is frequently through harmful coping mechanisms, with alcohol abuse perhaps being the most common maladaptive way of dealing with distress.

I have found that using an eclectic form of therapy which combines Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, EMDR and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, I have been able to successfully treat many clients who are using alcohol as a maladaptive way of coping.

Perhaps, most gratifying for me as a therapist are the excellent results I am achieving by the use of EMDR. Many of my clients cognitively realize that drinking is destructive, yet have great difficulty in discontinuing alcohol abuse. EMDR focuses on cognitive dissonance.

A person may know what he or she needs to do, but cannot bridge the gap to taking positive action. An eclectic therapeutic intervention works very well with EMDR being the intervention which I use as the final step to bridge the gap between destructive behaviors and healthful ones. It has been an absolute game changer in treating substance abuse.

Click here for more information on depression treatment.