Addiction Specialist
Addiction is a lifelong illness that affects your psychological, emotional, social, and physical well-being. Robert Jaffe, Ph.D, LMFT, is an experienced psychotherapist specializing in addiction treatment, including alcohol, substance abuse, and process addictions such as gambling and sex. At his office in Encino, California, Dr. Jaffe takes a patient-centered approach to therapy, customizing care that best meets your needs. For expert addiction therapy, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.
Addiction Q&A
Addiction is an uncontrollable urge or compulsion to use substances or engage in unhealthy activities despite the potential harm they may cause. Addiction is a chronic disease that can affect anyone.
About 20 million people in the United States have a substance use disorder, an addiction to substances that increase dopamine levels in the brain. These include opioids, alcohol, and nicotine.
Though substance use disorder is common, there are also process addictions, known as behavioral addictions, such as:
- Gambling
- Sex
- Exercise
- Eating
- Shoplifting
- Video gaming
Dr. Jaffe specializes in addiction therapy for both substance use disorder and process addictions.
Symptoms of addiction vary. Some people hide their addiction, while others experience severe symptoms such as:
- Uncontrollable urge to use the substance or engage in harmful activity
- Intense preoccupation with drug or activity
- Inability to control the use or negative behaviors
- The need to use more and more to experience euphoria
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Physical or mental health issues
- Financial problems
You may be aware of your addiction, but you’re unable to stop despite the effects it has on your personal or professional life.
There are several treatments available for addiction, and your treatment may depend on your specific dependence. If you have a substance use disorder, you may benefit from detoxification to assist with withdrawal symptoms.
Additional treatments may include medications to ease compulsions, urges, and underlying mental health problems related to your addiction, such as depression or anxiety.
Therapy is one of the most critical pieces of addiction treatment. Dr. Jaffe is an expert in addiction therapy and can provide the support and tools you need to understand your addiction, gain a new perspective, and develop healthy behaviors.
You can expect patient-centered and compassionate care from Dr. Jaffe when you come in for addiction therapy. During your first session, he lets you do all the talking; he wants to hear your story.
Dr. Jaffe talks to you about your addiction and makes recommendations about the needed areas of focus. He then works with you to develop a treatment plan. Dr. Jaffe takes an individualized approach to addiction therapy, customizing care that best meets your needs.
Addiction is a disease that requires ongoing medical and mental health care. Call the office of Robert Jaffe, Ph.D, LMFT, or schedule an appointment online today.
Treatment for Addiction – Dr. Jaffe Can Help
Seeking therapy is the most important first step in overcoming a substance use disorder. I am confident that we can work together to overcome the dependence and help you live a life where you feel free from the substance.
As trauma is commonly linked to substance use, as a therapist I use trauma-informed care to increase feelings of safety and decrease potential triggers that may be related to the trauma. If you tend to respond severely to particular situations or stimuli, we can discuss this over the phone or email to reduce the chance of this interfering with participation in therapy.
I use a multi-method approach to treatment of substance use symptoms. I draw from Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help people manage negative thoughts and feelings or thoughts that you feel stuck in connected to your addiction. CBT is one of the most effective treatments for substance use disorders (Hides, Samet, & Lubman, 2010). I also utilize other treatment techniques, such as Gestalt, psychodynamic, and hypnosis to help you overcome your symptoms.
Treatment for a substance disorder begins with a detailed interview process where we identify the symptoms and any related mental health concerns. This is where we discuss your life’s story which helps me truly understand you on a deeper level. Your treatment would be informed by your goals and desires for therapy.
Therapy will help you learn how to:
I believe that you have the power to make real changes to your life. You do not have to let a substance dictate how you are living your life.
References
Buxton, J. A., & Dove, N. A. (2008). The burden and management of crystal meth use. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 178(12), 1537-1539.
Cooper, R. J. (2013). Over-the-counter medicine abuse – a review of the literature. Journal of Substance Use, 18(2), 82-107.
Fein, G. F., Cardenas, V. A. (2015). Neuroplasticity in human alcoholism. Alcohol Research: Current News, 37(1), 125-141.
Giordano, A. L. et al. (2016). Addressing trauma in substance abuse treatment. Journal of Alcohol and Drug Education, 60(2), 55-71.
Hides, L., Samet, S., & Lubman, D. I. (2010). Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for the treatment of co-occurring depression and substance use: Current evidence and directions for future research. Drug & Alcohol Review, 29, 508-517.
Hughes, J. R., Naud, S., & Budney, A. J. (2016). Attempts to stop or reduce daily cannabis use: An intensive natural history study. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 30(3), 389-397.
McGaffin, B. J., Deana, F. P., Kelly, P. J., & Ciarrochi, J. (2015). Flourishing, languishing and moderate mental health: Prevalence and change in mental health during recovery from drug and alcohol problems. Addiction Research & Theory, 23(5), 351-360.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2017). Prescription Drugs and Cold Medicines. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/prescription-drugs-cold-medicines
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2017). Substance Use Disorders. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/disorders/substance-use
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