Paradiso Recovery

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Addiction Therapy in Ventura County, CA

Addiction is a complex condition that impacts far more than just the physical body. It affects emotional health, mental stability, and social relationships. It can strain families, disrupt careers, and interfere with daily life.

Male partner kisses woman partner on couch during a session of family therapy for addiction
Man in purple shirt looks out from group therapy for addiction

Seeking therapy is a crucial step on the path to recovery, providing individuals with the guidance, tools, and support they need to overcome substance use disorders. With a wide range of therapy options available, more people than ever have the opportunity to reclaim control and build a foundation for lasting sobriety.

At Paradiso Recovery, we’re proud to offer high-quality addiction therapy in Ventura County, CA. With a focus on personalized care, we provide a comprehensive approach tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual on their path to recovery. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the various therapy options available for addiction treatment and highlight the importance of integrated care (especially when addressing co-occurring mental health conditions) for long-term recovery success.

Types of Therapy for Drug Addiction

There are several types of therapy used to treat drug addiction, each addressing different aspects of the individual’s needs.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, aiming to replace negative thought patterns with healthier ones. This approach helps individuals alter emotional responses and behaviors, making it effective for treating conditions like depression, anxiety, and addiction.

CBT is structured and goal-oriented, using techniques such as cognitive restructuring and mindfulness to break the cycle of negative thinking. It’s an evidence-based therapy that not only helps manage current symptoms but also equips individuals with skills for long-term emotional well-being.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) was initially developed for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and is effective for treating conditions involving intense emotional dysregulation, such as addiction. It combines aspects of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with mindfulness, helping individuals manage emotions, reduce self-destructive behaviors, and improve relationships.

DBT includes both individual therapy and group skills training, focusing on mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. The goal is to help individuals learn skills to manage emotions and maintain healthier, more stable lives, especially when dealing with both addiction and mental health challenges.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a therapeutic approach aimed at helping individuals process and heal from traumatic memories. It involves recalling distressing events while engaging in bilateral stimulation, usually through eye movements, which aids the brain in reprocessing the trauma and reducing emotional intensity.

Unlike traditional therapies, EMDR targets the way the brain processes and stores traumatic memories. By using bilateral stimulation, it helps integrate these memories into the individual’s existing cognitive framework, leading to less emotional distress and greater resilience, making it effective for treating PTSD and trauma-related conditions.

Group therapy is a form of psychotherapy where individuals with similar issues or experiences come together to share, learn, and support one another under the guidance of a trained therapist. This setting allows participants to gain insights from others, provide feedback, and develop new coping skills in a supportive environment. It is particularly effective for individuals dealing with addiction, mental health issues, or trauma, as it fosters a sense of connection and reduces feelings of isolation.

In group therapy, participants often engage in discussions, role-playing, and exercises that promote self-awareness, emotional expression, and problem-solving. The collective experience of the group can help individuals realize they are not alone in their struggles, making it an invaluable part of the recovery process. Group therapy also encourages accountability and strengthens interpersonal skills, as members support each other’s progress while learning from each other’s experiences.

Holistic therapy is an approach to healing that focuses on treating the whole person, rather than just addressing specific symptoms or conditions. It combines various therapeutic techniques, including physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual healing practices, to promote overall well-being. Holistic therapy recognizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of a person’s life and seeks to balance these elements to achieve lasting health and healing.

Common practices in holistic therapy include mindfulness meditation, yoga, acupuncture, nutrition counseling, and aromatherapy. The goal is to empower individuals to take an active role in their healing process by fostering self-awareness, reducing stress, and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Holistic therapy is often used alongside conventional treatments to complement and enhance the healing process. 

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What is Dual Diagnosis?

Dual diagnosis refers to the coexistence of both a substance use disorder and a mental health condition in an individual. It’s more common than many realize, and it’s essential to address both issues together for the best chance at long-term recovery.

When the addiction is treated without addressing the mental health condition, staying sober long-term becomes much more challenging. Mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD, can trigger a relapse, while substance use can worsen these symptoms, creating a difficult cycle to break. Ignoring one side of the problem often results in the other resurfacing.

The most effective way to approach dual diagnosis is through an integrated treatment plan, which tackles both the addiction and mental health condition at the same time. This coordinated care usually involves therapy, counseling, and sometimes medication that addresses both areas. By treating both conditions together, individuals have a stronger foundation for lasting recovery and are better equipped to break free from the cycle of addiction and mental health struggles.

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Common Dual Diagnosis Conditions

Individuals with dual diagnoses may experience a range of mental health disorders alongside their substance use issues. Common co-occurring conditions include:

Depression is a mood disorder that can leave a person feeling empty, sad, and uninterested in things they once enjoyed. Some people may turn to substances to cope, but this often makes things worse. Treatments for depression and substance use focus on both issues, often using antidepressants alongside therapy and learning coping skills.

Anxiety disorders often feature a constant feeling of worry, fear, and nervousness that can be overwhelming. Many people with anxiety may try to self-medicate with addictive substances, but this can increase the anxiety and even lead to more dependence. Treatment for anxiety often features CBT and mindfulness techniques, helping the person build healthier coping skills so they can manage your anxiety without turning to substances.

PTSD can develop after experiencing trauma, leading to flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidance behaviors. It’s common for people to use substances to numb the pain, but this can prevent healing. Effective treatment includes trauma-focused therapies like EMDR, combined with addiction therapy to address both the trauma and substance use, helping the person achieve long-term recovery.

OCD brings persistent, intrusive thoughts and urges to perform certain behaviors, often to ease anxiety. People with OCD may turn to substances to find temporary relief, but this doesn’t solve the problem. Treatment typically involves Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) therapy for OCD, paired with addiction therapy, so the person can manage the compulsive behaviors while also working on overcoming substance use.

Bipolar disorder leads to dramatic mood swings, ranging from intense manic highs to deep depressive lows. During manic phases, some may use substances to enhance the high or stabilize their mood. Treatment often includes mood-stabilizing medications and therapy to manage both mood fluctuations and substance use, helping individuals lead a more balanced and fulfilling life.

ADHD is characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity — but it often manifests in different extremities of each quality across people. People with ADHD may use substances to self-medicate, feel a deeper sense of control, or fuel impulsive behavior. Treatment combines ADHD medications with behavioral therapy for addiction, which can improve focus and impulse control. Individual therapy can help to manage both ADHD and addiction, reducing relapse risk and improving overall functioning.

Schizophrenia impacts thinking, feeling, and behavior, with substance use often worsening psychotic symptoms and complicating treatment. Integrated care typically combines antipsychotic medications, addiction therapy, and coping skills training to help individuals manage symptoms and improve their quality of life for long-term recovery.

Personality disorders, such as Borderline or Antisocial Personality Disorder, are often linked to substance abuse. Individuals may use substances to cope with emotional instability or impulsivity. DBT is particularly effective for treating co-occurring personality disorders and addiction. 

Receive Help for Addiction and Mental Health at Paradiso Recovery

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and a co-occurring mental health condition, help is available. Paradiso Recovery in Ventura County, CA offers comprehensive and individualized therapy for addiction and dual diagnosis treatment. Our dedicated team is ready to offer the support and tailored care you need to begin your path to recovery.

Don’t wait to seek help. Contact us today to learn options about our therapy for addiction programs and how we can support your recovery.

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