Addiction Treatment In Houston

According to a report released by The Surgeon General in 2016, 1 in 7 Americans will face an ‘addiction problem’ at some point in their lifetime. At Wellness Collaborative, we treat alcohol and drug use issues as the common problems that they are. Our office is a judgment-free zone, we never look down on someone who is struggling with substance-related problems. In fact, we don’t even use terms such as ‘alcoholic’ or ‘addict’ at our practice. We don’t believe “once an addict is always an addict”. Rather, we believe that what is normally seen as ‘addiction’ is usually a coping mechanism or habit formed around an underlying problem. This has to do with the philosophy behind our method; Integrative Harm Reduction.

DISCLAIMER: Our way of seeing things is still a new and cutting edge approach. As a result, you may see us use terms like ‘alcoholism’ or ‘addiction’ when referencing studies or statistics. We use such data because it helps us estimate how many people there are with substance use related issues – not because we agree that they are “addicts with an incurable disease”. In addition, using such terms may help people who are looking for help with their substance issues find us – since such problems are usually coined as ‘addiction’.

We work with you to create change based on what is important to you in life. We’ll make goals together, not give you a static program to go through the motions with. A huge reason Wellness Collaborative was founded was to provide a nurturing environment and help those struggling with alcohol & drug use recover and progress to a life of color and meaning. We spend time to understand each client and utilize the most effective techniques to rehabilitate them towards happiness & away from addiction.

When you contact us, you can expect just that. Dedicated professionals that are focused on delivering value to your life.

Feeling Out Of Balance?

The team at Wellness Collaborative believes that when it comes to substance use treatments, a “one-size-fits-all” approach doesn’t work. We collaborate with you to form an understanding of your situation in order to determine the focus of your treatment and the approach that will best meet your needs.  Our  go-to approach is Integrative Harm Reduction, which uses evidence-based interventions to identify the reasons for your substance use and figure out ways to get those needs met in a healthier, more balanced way.

We provide a safe, supportive space for you to explore whether moderated and less harmful substance use or all together abstinence is best suited for you and we work collaboratively to help you achieve your goals.  We recognize that people who drink too much can suffer from varying degrees of alcohol-related problems, ranging from mild to moderate to severe. A reasonable option for some problem drinkers is moderation. More problematic drinkers may find a return to moderate drinking a great challenge and choose to stop completely, but the choice to accept that challenge remains yours.

Harm Reduction Therapy

Harm reduction therapy is a modern approach to substance use that doesn’t require patients to stop their current behavior. Heavy drinkers (including those labeled as ‘alcoholics’) can still drink. Drug users (including those labeled as ‘addicts’) can keep using. Stopping isn’t a requirement to begin treatment, rather it’s a choice that you have the power to make because of treatment.

Providing Harm Reduction Therapy the right way means we seek to understand who you are an individual and all the context that comes along with that. Stigma has no place within our walls and we aim to help you explore your strengths and unlock your hidden potential. Check out our blog post to learn more about harm reduction.

We want to collaborate with you to form goals and strategies for the future. No strings attached.

Is There A Pill To Stop Drinking?

Naltexone attaches to the opiate receptors in the brain and blocks the buzz that comes from drinking alcohol. Over time this causes your body to unlearn the addiction and the harmful cycle that came with it. This method has a 78% success rate of curing alcohol addiction entirely.

Known as The Sinclair Method (or TSM), we recommend this approach be combined with therapy from an expert in the field. TSM is something Dr. Kelli Wright at the Wellness Collaborative is a leading expert in, she has her own practice devoted towards it and other harm reduction style therapies.

The Sinclair Method

The Sinclair Method (TSM) was developed during the 1990s and has since cured thousands of struggling with alcohol use (often labled ‘alcoholics’) in America and Europe.  The technique uses opiate blockers that are taken by the patient every day before drinking. Over time, this will revert the brain and nervous system back to their pre-addiction state.

If you’ve tried other programs without success, TSM may be a helpful course of action. Contact us to learn more.

Do You Love Someone Struggling With Substance Use?

We help families and loved ones of those struggling with substance use. Our approach is collaborative and compassionate. You can love your partner, your child, or your parent who has substance use in a connected way. In fact, research shows that having the support and love of concerned significant others improves the well-being of the family and helps the person with substance use difficulties to engage in treatment. This approach shows higher success rates than traditional surprise interventions or Al-Anon style approaches. Our method helps concerned significant others to connect with and impact their loved one while avoiding the detachment and confrontation of these other styles of treatment.

Alcoholism Recovery

Well over 8 million people in the United States alone struggle with alcohol. Substance use problems (often labeled addiction or alcoholism) do not discriminate among creed or color. While some experts have tried to blame a single cause, the truth is the reasons behind it are multifaceted and differ from individual to individual. Common symptoms include:

  • An uptrend in the amount of alcohol consumed.
  • Drinking outside of what is considered socially normal. Examples might be drinking at work or early in the day.
  • Seeking out an environment where it is easy for you to get intoxicated. On the other hand, you avoid situations where you wouldn’t be able to drink.
  • Spending more time around peers who also drink heavily.
  • Weakening relationships with family and friends.
  • Stashing alcohol or sneaking drinks in throughout the day.
  • Can’t stop drinking. A day without alcohol is difficult or impossible.
  • Problems with the law or performance at work.
  • Experiencing physical withdrawals when you stop drinking.

Alcohol related issues are always best to catch early as it tends to worsen as time goes on. Reduce future harm and let Wellness Collaborative step in. If you or a loved one matches these symptoms shoot us a message today and initiate change for the better.

What Is Considered A Heavy Drinker?

According to the CDC excessive drinking is defined as:

  • 5 or more drinks in a single 2 to 3 hour session for men
  • 4 or more drinks during a 2 to 3 hour for women.
  • 15 drinks or more per week for men
  • 8 drinks or more per week for women

Any alcohol use by minors or pregnant women is considered excessive at all times.

Health Issues Associated With Alcoholism

Recorded health related issues associated with alcoholism include but are not limited to:

  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes complications.
  • Learning and memory issues.
  • Risky behavior.
  • Anxiety and/or depression.
  • Ulcers.
  • Loss of vision.
  • Weakened immune system.
  • Increased cancer risk.
  • Increased risk of birth defects and miscarriages.
  • Increased risk of suicide and homicide.

Of course, drunk driving must also be considered. Claiming 29 lives every day in the United States (source), excessive drinking and motor vehicles are a lethal combination.

At the Wellness Collaborative, we leverage modern approaches (such as The Sinclair Method) to alcohol related issues that are realistic and actually work. We see you as an individual and not an ‘alcoholic’. No more crossing your fingers and hoping that you’ll “beat the odds” in order to get sober. When you start therapy with us, you can expect actual change – No gimmicks.

Drug Addiction Recovery

Illicit drug use numbers rival even alcohol with an estimated 13 million ‘addicts’ in the United States. Even though we don’t believe in (or use) the term “addiction” during actual sessions, we don’t take these numbers lightly. Armed with our expertise and your willingness to take action, we’re ready to take on the challenge. Whatever you or your loved one is going through, Wellness Collaborative is here to coach you through with support, guidance and understanding.

Struggling with a substance use issue comes with a myriad of issues, social and personal (that includes being labeled ‘addict’ by those around you) . Not to mention the legal and health problems that can ensue…  addiction is a complex issue that you can’t take on alone. We see you as an individual that has a unique personality and background, not ‘just another addict’. This perspective is actually essential when it comes to creating a custom solution that can get you back on track. Get help today and start on the road to recovery. See addiction symptoms below:

  • Thinking that you need the drug one or more times a day.
  • Depression, anxiety or panic attacks when you haven’t used the drug.
  • Experiencing an obsession with the substance of choice that keeps you from thinking about anything else.
  • Building up a tolerance to the drug. In other words, you need more to achieve the desired effect.
  • Doing more drugs than you planned on doing during a session.
  • Sessions last longer than you intended.
  • Making certain you always can get more of the substance.
  • Ignoring work and personal obligations.
  • Painful withdrawals when you stop using the drug.
  • Erratic behavior like assault or thievery.
  • Lots of time is spent getting, using, or recovering from the substance used.
  • Continuing to use the substance even though you know it’s become a problem.

Drug addiction affects the addict and everyone around them. It creates a state of poor assessment, instability, and emotional numbness. As a result relationships often become weakened as the addiction progresses. If you feel that there is a rift in your life between you and a loved one because of addiction, call us today. We utilize intuitive approaches such as Harm Reduction Therapy when it comes to both the substance use and the problems you experience with your family member or significant other.