Addiction Therapy

Break Free from the Cycle. Reclaim the Life You Deserve.

Are you struggling to manage your relationship with alcohol, drugs, or another substance? Do you find yourself relying on a behavior—like drinking, using, gambling, or scrolling—to numb pain or escape? Even if you've tried to stop or cut back before, does it feel like something always pulls you back in?

Addiction doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It often develops as a way to cope with underlying emotional wounds—like trauma, anxiety, depression, or a deep sense of disconnection. You may feel ashamed of your behavior or stuck in patterns you can't seem to break, no matter how strong your willpower is. But addiction is not a moral failing—it's a response to pain. And with the right support, healing is absolutely possible.

Addiction Can Take Over Your Life—and Your Identity

You might feel like you're living a double life: outwardly functioning, but inwardly struggling. It may feel like your cravings are calling the shots. Or perhaps you're overwhelmed by guilt, secrecy, or the way your choices have impacted loved ones. Maybe you’ve noticed changes in your health, sleep, or mood—or that you’ve isolated yourself, avoiding people who care about you.

Addiction often leads to a spiral of shame and self-criticism. But the truth is: your behaviors make sense in the context of what you’ve been through. And you are not alone in this. Therapy can help you understand the root causes of addiction, rebuild trust with yourself, and develop sustainable strategies for change.

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What Counts As Addiction?

While most people associate addiction with alcohol or drugs, addiction can also include compulsive or out-of-control behaviors, such as:

Alcohol use disorder
Drug dependency (opioids, benzodiazepines, marijuana, etc.)
Prescription medication misuse
Sex or pornography addiction
Gambling addiction
Internet or social media addiction
Food-related compulsions or disordered eating patterns

You don’t have to meet criteria for “severe substance use disorder” to deserve help. If a behavior is interfering with your life, your relationships, or your self-worth—it matters.

Why It’s So Hard to “Just Stop”

Addiction rewires the brain’s reward system, making it harder to resist cravings, tolerate discomfort, or feel good without the substance or behavior. Many people also use substances to cope with symptoms of unresolved trauma, anxiety, depression, or chronic stress.

In other words: this isn’t just about stopping the behavior. It’s about healing what’s underneath.

Therapy for Addiction in Tempe Can Help You Understand & Heal the Root Causes

At Find Your Shine, we believe recovery isn’t about shame or punishment—it’s about curiosity, compassion, and change. Our addiction therapists meet you wherever you are, whether you’re ready to pursue sobriety, curious about moderation, or unsure what you want.

Our work together might include:

Exploring the emotional function of substance use
Processing the trauma and pain that may fuel addictive patterns
Building emotional regulation and distress tolerance skills
Identifying triggers and learning how to respond, not react
Learning harm reduction or relapse prevention strategies
Rebuilding your sense of identity, self-worth, and purpose

What to Expect from Addiction Therapy

In therapy, we’ll move at your pace. You don’t have to disclose anything you’re not ready for. We’ll help you clarify what healing means to you—not anyone else's idea of recovery. Whether you want to explore sobriety, reduce harm, or simply understand your behaviors better, you are in charge of your journey.

Together, we’ll create a plan that’s flexible, supportive, and grounded in evidence-based care.

Treatment Modalities We Use for Addiction Counseling in Tempe

EMDR Therapy – to heal trauma and emotional pain stored in the nervous system
Internal Family Systems (IFS) - to connect with the internal “parts” of you that may use substances to protect or soothe past pain, helping you develop compassion and balance within
Polyvagal-Informed Therapy – to support nervous system regulation, helping you shift from states of survival (fight/flight/freeze) into safety, connection, and resilience
Motivational Interviewing – to explore your readiness for change without pressure
DBT – to help regulate intense emotions and reduce impulsive behaviors
Harm Reduction Therapy – a nonjudgmental approach focused on reducing risk and increasing safety

You are not a failure. You are a human being who deserves support.

If addiction has left you feeling exhausted, ashamed, or afraid to reach out for help, please know this: you are not alone. Recovery is messy, nonlinear, and incredibly brave. Whether you’ve relapsed or are just starting to question your habits, therapy can help.

At Find Your Shine in Tempe, AZ, we are here to help you break the cycle and start building a life that truly feels like your own.

Ready to take the first step? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation today. Let’s talk about what’s going on and how we can support your healing.