Substance abuse is a pattern of alcohol or drug use that begins to interfere with health, relationships, responsibilities, or personal values. Intensive therapy can help you address the underlying drivers of use and build a more stable, sustainable recovery.
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What is Substance Abuse?
Understanding Substance Abuse
Substance Use Disorder involves recurrent use of alcohol or drugs that causes significant impairment or distress. At PCS, we take a dual-diagnosis perspective, recognizing that substance use is often connected to underlying concerns such as trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, or chronic shame. For many people, substances become a coping strategy—used to numb pain, manage stress, or quiet overwhelming emotions.
Symptoms of Substance Abuse & Impact on Life
Substance use can affect mood, thinking, behavior, and relationships. Over time, it can create a cycle of secrecy, shame, and instability that becomes harder to break without support.
- Cravings: Strong urges to use, especially during stress, loneliness, or triggers.
- Tolerance: Needing more of a substance to get the same effect.
- Neglect of Responsibilities: Work, school, family, or health slipping due to use or recovery time.
- Use Despite Harm: Continuing even when it’s clearly impacting health, relationships, or goals.
Related Conditions
How PCS Treats Substance Abuse
At PCS Intensive, treatment goes beyond stopping the behavior. Instead of using weekly sessions to manage immediate crises, our clinicians focus on identifying what drives use, strengthening relapse-prevention tools, and addressing the emotional pain or patterns that substances have been covering.
Therapies commonly used include:
- CBT: Builds coping strategies, supports relapse prevention planning, and reduces high-risk thinking patterns.
- EMDR Therapy: Helps process underlying trauma, triggers, or distress that fuels cravings and relapse cycles.
- IFS Therapy: Helps work with the parts of you that use substances for protection and build healthier internal coping.
Each client receives an individualized intensive treatment plan built around their goals.
Expected Outcomes
Recovery looks like stability and emotional sobriety. Many clients experience reduced cravings over time, stronger coping skills, improved relationships, and increased confidence in managing triggers without returning to substance use.
Meet Your Care Team
Our specialized clinicians are experts in treating substance abuse and are here to support your journey to wellness.
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Elizabeth (Lizzy) Hanson
BA, MC (LPC)
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Hadas Ron-Zarki
Ph.D. Candidate, CSAT (IITAP), IFS-Informed Therapist, CST, ETT
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Douglas Withrow
MDiv, LMFT, MSC, S-PSB, CSAT
FAQs
Do I need detox before starting intensive therapy?
PCS is not a medical detox facility. If medical detox is needed, clients must complete that first and be medically stable before beginning intensive treatment.
Is substance abuse usually connected to other mental health concerns?
Often, yes. Many people use substances to cope with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, or shame. Treating the underlying drivers is a key part of lasting recovery.
Do you involve family or partners in treatment?
When appropriate, yes. Substance use affects the whole system, and family or partner support can be an important part of healing, boundaries, and long-term recovery.
Become the best version of yourself.
Our Intensive Program connects you with the right people and environment for lasting growth.