Addiction Recovery & Relapse Prevention

Currently, more and more people are starting to feel that they cannot function without the "help" of drugs or alcohol or pleasure-increasing (dopamine relasing) behavior. The  use of these substances / behavior generally starts out with a feeling of control and the intentoins for it tobe short lived. However, over time "tolerance" builds and the substance use quickly spirals out of control as the person notices that life gets incrementally "better" for a short time and thus the mind gets used to that small amount making a difference in feelings (this is the beginning of an "addiction") and the body begins to need more and more to maintain the same consistent feeling of being "okay" (this is "dependnecy". The irony is that of course life doesnt get better with the use of a substance as most of us know it is a mask on the stress, pain, frsutrations, etc.  However, as described above, once addiction and dependncy take hold and our brain's pleasure repetors tell us we need and must use more and more, by this point it is very hard to turn back around. For those who are caught in this cycle know, the need for a substance or behavior can end up eclipsing everything else in life. 

YOU have the Power to Change...Yes YOU Really DO 

Healing from addiction requires not only moving toward a healthier environment, but also the transformation of your inner world. 

With our person-centered, strengths approach, we can work together to identify the root causes of your addiction and change how they affect you so that they no longer hold power over you. Furthermore, we can help you rediscover and redefine your values, core beliefs, personal strengths, and ultimately, your future.

Just because you have struggled with addiction does not mean that is all you are. With some effort, support, and guidance, you can learn to cope in a healthy way as you work to develop your strengths and to live a new life that does not involve the overpowering influence of needing to use a substance to "get by".

An Experienced, Genuine and Individualized Approach to Recovery

Minding You can help you on your journey to a better, renewed life, free of alcohol, Rx or illicit substance abuse issues. Donning a specialized credential in Addiction Recovery (in addition to being an LCSW), Stephanie Higdon is a credentialed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, a certified ASAM Evaluator and Outpatient Treatment Provider. Stephanie has worked with a variety of populations suffering from substance abuse issues as well as experienced firsthand the life challenges associated with addiction. 

Our services are unique to each client and offer an individualized approach to treatment. Stephanie is trained in two of the primary "Gold Standard" treatment models: Prime Solutions and Matrix Model. In both "evidenced based" programs, there is emphasis on topics in areas such as: personal empowerment, understanding addiction, emotional healing, the significance of family and interpersonal relationships, and providing tools and knowledge about how to prevent a relapse. We also understand that the road to recovery is a winding, rocky journey and that change is a slow process that often involves overcoming unforeseen obstacles and "co-occurring" mental health issues. Because Stephanie also has her clinical therapy license, these barriers to a full and successful recovery can be addressed from a clinically driven therapy approach as well.

Stephanie's substance abuse counseling experience has mainly focused on methamphetamine and opiate (pain / RX medications) dependency and abuse. She has personally seen how this epidemic has taken countless lives and left many more feeling hopeless, powerless, and suffering.