If you answered "yes" to one or more of these questions, it’s important to take time to look at what’s going on with you or a loved one who may be struggling with these types of issues.

Sometimes concerns like anxiety, depression or alcohol/drug use occur by themselves and often they occur together. These are called co-occurring disorders because they happen at the same time. This can be caused by many factors such as:

• Conflicts in a relationship with a spouse, partner, family member, or friend.
• Difficulties at work with a boss, co-worker or employee. Becoming stressed out or burned out at work is often the cause of mood issues and/or substance abuse.
• Being bored or lonely and generally unfulfilled in your life.
• Resentments or unresolved issues from the past.
• Any history of abuse, neglect or both.
• Biological factors such as genetics or chemical imbalances in your brain. Chemicals like alcohol and drugs can actually cause changes in your brain such that it becomes difficult to reduce or stop using. People often start experimenting with alcohol or drugs to feel the buzz or euphoria. Unfortunately this high can change the brain in fundamental ways making difficult to stop or get good feelings from being loved, well fed or achieving a goal.
• A family history of substance abuse or mental health problems.

These issues can cause considerable distress in your life, especially if you don’t take action or avoid the problem all together. Problems don’t normally go away all by themselves and can get much worse without proper changes. It has been often said, "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." One example is using alcohol to cope with loneliness or boredom. As one person told me, "I used to drink in bars to be with other people after work. Now I drink alone at home because I embarrassed myself too many times." Or another example is the individual who used pain killers at first to deal with a work accident and then found they liked the high feeling. Often these people end up depressed, lonely and take more pain killers that necessary to cope with being off work.

What Can You Do?

Don’t deny or avoid the problem. Start by taking a close look at your strengths, weaknesses, and resources. Think about how you can utilize your strengths to attack this problem. Also, take a long look at your weaknesses. Maybe your weaknesses are becoming barriers to having the life that you want.

Talk to others about what’s going on with you. Use your personal resources to get help. A problem shared is a problem half solved. Get other people’s perspective on what’s troubling you. Sometimes just talking it out with someone who cares can really help.

Write down a game plan of action steps to overcome your problems. For example, if boredom is causing your anxiety or depression, plan daily activities that make your life more interesting.

Consider joining a group or taking a class. Many people have been successful in changing their mood and quitting substance abuse by getting involved in social support groups such as AA, hiking groups, volunteering at church, or taking an art class.

Make a commitment to change. Unfortunately when the change becomes difficult, many give up and settle for the consequences of the problem. Making a commitment and not giving up often results in a positive outcome. In other words, hard work equals success in changing a self-defeating behavior.

If the problem becomes severe, strongly consider getting professional help. Therapists, psychologists, clergy personnel, nurses, and medical doctors are trained to help with these problems. No need to "tough it out" or suffer in silence. Ask for help with a trained professional. It’s very important to find the right help as all therapists are not created equal. Find someone you connect with and who specializes in the problem you have.

Allow Me to Help In this Difficult Time

I have 22 years experience in working with anxiety, depression and substance abuse issues. I normally work with clients individually in a private office to protect their confidentially. Group work is an option, but only if the person makes that choice and it makes clinical sense. We can involve family members or friends in treatment upon the client’s request. Everything is explained up front about the treatment methods and the therapy goals are decided mutually between the client and myself. I work in a collaborative and supportive style and rarely become authoritative. I believe that problems are best addressed in a private, supportive environment where suggestions are offered when the client is ready for change.

Contact me so we can get started! You can reach me by calling 503-896-7400. You can call at any time. You may also e-mail me at aodaguy@aol.com. I do not provide therapy via e-mail so will call you back to answer any questions you may have or to set up an appointment.