Christian Chemical Dependency
Counseling in Santa Monica

Chemical dependency has a way of turning lives upside down. It wreaks destruction and havoc in every aspect of your life and your family’s lives too. Sadly, addiction has a stigma which often prevents addicts from getting the support they desperately need in order to recover.

At Santa Monica Christian Counseling, we understand the medical side of chemical dependency and also realize the intense emotional pain it is rooted in.

Through counseling offered by highly-skilled and devoted Christian counselors in Santa Monica, you can break free of the bondage of chemical dependency.

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Please contact our reception team at
424-361-6197

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Substance abuse (or chemical dependency) is a confirmed medical disorder that refers to abusing both illegal legal mood-altering substances. What defines abuse? If the substance that is being used is causing negative issues like problems with work or school performance, trouble with family or friend relationship, or is the root of legal difficulties, you might be abusing that substance to the point of chemical dependency. The subject of substance abuse is a complicated one since every individual’s experience with chemical dependency is different. There are some signs, however, that remain universal.

Chemical Dependency Symptoms and Signs Include:

  • Regular use of alcohol and/or drugs.
  • Increasing need to use more to attain the same results.
  • Withdrawal symptoms in the event of stopping or decreasing use of the substance.
  • Lying about the frequency or amount you are drinking or using.
  • Preoccupation with the subject of alcohol or drugs.
  • Avoiding friends and family.
  • Believing you don’t have fun without the substance.
  • Risky behavior when using.
  • Finding yourself in legal trouble due to alcohol or drugs.
  • Performing poorly in the workplace or at school.
  • Feeling depressed and without the ability to gain control.
  • Physical, psychological and family issues arising due to alcohol or drug use.

Everyone Has a Story but Recovery Is Possible

When you were little, did you have your dreams set on growing up to become a drug addict? Of course not. No one actually wants to be chemically dependent. Every person who struggles with addiction has a story behind their dependency. There is something lurking in the dark shadows that led to the point of addiction. Substances of abuse are commonly used like Band-Aids in an attempt to heal the soul. Instead, they heap even more problems on.Be encouraged though.With faith in Christ, recovery is possible. We at Santa Monica Christian Counseling Center can help you discover the issues behind your problem so you can work through to victory.

Chemical Dependency Dangers

There is a myriad of ways chemical dependency damages a person and wrecks their entire life. It can wreak havoc on your health, both psychologically and physically. It can devastate your body, mind, and spirit. The reasons for becoming dependent are many too. Some get trapped after just experimenting with a drug while others are attempting to escape inward or even physical pain. No matter the cause, dependency can occur in the blink of an eye, before the individual even realizes they are becoming addicted.

Physical Effects of Common Substances of Abuse

Alcohol

Abusing alcohol is the number one reason for preventable deaths within the U.S., resulting in close to 88,000 fatalities every year. The effects of alcohol abuse can include:

  • Behavior and mood changes caused by the manner in which your brain functions.
  • Heart damage which results in stroke, high blood pressure, and/or irregular heartbeat.
  • Liver damage and implications like cirrhosis, hepatitis, and fibrosis.
  • Increased risk of some cancers like cancer of the liver, breast, mouth, and throat.

Prescription Drugs

Claiming well over thousands of lives per year in the U.S. alone, prescription drugs, like stimulants, sedatives, and painkillers, when not used properly, are very dangerous.Some of the most popular substances and effects they can cause are:

  • Opioid-based painkillers can cause slow breathing, choking, mood changes, cognitive dysfunction, coma, and even death.
  • Tranquilizers and sedatives can cause sleep problems, irregular or slowed breathing and seizures.
  • Stimulants are apt to cause heart failure, accelerated heart rate, deadly seizure, heart failure, and death.

Heroin, Cocaine, and Amphetamines

There are a great many illegal drugs that are abused. Heroin, cocaine, and amphetamines are among the most common. Some of the side effects of them include:

  • Heroin, a potent opioid, is known to decrease the rate of breathing, damage the brain, destroy teeth, and can lead to death.
  • Amphetamines can cause brain structure changes, damage to teeth, psychosis, weight loss, and death.
  • Cocaine may cause heart problems, brain damage, weight loss, psychosis, lung, kidney, and liver damage, and death.

Desperation and Distress

It is common in addiction to reach a bottom before reaching out for help. The desperation you may feel when you are sick and tired of being addicted can cause you to lose hope. Rest assured that the Christ-centered counselors in Santa Monica are here to help you, no matter what drug you are addicted to or how far of a bottom you have reached. With faith in Christ, we know recovery is possible.

Relationships and the Impact of Addiction

Individuals often seek Christian-based counseling for their chemical dependency when they have had enough of hurting their loved ones. In your addiction, you can damage relationships with those you love the most. Alcohol and drugs damage marriages, ruin friendships, and can destroy your professional relationships too. Some of the problems chemical dependency can cause in relationships are:

  • Irrational anger
  • Neglect
  • Mood swings
  • Verbal abuse
  • Physical abuse
  • Financial difficulties
  • Traumatized children
  • Infidelity

An addict’s spouse can suffer from severe emotional damage and may even become codependent, placing the needs of the addicted partner before their own needs. Some addicts lose their relationship completely. Effects caused by addiction can include:

  • Issues concerning intimacy
  • Feeling abandoned
  • Depression
  • Anger
  • Codependency
  • Financial strain

There are consequences that come with chemical dependency which affect the addict and the ones they love. At Santa Monica Christian Counseling, we understand how difficult it is for chemically dependent individuals to deal with the pain they have caused their loved ones.

Through counseling, you can work through the relationship issues your addiction has caused and overcome the struggles. We are here to help and also offer Christ-focused marriage and family counseling so you can work on rebuilding your relationships that have suffered due to the addiction.

Get connected with a Christian Counselor
Please contact our reception team at
424-361-6197

Schedule an appointment

The counselors at Santa Monica Christian Counseling are passionate about helping you break the chains of addiction. Evidence-based treatment is often used as a proven method of counseling. We also lean on God’s power because He is the healer, and only through Him can you be free from alcohol and/or drugs and begin dealing with the other issues your addiction caused.

At Santa Monica Christian Counseling, we have empathic and highly-trained Christian counselors who are here in order to walk you through your addiction, step by step. Some of the many reasons to choose Christ-centered counseling for addiction through Santa Monica Christian Counseling include:

  • We are very experienced in all facets of chemical dependency treatment.
  • We offer an individualized approach in order to suit each individual’s unique needs.
  • You are able to attain support for your family and from your family during all recovery phases.
  • Your highly-skilled counselor is trained in many techniques of treatment for chemical dependency.
  • Your counselor is dedicated to God and to you as his or her client as well.
  • We explore the possibilities of various resource in order to help you successfully reach your goals.

The decision to seek help for your chemical dependency problem can be difficult. Facing your addiction takes courage and the road can seem overwhelming at times. We understand. No matter your current condition, Christian counseling can help attain your goals for recovery and help you live sober and free. Through Christ-centered counseling, you are able to gain:

  • Tools and support for getting clean and staying clean – The dedicated and skilled Christian counselors in Santa Monica are experts at knowing ways to help addicts like you journey from the self-destruction of addiction to complete healing. We use a number of tools in order to help you maximize each session. We’ll work hand-in-hand with your family, with God, and with your physician so you will have a safety net, reassurance,and support.
  • Understanding the causes behind your addiction – Addiction is often times an outward display of inward pain. This pain can stem from a number of things like mental health problems,depression, trauma, or abuse. Regardless of your particular case, we will walk with you through the past wounds in order for you to learn to cope with your feelings and pain without using dangerous substances that can harm you so you are able to live a peaceful, happy, God-filled life.
  • Guidance and support for all – There are many struggles the families of chemically dependent people face. We are available to help your loved ones understand your issue of chemical dependency. We also offer support to them and show them ways to help themselves as well as conducive and healthy ways support you during your process of recovery.
  • A non-judgmental and compassionate place for growth and self-discovery – You’ll find support and empathy in chemical dependency counseling. We believe in teaching you to be empowered through and to be filled with hope. We never judge.
  • Strength and reassurance through the building of your relationship with God – Re-connecting with Christ is a truly wonderful thing and it is very helpful when working through an addiction. Our faith-based counseling center will walk with you so you can come out victorious in peace, healing and God’s redemption.

FAQ Concerning Chemical Dependency Christian Counseling

At Santa Monica Christian Counseling, our focus is on outpatient counseling. We don’t offer detox services and are not a center for rehabilitation. We do, however, invite you to speak with one of the counselors about your unique situation. If necessary, your counselor might refer you to a detox facility so you can become stabilized before your therapy begins.

Santa Monica Christian Counseling is happy to work with a number of insurance companies. You can find out more by contacting your provider regarding your individual coverage. We are available to answer any questions you might have about the insurance providers we accept.

Because our Christian counseling for addiction is unique to the individual who is being treated, there are no set amount of sessions. The illness of chemical dependency is known for having chronic relapses so our counseling center allows for any setbacks that may occur. Our goal is for you to reach full recovery and we will work with you however long it takes until you are in a good place to discontinue your sessions.

Counseling sessions at Santa Monica Christian Counseling are always confidential. We will never divulge anything you tell us or even the fact that you came in. The only case we would ever disclose information is in the event a client was at risk of harming others or themselves.

Experience Victory through Santa Monica Chemical Dependency Christian Counseling

It can be quite a challenge to get help for your chemical dependency. You may be undecided about treatment initially. If you are struggling with addiction, we invite you to come in for a risk-free visit so you can sit down with one of the skilled and devoted counselors to figure out if counseling is right for you. We will answer any questions and help you determine if treatment is for you. For a list of professional chemical dependency counselors, browse the profiles or give us a call at (424) 361-6197.

Get connected with a Christian Counselor
Please contact our reception team at
424-361-6197

Schedule an appointment