5 Ways Therapy Can Help with Your Drinking or Drug Use
You’ve thought about quitting. You’ve tried to cut back. You can’t seem to crack this riddle inside you—part of you desperately wants to put down your substance once and for all, and part of you craves that feeling of intoxication just one more time. If this sounds familiar, therapy might be the answer you’re looking for.
In my years working at inpatient substance use treatment centers, I’ve sat with thousands of people navigating the same inner tug-of-war. What I’ve seen is that real change is possible—not overnight, not without effort, but in deep, lasting ways. Therapy, the so-called “talking cure,” can be a powerful tool in recovery. Here are five ways it can help:
1) Capitalizing on Neuroplasticity
Contrary to popular belief, the brain doesn’t stop changing once you hit 25. If it did, no one would ever switch careers, fall in love, or learn a new skill. The brain’s ability to adapt—what neuroscientists call neuroplasticity—is the same capacity that makes recovery possible.
Addiction hijacks the brain, convincing you of lies like “I’m destined to stay addicted forever” or “Others might recover, but not me—I’m too broken.” In therapy, those false beliefs can be gently dismantled, one conversation at a time. Over time, new pathways form, making room for healthier motivations, clearer thinking, and choices that actually align with the life you want.
2) Untangling Ambivalence
Katy Perry might’ve put it best: “You’re hot and you’re cold, you’re yes and you’re no.” Ambivalence - wanting two opposite things at once - is a core part of addiction. One morning you might wake up hungover, swearing you’ll never drink again. That same night, you might find yourself rationalizing just one more.
This push-pull doesn’t mean you’re broken; it means you’re human. In therapy, ambivalence isn’t something to fight against - it’s something to explore. Together, you can sort through competing desires, resolve inner contradictions, and take steps toward what really matters to you. Therapy gives you permission to be torn and uncertain, while still moving toward peace, health, and fulfillment.
3) Lifting the Lid on Suppression
There’s an old saying in recovery: drugs and alcohol aren’t the problem—they’re the solution. At least, temporarily. Substances can numb pain or provide relief for a night, but when they wear off, the pain comes roaring back—often stronger than before. That cycle leaves you needing more and more, without ever really healing.
Therapy isn’t always painless. In fact, it can sting at times. But the difference is that in therapy, your pain has somewhere to go. Instead of pushing it down, you can release it in a safe, supportive environment. It’s not about a quick fix—it’s about finally letting your pain breathe, so you can start to move forward rather than stay stuck.
4) Fortifying Healthy Structures—Inside and Out
At this point you might be thinking: Okay, this all sounds good, but what do I actually do?
The truth is, it depends, because no two people’s struggles, histories, or strengths are exactly alike. Early in therapy, the goal is to create a clear, actionable plan that fits your life. I often use the word structure to describe this. Think of it like an architectural blueprint: before you build anything solid, you need a design.
Structure could mean developing new daily routines, practicing stress-management tools, or reshaping communication patterns in your relationships. Whatever form it takes, the point is to create a sturdy foundation for long-term change - one that’s realistic, practical, and tailored to you.
5) Connecting with Spirituality
Spirituality doesn’t have to mean religion. At its core, it’s about meaning, connection, and purpose. Addiction shrinks life down until it feels like all that matters is the next drink or hit. Therapy can help you widen the lens again.
For some, spirituality might look like faith or prayer. For others, it’s creativity, time in nature, relationships, or service to others. Whatever it looks like for you, connecting with something greater than yourself gives recovery an anchor. It’s a reminder that you are more than your cravings, more than your mistakes, and more than your addiction.
Bringing It All Together
Recovery isn’t just about quitting a substance—it’s about building a life that feels worth living without it. Therapy offers a safe, structured, and deeply personal space to rewire your brain, face ambivalence, release suppressed pain, establish healthy foundations, and reconnect with what makes life meaningful.
If you’ve been wrestling with your drinking or drug use and wondering if change is possible, I want you to know: it is. You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Reaching out for help could be the first step toward freedom, healing, and the life you’ve been waiting for.
If you’re ready to take that step, I’d be honored to walk alongside you. Reach out today to schedule a session and begin your path forward.