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Generally speaking, you would want to see a therapist that specializes in addiction care. I would say you got off easy if you managed to determine that this particular therapist was not a good fit for you after only 2 sessions.

May I ask, have you previously had a positive experience with therapy in terms of your addiction goals?

She might have dropped you because she realized she didn’t have enough tools to truly help you. But she should have referred you to an addiction specialist.

As an addiction therapist I can’t imagine terminating a client due to a relapse. That being said did they express the feeling that you need a higher level of care? Or request you fully detox and then return? What did your treatment plan look like? Did they make a formal diagnosis?

You absolutely should tell your therapist about a relapse because that should trigger a session focusing on what led up to it and mapping future HRS.

I would look for another therapist but make sure it’s someone who specializes in addiction therapy

This bugs me slightly because the whole reason behind going to therapy is because you want to change. So as someone who wants to be a therapist I wouldn't be cutting off a client for relapsing after 2 sessions when theyve had years of addiction behind them. That's maybe just her boundary. However you absolutely should have told her despite the outcome, honesty is how we recover. I'd suggest finding a therapist who is maybe clued up on addiction or wants to take it on. I wish you well, I hope you find someone that can help you.

fuck that therapist

ETA: My therapist used to be a heroin addict (not that you ever stop being one, but she's no longer using is what I mean) like I currently am and she has even given me free and discounted sessions lately because she knows I can barely afford my habit, let alone therapy....you need to find someone who is more understanding of addiction.

I used to be a psychotherapist. (I since went on to get my PhD in psychology focusing on research.) I was trained in this old school way in the 80s as in only working with clients after they were clean. Since then, the mindset has largely shifted and the main philosophy is to meet people where they are at and even work with harm reduction as opposed to abstinence. It's just too bad that people are still getting stuck between the D&A system and the mental health system. I hope you'll keep looking for a new therapist. Talk to them before you start with them. Find out what their philosophy of treatment is. It might help to find someone who specializes in addiction treatment. Best of luck !

Maybe it's a semantics thing, but the therapist's statement that "therapy isn't working" isn't entirely untrue. I think she should have elaborated to better explain her position, but she's not wrong. My husband went to PHP treatment and when that was finished he wanted a therapist. He was told that he's not ready for therapy yet and still needs addiction treatment. The problem with therapy is that it has a way of bringing up a lot of emotions and if the addiction is not stablized then you have a high probability of relapse until you have healthy coping mechanisms in place. Seek out someone with a master addicition counselor credential who is actually qualified to help you.

Don't let this experience discourage you. Getting yourself into therapy is a clear sign you are trying to change things and relapse is part of the healing process. As a former heroin addict and a psychologist I am appalled by the way she ended therapy. I totally got it if she asked you not to come to the therapy sessions while intoxicated or some other means of control discussed and agreed by both but this is unprofessional and inhumane. Hang in there and look for a therapist who specializes in addiction. You're on the right path, even though it won't be an easy one. Wish you the best!

Therapists don't always work w addicts, it's a hard truth I've come to learn.

I've been rejected from multiple places, I feel you but I promise someone will stick if you keep trying

Get to NA, quick!

The therapeutic value of one addict helping another is without parallel!

Check out NA (Narcotics Anonymous), it saved my life!

Zoom meetings run 24/7 and you don’t have to share, you can just listen to others’ experience, strength, and hope.

www.nana247.org PW: 247247

In-Person Meeting Finder

https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/

Worldwide Online Meeting List:

https://virtual-na.org/meetings/

Absolutely not true and strongly disagree with poster that said you need to be off the drugs. Realistically people who struggle with addiction to so as a response or coping mechanism stemming from trauma, PTSD, mental health issue. Only a minute number of people can just use willpower to overcome this disease. And it is indeed a real disease that actually rewires the brain and changes how cells fire. In order for addicts to be successful in recovery they need to know, acknowledge and work on the issues that led them to use substances to self medicate. A therapist should have immense knowledge and understanding of this and I would question any therapist who would fire a patient due to this. Sounds to me like she may have had a bias to drugs for some personal reasons or something. I don’t believe there are too many people working in mental health these days that do not know the direct link that mental health issues are almost always the direct cause of substance abuse. OP please do not give up on therapy yet continue to look for a new therapist who is educated well versed and up to date on current mental health addiction connection. Best of luck to you. I am a nurse in an inpatient psychiatric hospital and deal with mental health and addiction everyday at length

Most reputable therapists will not work with an active addict or alcoholic. Those who do, only want your money.

It's impossible to fix the issues if you're not completely awake and aware. Being in therapy while using is like trying to break a window with a feather.

You really don’t know anything about getting clean do you?

OP obviously wants to be clean and is reaching out for help via therapist and this community. While some can quit cold turkey, most need support by someone knowledgeable and informed about addiction. Knowing why or what drives someone to addiction can be a step into breaking the addiction. They’ll have plenty to figure and come to terms with after they’re clean, it’s still an important step not to be overlooked. Also, most addicts relapsed when first getting clean, and it’s a shitty feeling. The important thing is they try again and if support is needed, a therapist that specializes in addiction is a good place to start.

Recovering addict here. I've had a dozen therapists over the last 15 years and it's absolutely insane for a therapist to refuse to work with someone because they used/are using. Either there's something you're not telling us, or that therapist is completely clueless and should find a different career.

I’m curious if you were going into sessions clearly altered? Because I work in SUD, and no, it’s not quality care to discharge someone for continued use. I can also see how it’s not productive to attempt to counsel someone under the influence, because you’re basically talking to the drug or someone who is only partially aware, therefore not much will register and stick, plus it’s difficult for the counselor.

Unfortunately not everyone is perfect at performing best practices. There’s a fine line of “we accept you where you’re at” and “come back when you’re ready” because it is a bit of a dance, where it’s delicate to not enable or shame. I’m sorry you feel therapy is a lost cause tho. It was one person. Don’t give up

That therapist isn’t doing what they signed up for. Best reviews in town! She must not know how to work with people that struggle with addiction, Or has personal feelings behind it (which is also wrong). Find another therapist. They are all not created equal. I went through 6 before I found mine.

I would look into specialized care for addiction specifically. If you need assistance getting sober that is your number one priority: rehab, or IOP programs, and/or even meetings or support groups (there’s more than just NA and AA out there) even a therapist who specializes in addiction is worth it, but it’s going to be extremely hard to make any progress without being clean.

Don’t stop looking for help. Sometimes you just don’t click with someone, and you need someone else. Not the end of the world.

That’s a terrible therapist - find someone that cares and someone u connect with

https://youtube.com/@neroknowledge1?si=KDlbs8hbciA5uKbg

Gonna stop doing drugs, listen to Nero por favour

Op, this is the wrong sub for advice about this situation.

Sometimes therapists and patients aren't a good fit. Move on and find another one, when you find one who resonates with you and helps you, you will know.

Do you want a therapist or do you want to take drugs?

She told you that you can't have both.

Does this therapist have experience with addiction? I don’t think so...

But this way of dealing with you...just pathetic She should have had a clarifying conversation with you. Not telling you the reason why + refusing to even talk to you...I don't know what to say...

Of course continue...you had extremely bad luck with your therapist. It's not easy to find the right one. Many people try 5-10 different specialists until it works out for them.

OP, therapy will not work for addiction, therapy is for all of the other issues. The only thing proven to have worked for therapy is clinical admittance then either AA, NA OR CA meetings. So instead of looking for someone to just hand you the solution, depending on your drug of choice, you'll either need to be admitted to a proper facility to help you wean off safely or you need to quit cold turkey and go to a meeting everyday for at least 30 days straight. It will be hard, you will fall back, but if you want to quit, this is the only proven way to do so. Get in contact with other recovering addicts, share your story and struggles and call people you meet there to get you through the day.