Escapism looks like a lot of things and can have a big impact on our lives. It can be overworking, procrastination, excessive drinking, drug use, and compulsive sexual behaviors. We work with high-functioning and high-achieving clients that struggle to cope with the rigorous demands of their life. Your struggles may go unnoticed because you are an achiever and are skilled at hiding them, but you recognize the negative impact they’ve had on your life and relationships.
Common Forms of Escapism:
Alcohol Addiction and Drinking Problems
Let’s face it, we are an alcohol society. How many mom and wine memes are out there? We use alcohol to celebrate, to deal with stress, and enjoy it on date nights, just to name a few. It’s just the norm in our society.
Alcohol can be a healthy part of your life, but it can be easy to let occasional drinking turn into an addiction. In fact, 30% of adults at some point in their lives find themselves having an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. Yup, you read that right, 30%. Sometimes when we find ourselves in an unhealthy place, we turn to alcohol to help us feel better.
We will offer you non-judgemental support, compassion, and understanding to overcome your addiction. And, we will help you figure out what’s causing you to use alcohol as a form of escapism and help you learn healthy coping tools to use in its place.
Alcohol and Relationships Issues
We specialize in offering high-quality relationship therapy. So, we know how alcohol can impact relationships. Whether one or both partners has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol, we know they will benefit from discussing it in counseling. We have specific training, including Gottman’s Couples and Addiction Recovery that uses the gentle support that your relationship needs. Whether you are in recovery or still in the pre-contemplative stage of change, we are here.
Workaholism
Workaholism is a form of escapism. We are so passionate about explaining it, that we wrote a blog about it. Furthermore, busyness also is a defense mechanism to avoid feeling anxiety. Many high-achieving individuals with anxiety, try to ignore their symptoms by moving and being productive.
Overworking offers a distraction from stress. And, it may temporarily alleviate anxiety symptoms, but it doesn’t address what’s causing it. In fact, overworking and not treating the anxiety actually winds up fueling anxiety. This causes a devastating anxiety cycle that’s hard to break.
We are a counseling practice comprised of high achievers, so we get what busyness and productivity are like. But, we also know how to slow down, be present, and actually manage the real issue- anxiety.
Sex Addiction
We also offer treatment for individuals who are struggling with compulsive sexual behavior. And, we help their betrayed partners. Our specialty is working with relational trauma that manifests as depression, anxiety, compulsive behavior, sex and love addiction, codependency, and perfectionism. All of these challenges are a trauma response. They lead to patterns of chronic escapism and difficulty with a misplaced focus on the external. These behaviors start as survival skills and become defense mechanisms. Ultimately causing chaos, intimacy issues, power struggles/difficulty with control, low frustration tolerance, and a tendency to shut down. All of which can keep clients trapped in what feels like a loop of desperation and powerlessness.
Healing work is centered on the exploration and development of your authentic self. We want our clients to explore their identity outside of expectations imposed by old narratives and dysfunctional systems of relationships that have created self-limiting beliefs and prevented healthy autonomy.
Begin Escapism & Addictions Counseling in Houston, TX and/or San Antonio, TX
We have this one life that is worth showing up for. This is your gentle push to be present and show up with your complete and authentic self. If you’re ready to get control over your addiction and make yourself a priority, then we’d love to speak with you. To begin therapy in Houston, TX and/or San Antonio, TX, follow these steps:
Contact our therapy clinic using our online portal and set up your free phone consultation,
Meet with a skilled addiction therapist,
Begin counseling, overcome anxiety and addiction, and live your best life.
