relapse isn't failure. you can learn from it.

Addiction & Substance Use Therapy

Find treatment for alcohol, marijuana, and other drug dependency.

There's no one-size-fits-all treatment for an addiction that does not discriminate.

Addiction does not discriminate – it affects all kinds of people.

Regardless of who you are, addiction can be debilitating. Shameful. Hurtful. Isolating. Terrifying. Confusing. Harmful.

Repetitive.

All-consuming.

Your drinking or drug use has hurt your relationships.

You’ve said and done things you regret.

You’ve faced severe consequences. Lost your job. Ruined your health.

Your family is fed up with you. They’ve begged, pleaded, yelled, and ultimately, set boundaries.

You’ve been told you can’t get addicted to weed, but you’re numbing yourself and making no progress.

And some of it was likely outside of your control.

Maybe you’ve tried these things, and they weren’t enough: Talk therapy. CBT for addiction. Family therapy. 12-step groups. Support groups. Treatment centers. Medication for cravings.

Symptoms and signs of substance use

Alcohol, drugs, marijuana, and other substances can start as a way to have fun or relax.

Until you start using more.

You may use it to cope with what you’re struggling with underneath.

And then, you need to use more to have the same effect.

And when you try to stop, you experience withdrawals so bad that they force you to keep drinking, smoking, or using.

Thoughts & fears:

“Is my drinking a problem?”
“What does weed do to my brain?”
“Drinking is hurting my relationships.”
“I feel guilty for my past mistakes.”
“I’ll be forced to go to religious groups like AA.”
“How do I forgive myself for addiction?”

Physical symptoms & behaviors:

Anxiety, paranoia, and panic attacks
Being unable to “just have one”
Long-term health consequences
Judgment, isolation, and loss of relationships
Self-medicating to cope with stress, trauma, or loneliness
Problems at work, school, or personal relationships

Outcomes from substance use & relapse prevention therapy

I’ve had the privilege of helping a diverse group of people who are battling addiction.

I’ve picked up people from jail and helped them work on sobriety from day one.

I’ve helped healthcare professionals, like doctors, nurses, and dentists, maintain their licenses after mistakes like DUIs.

I’ve worked with lawyers and executives in addressing their addiction with utmost sensitivity.

The outcomes of addiction and relapse prevention therapy and counseling include:

Reduction in the frequency and amount of substance use, or abstinence
Repairing and strengthening of family and social relationships
Being able to manage stress, triggers, and difficult emotions without turning to substances
Better physical and mental health health
Great self-esteem and sense of purpose
Life stability, including stable housing, consistent employment, and improved financial management

As someone who has personal and specialized experience in substance use, mental health, and trauma, I’m not going to judge you — and I can actually help.

"Relapses are opportunities for growth – not something to be ashamed of."

That’s the main message in my TEDx talk, “Relapse is Part of Recovery.” My talk shares that the worst experiences of our lives – whether it be a mental health or addiction relapse, or even a divorce or loss of a loved one – are opportunities for growth.

No one says you have to relapse.

But many of us do, right?

And many of us fear that we will again.

I know what it’s like to be told that I have a problem, over and over again, and still not see it for myself.

I also know what it’s like to struggle with deep shame — from both myself and others — and not feel safe seeking help.

I understand the hard emotional work, I remember the battles with cravings, and I, most of all, remember the kind people who believed that I could get better.

I’ve been through the 12 steps. I’ve participated in non-12-step programs, too. I’ve learned from great mentors and leaders. I even studied the neuroscience of addiction.

But I don’t push what worked for me onto others. There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment.

Now, I dedicate my practice to learning specialized, efficient therapies that are clinically proven to work faster than traditional talk therapy. Not just surface-level coping skills or craving management.

Because we know there’s always something underneath the addiction.

And I take a multi-pronged approach to help you establish a lifestyle that fits with your definition of recovery.

I bring EMDR for addiction, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for addiction (DBT), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for addiction (CBT) — but more than that, I bring respect, curiosity, and a belief that your story matters.

Hufsa's TEDx talk: "Relapse is Part of Recovery"

My TEDx talk has over a quarter of a million views and is featured on the official TED website.

You can regain control of your life today.

Click or call to connect with me for a free, 15-minute consultation call to or to schedule an appointment for confidential help.