Individuals with Alcohol/Substance Use concerns

Should I seek help for my substance use issues or addiction?

The easiest answer is that if you have concerns about how your substance use is affecting your life, then treatment can help. If you don’t have personal concerns, but loved ones and friends have shared their concerns, it’s definitely worth exploring in treatment.

According to SAMHSA’s 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, only 10 percent of those struggling with substance use concerns received treatment. Many people think that if they are not ‘bad enough’ it’s not appropriate to seek treatment. However, treatment can help anyone with making changes to their use–whether you want to cut back or stop completely, we will work with you as an individual to set unique goals to meet your personal needs.

Even if you feel your concerns are relatively minor, seeking treatment is a great way to prevent a more serious issue in the future. Substance use disorders are considered a chronic and progressive disease, meaning they do not generally get better and often become worse. Just like you wouldn’t ignore stage 1 cancer, you should not ignore a mild substance use concern.

Psychotherapy, medication and other behavioural supports can be useful to cut back or move towards and maintain sobriety. See the treatment options page to read how Infinite Mindcare can help with your substance use difficulties in a confidential space using evidenced based therapies.

How do I know if I have a problem?

In short, if substances are causing problems in your life, then they might be a problem in your life. Many people feel ashamed of identifying as having a problem, however it is important to know you are not alone, and substance misuse is prevalent in the Cayman Islands.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when considering if substances may be causing problems in your life:

  • Have people close to you shared concerns about how much or how frequently you use?
  • Have you tried to cut back or stop, only to find yourself unable to do so?
  • Have substances ever caused issues for you with work (arriving late, underperforming, job loss, etc.)?
  • Have substances ever caused issues for you with school (missing classes, not completing assignments, underperforming, etc.)?
  • Have substances lead you to make decisions you later regretted?
  • Do you feel like you need substances when you go out in order to ‘fit in’ or feel comfortable?
  • Have substances been the source of arguments and conflict in your interpersonal relationships?
  • Do you ever hide your substance use from those around you to avoid judgement?
  • Are substances causing,increasing, or maintaining any physical health or mental health issues?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, substance use is having some level of negative impact in your life and treatment can help.

What should I expect at my initial visit?

Prior to your initial visit, we will send you a pre-screening questionnaire to complete. This helps us get a sense of how substances are impacting your life and how you are feeling about making changes. This questionnaire allows us to tailor your initial appointment to meet your needs.

At your initial appointment, you can expect an in depth conversation about many areas of your life. We know that substance use is never just about the substance. Many individuals with substance use concerns are also struggling with co-occurring mental health issues (anxiety, depression, trauma) and other life stressors.

At your initial visit, we will complete a comprehensive evaluation to identify all areas of concern which contribute to an individual’s issues with substance use. This allows us to develop a comprehensive treatment plan to address all of the identified needs which leads to better treatment outcomes for the substance use issues.

I have had bad treatment experiences in the past, what is treatment like at Infinite Mindcare?

Many individuals who have been struggling with substance use issues have been to treatment before and unfortunately, have had negative experiences where they felt shamed or blamed for their substance use. At Infinite Mindcare, we strive to change that experience by creating a treatment environment that is free from judgement and does not prescribe a ‘one size fits all’ model to care. We work with you as an individual to explore what is going to work best for you and your personal recovery journey.

We use evidence-based approaches which are backed by research to help individuals make change. Ultimately, the decision to change, what to change, and how much to change is entirely up to you–we will be here to help guide you through that process and help you gain the resources and skills to make these changes in your life.