Substance Use Treatment in Oxford, CT
At Mountain Laurel Wellness, our experienced team will help you overcome substance use, reclaim your sense of self, and find freedom beyond addiction through compassionate, personalized care.
Recovery from Substance Use is Possible - One Step at a Time.
If substance use feels overwhelming, isolating, or out of control, you are not alone. Substance use isn’t just about the substances themselves—it’s often a way of coping with emotional pain, trauma, stress, or disconnection. Whether you find yourself stuck in a cycle of using to numb, escape, or feel in control, we’re here to help you heal—not just the behavior, but the deeper wounds beneath it.
At Mountain Laurel Wellness in Oxford, CT, we offer a supportive, nonjudgmental space where you can explore your story with honesty and care. Our approach is rooted in connection, empowerment, and lasting change—helping you rebuild trust in yourself, reconnect with your values, and create a life beyond addiction.
Signs You May Be Struggling with Substance Use
You may find yourself experiencing:
Using drugs or alcohol to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma
Feeling like you need substances to function, relax, or get through the day
Hiding your use from loved ones or feeling ashamed about your behavior
Struggling to cut back or stop, even when you want to
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms or cravings when not using
Losing interest in activities or relationships that used to matter
Facing consequences at work, school, or in relationships due to substance use
Feeling trapped in a cycle of guilt, secrecy, and self-blame
Physical symptoms such as changes in sleep, appetite, energy, or overall health
How We Can Help
Our experienced therapists specialize in working with individuals navigating substance use and co-occurring mental health concerns. We take a compassionate, whole-person approach—helping you understand the underlying emotional patterns, build healthier coping strategies, and create a meaningful path forward.
Healing from substance use isn’t just about stopping the behavior—it’s about rediscovering who you are without it. It’s about breaking free from shame, finding your inner strength, and learning to care for yourself in new, sustainable ways. Recovery is possible—and you don’t have to do it alone.
When you’re ready, wer’re here to support you.
Our Approach to Substance Use Treatment
At Mountain Laurel Wellness, we provide compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals struggling with substance use. Whether you’re dealing with alcohol, prescription drugs, or other substances, we understand how overwhelming, isolating, and entrenched these patterns can feel. Our goal is to support you in achieving and maintaining recovery through a deeply individualized and holistic approach.
Our therapists specialize in substance use treatment and draw from a range of evidence-based modalities to help you heal—not just from substance use, but from the underlying emotional pain that often fuels it.
Evidence-Based Therapies We Use:
Motivational Interviewing (MI):
This collaborative, nonjudgmental approach helps you explore and resolve ambivalence around change. MI is designed to strengthen your own motivation for recovery and empower you to take meaningful steps forward—at your own pace.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):
CBT helps identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that reinforce substance use. You’ll learn practical tools for managing triggers, reducing cravings, and developing healthier ways to cope with stress, anxiety, and negative emotions.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):
Especially effective for individuals who experience intense emotions, DBT teaches skills in mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness—supporting greater emotional stability and reducing impulsive behaviors tied to substance use.
Trauma-Informed Therapy:
Many people who struggle with substance use have a history of trauma. We use trauma-informed approaches to help you safely explore and heal unresolved pain without becoming overwhelmed or retraumatized. When appropriate, we may incorporate therapies like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) or Internal Family Systems (IFS) to support deeper healing.
Relapse Prevention Therapy (RPT):
A structured, skills-based approach that helps you identify high-risk situations, manage cravings, and develop a personalized plan to maintain long-term recovery. RPT is often integrated with CBT and MI for a comprehensive toolkit.
Harm Reduction and Recovery-Oriented Care:
We honor each person’s recovery journey and understand that it doesn’t look the same for everyone. Whether your goal is abstinence, reduced use, or stabilizing your life, we offer nonjudgmental, affirming support rooted in your values and goals.
Collaborative, Whole-Person Care
While we don’t provide detox, MAT (medication-assisted treatment), or psychiatry in-house, we regularly collaborate with prescribers, medical professionals, and recovery support systems to ensure you receive coordinated, comprehensive care. We’re here to support your mind, body, and spirit in recovery.
You are not broken and you are not alone.
Recovery isn’t just about stopping substance use—it’s about rebuilding trust in yourself, finding stability, and creating a life that feels worth staying present for. Healing is possible, and when you’re ready, we’re here to walk with you.
Therapy for Substance Use with Mountain Laurel Wellness can help with:
Understanding Your Substance Use
We help you explore the emotional, psychological, and situational factors that contribute to your substance use. Gaining this insight is the first step toward breaking free from the patterns that keep you stuck and creating a more intentional, fulfilling life.
Challenging Unhelpful Thought Patterns
Substance use often coexists with negative self-beliefs, shame, and distorted thinking. We work together to identify and challenge these thought patterns—replacing them with more realistic, self-compassionate, and empowering perspectives.
Regulating Emotions Without Substances
Many people turn to substances to manage overwhelming emotions. We help you build practical, evidence-based skills to cope with stress, sadness, anxiety, or emotional numbness—without needing to escape through drugs or alcohol.
Reconnecting With Your Body and Self
Substance use can create a disconnect from your physical and emotional self. Through mindfulness and somatic approaches, we support you in rebuilding a safe and trusting relationship with your body—grounding you in the present moment.
Rebuilding Identity and Self-Worth
Recovery involves rediscovering who you are beyond substance use. We help you reconnect with your values, passions, and strengths—supporting you in building a life and identity that feel meaningful, stable, and aligned with who you want to be.
Creating Supportive Daily Routines
Together, we’ll identify daily practices that support emotional regulation, structure, connection, and self-care. Building sustainable routines creates a solid foundation for long-term recovery and relapse prevention.
Healing and Strengthening Relationships
Substance use can strain or damage relationships with family, friends, and partners. In therapy, we explore how substance use has impacted your connections with others, support you in setting healthy boundaries, and help you rebuild trust and communication—so you can form more authentic, supportive relationships in recovery.
Addressing Shame and Isolation
Substance use often thrives in secrecy and self-judgment. Therapy offers a safe, nonjudgmental space to share your experiences, reduce shame, and foster genuine connection—with both yourself and others.
Developing Long-Term Recovery Skills
We go beyond symptom reduction to help you build a strong set of tools for maintaining recovery. You’ll learn how to navigate triggers, life transitions, and stressors with greater clarity, confidence, and resilience.
“The attempt to escape from pain, is what creates more pain.”
-Gabor Maté