To Provide Quality Care and Protect Patient's Privacy, We Do Not Accept Insurance.

Concierge Care Exclusively Tailored for the Clinical Needs and Coaching Demands of Professional Men, Executives, Entrepreneurs, Attorneys, Physicians & Surgeons.

Concierge Care Exclusively Tailored for the Clinical Needs and Coaching Demands of Professional Men, Executives, Entrepreneurs, Attorneys, Physicians & Surgeons.

Recognizing an Addiction Problem

What is an addiction?

While it is common to think of addictions in terms of alcohol and drugs, the fact is that there are a number of addictions which can be harmful in a variety of ways. For example, the addiction to shopping seems to hurt no one, but it does serious damage to the finances of the addict, so it can be severely harmful.

A general definition of an addiction is that it is a chronic condition affecting the brain’s memory, motivational, and reward functions. Addiction is characterized by an impulsive need or craving for something. The need or craving surpasses and obviates other personal motivations, wants, and needs for the individual.

The signs of addiction are:

  • A lack of behavioral control
  • An inability to resist the want or need for some substance or behavior
  • A decrease in socialization
  • Ignoring social commitments and critical elements in relationships
  • Ignoring the risk factors implicit in some particular behavior
  • The experience of physical and/or psychological effects on the withdrawal of the wanted or needed substance or behavior

These signs often occur together because they are linked responses or reactions. The intensity for these signs depends on how long the addictive behavior has been present in the individual.

While healthy individuals can recognize dangerous, unhealthy, or undesirable behaviors, the reaction for the addictive individual is different. Commonly, they pretend that the behavior doesn’t exist. Another defensive response is to justify or rationalize the behavior.

A critical first step in positively dealing with an addiction is simply and honestly to admit that the problem exists. It is important to recognize the critical signs, which may be emotional, mental, physical, or, in some cases, financial. The reactions and responses of family members can also provide important signals that something is wrong.

The Types of Addictions:

As noted above, while addictions are most commonly associated with alcohol or drugs, there are other behavioral addictions that can be significant and serious.

Addiction affects the individual by their being unable to resist and abstain from a particular substance or behavior. The “costs” of addictions personally may be physical, psychological, social, or financial.

The most common substances of abuse are:

  • Alcohol
  • Tobacco
  • Substances of inhalants, such as glue, oven cleaners, aerosol products, and/or spray paints
  • “Drugs,” illegal substances of a wide variety
  • Certain medications

Other behavioral addictions besides these substance addictions can also be serious and have significant consequences:

  • Shopping
  • Gambling
  • Sex
  • Working
  • video games
  • Using the Internet
  • Cell phone use

Your psychologist can help: Addictions are condition which are treatable through a variety of psychological interventions and treatments. The first step is to start talking to a psychologist who will help you to identify the source of your problems and create means and methods to alleviate the need for these behaviors.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Performance Coach for C-Suite Executives & Professionals at Blair Wellness Group |  + posts

Dr. Cassidy Blair is a renowned Licensed Clinical Psychologist and trusted Performance Coach who specializes in providing Concierge-Psychological Care and Executive Coaching for high-achieving professionals. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders, Dr. Blair offers tailored, confidential care designed to foster emotional well-being, personal growth, and professional excellence. Her clientele values her discretion, clinical expertise, and emotionally intelligent approach to navigating complex personal and professional dynamics.

Related Blog

Compulsive Sexual Behavior in Professional Men

Understanding Compulsive Sexual Behavior in Professional Men and Executives

Compulsive Sexual Behavior is a complex and often misunderstood condition that can significantly affect the lives of high-level professionals. For men in positions of power, such as CEOs, executives, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and physicians, this pattern of behavior can exist beneath a carefully maintained exterior of control, success, and discipline. The need for secrecy, combined with

When Success Masks Struggle: Hidden Signs of Addiction in Professional Men

For many high-achieving men, including CEOs, executives, attorneys, entrepreneurs, and physicians, success can become both armor and illusion. The demanding pursuit of excellence often leads to accomplishments that command respect. However, beneath the surface, hidden struggles can silently erode emotional health and personal well-being. Addiction among successful professionals is frequently overlooked because it defies conventional

Understanding the Comorbidity of Borderline Personality Disorder and Antisocial Personality Disorder

High-performing professionals, such as executives, attorneys, physicians, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders, often face significant internal challenges that remain hidden beneath the surface of success. The presence of co-occurring personality disorders, particularly the comorbidity of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), can complicate emotional well-being, impact interpersonal relationships, and quietly erode personal and

Looking for a Local Psychologist?

Our Psychologists and Therapists in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Irvine, Newport Beach, and the surrounding areas offer evening and weekend appointments for our Concierge patients. Contact us today to discover how Blair Wellness Group can help you overcome personal or professional challenges and mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, relationship challenges, addiction issues, and personality disorders. 

Scroll to Top

Request An Appointment

  • MM slash DD slash YYYY
  • Cancellation/Refund Policy:

    Please note, there are absolutely no refunds for any of your prepaid sessions in case of broken appointments by you as the professional times and days were reserved for you and will be considered as broken appointments. We ask that you do not make appointments unless you fully intend to keep all your future weekly appointments as we do not issue refunds on ANY prepaid appointment. Please note, our practice is fully committed based on previously scheduled times for our clients at least 2 weeks in advance.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.