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Level Up Wellness Group

Substance Use and Addiction

Substance Use & Addiction Therapy in Alberta and Online
Compassionate, Evidence-Based Support for Your Healing Journey

Addiction doesn’t define you — and you don’t have to face it alone. At Level Up Wellness Group, we offer a trauma-informed, client-centered approach to substance use and behavioral addictions. Whether you’re struggling with alcohol, drugs, or compulsive behaviors like gambling or social media use, we’re here to help you understand the roots of your challenges and build a path toward recovery.

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Understanding Substance Use and Addiction

Substance use and addiction often arise from a complex interplay of causes — no two journeys are the same. At LUWG, we look at the full picture to understand what’s driving the behavior.

Contributing Factors:

gene, biologic, biological factor

Biological:

  • Genetics: A family history of addiction can increase susceptibility.
  • Brain Chemistry: Repeated use of substances alters the brain’s reward system, increasing cravings and reinforcing the cycle.
Psychological, brain nerve, Mental Health

Psychological:

  • Mental Health Conditions: Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar disorder are often intertwined with addiction.
  • Personality Traits: High impulsivity or sensation-seeking can elevate risk.
  • Trauma History: Unprocessed trauma, especially from early life, can lead to substance use as a coping mechanism.
enviromental factor, substance abuse, addiction enviromental reasons

Environmental:

  • Peer Influence: Pressure or normalization of substance use in social circles.
  • Family Dynamics: Growing up in a household with addiction increases vulnerability.
  • Socioeconomic Stressors: Poverty, housing instability, and chronic stress contribute significantly.
  • Early Exposure: Adolescents are especially vulnerable due to ongoing brain development.
cultural, party, Societal

Cultural & Societal:

  • Cultural Norms: Social acceptance of substance use may reduce perceived risk.
  • Media Representation: Glamorized portrayals of drug or alcohol use influence behavior.
addiction self medication, drug abuse

Co-Occurrence:

Substance use often coexists with other challenges.
it may be a form of self-medication for mental health struggles or another addiction.

What is Addiction?

Addiction is defined as the compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli, despite adverse consequences.
It can involve:

  • Substance addictions: Alcohol, prescription medication, illicit drugs.
  • Behavioral addictions (process addictions): Gambling, sex, shopping, gaming, pornography, eating, exercise, social media.

These behaviors, while common and legal, can become harmful when they dominate a person’s functioning.

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The Cycle of PTSD & Substance Use

The Cycle of PTSD & Substance Abuse, PTSD and addiction

Many individuals battling substance use are also living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Substances may offer temporary relief from flashbacks, anxiety, or emotional numbness — but this reinforces the cycle.

To support recovery, we must treat the whole person, not just the addiction.

  • Unprocessed trauma often fuels emotional distress and cravings.
  • Avoidance coping through substances distances individuals from painful feelings — but also from healing.
  • Therapy helps uncover and gently address the emotional wounds that may be at the root of addiction.

Understanding the Spectrum of Substance Use

Substance use is not black and white. It exists on a spectrum—ranging from abstinence to addiction—with many stages in between. People may move back and forth along this continuum over time, based on life stressors, access to support, and coping tools.

The Substance Use Spectrum:

 

substance abuse spectrum

StageDescriptionExample
Non-UseChoosing not to use substancesNo alcohol, drugs, or tobacco
Beneficial UseUse that brings cultural, spiritual, or medical valueMedications, ceremonial tobacco
Lower-Risk UseMinimal impact on well-beingDrinking within Canada’s low-risk alcohol guidelines
Higher-Risk UseIncreases likelihood of harm or dependenceMixing substances, binge drinking
AddictionCompulsive use despite harm (Substance Use Disorder)Continued use of alcohol or drugs despite negative consequences

Remember: People can move between these stages. Recovery is not a straight line, and support is available at every point.

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Substance Use & Mental Health: A Dual Diagnosis Approach

Substance use disorders are highly co-morbid with:

Our clinicians specialize in dual diagnosis treatment, ensuring both the addiction and underlying issues are addressed together, not in isolation.

Avoidance & Addiction: The Emotional Connection

A key part of recovery involves exploring emotional avoidance—the natural tendency to suppress difficult feelings or memories. Substances often serve as a way to numb, distract, or dissociate from:

  • Sadness
  • Guilt
  • Fear
  • Anger
  • Loneliness
  • Trauma triggers

While avoidance may offer short-term relief, it often deepens emotional suffering over time. This cycle reinforces dependency and blocks healing.

Emotional Regulation

🧠 In Therapy, You’ll Learn to:

  • Recognize patterns of emotional avoidance
  • Explore your past with compassion and safety
  • Build healthy ways to cope with stress and triggers
  • Identify and live by your core values for long-term motivation

What to Expect in Therapy

  • Our approach is personalized, trauma-informed, and rooted in collaboration. Your journey may include:

    • A comprehensive assessment that explores substance use patterns, co-occurring mental health conditions, and goals.

    • Therapy plans tailored to you — abstinence, harm reduction, or moderation — based on what aligns with your values.

    • Evidence-based methods like:

      • CBT to challenge and change addictive thought patterns

      • CRAFT for family involvement and support

      • SMART Recovery tools for self-awareness and self-regulation

      • Trauma-informed care for deeper healing

    • Relapse prevention strategies and safety planning, with both internal (mindfulness, DBT skills) and external (community supports) tools

Exploring the Whole Self in Recovery

Addiction is only one part of your story. Therapy at LUWG also explores:

Your strengths, not just symptoms

Your values, to shape meaningful recovery goals

Your identity beyond addiction, to foster purpose and direction

healing, recovery, whole-self

Our Comprehensive Treatment Strategy

We offer a multi-phase path toward recovery:

1. Thorough Assessment & Personalized Goals

  • Screen for co-occurring mental health challenges such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression
  • Align recovery objectives—abstinence, moderation, or harm reduction

2. Evidence-Based Therapeutic Interventions

  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to rewire harmful thought patterns
  • Trauma-informed care to address underlying emotional injuries
  • Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) for healthier, substance-free living
  • SMART Recovery & peer support to foster accountability and encouragement

3. Family Engagement & Support

  • Use CRAFT techniques to help loved ones support recovery without enabling
  • Provide psychoeducation to dismantle shame and build understanding

4. Harm Reduction Strategies

  • Support safe-use practices—needle exchange, opioid agonist therapy, supervised consumption, managed alcohol programs—when immediate abstinence isn’t feasible

5. Aftercare & Recovery Coaching

  • Collaborate with peer recovery coaches for sustained support
  • Develop relapse prevention plans, life skills, and community resources

Meet Our Specialist

Bo Popovic , Social Work with Clinical Specialization

Bo Popovic

Registered Social Worker

He/ Him

 

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DR. MERCY YEBOAH-AMPADU ,Child Therapist Lead & Registered Social Worker,

Dr. Mercy Yeboah-Ampadu

Child Therapy Lead

Registered Social Worker

She/ her

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JANELLE DOWNING-BAKER, Counselling Psychology

Janelle Downing-Baker

Canadian Certified Counsellor

she/ her

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Payton Lundquist, Registered Psychologist, Canada, Alberta, Beaumont

Payton Lundquist

Registered Psychologist

She/ Her

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Mitchell-Tokarek,Registered Psychologist ,Specializes in individual, couples, and family counselling

Mitchell Tokarek

Couples Therapist Lead Registered Psychologist ​

he / him

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Ready to Take the First Step?

You don’t have to navigate addiction or substance use alone. Whether you’re exploring harm reduction, recovery, or just looking for clarity, our therapists are here to support you — without judgment.

We meet you where you’re at.
We treat the whole person, not just the symptoms.
We walk beside you every step of the way.

 Book a free consultation or intake session today:

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