Photo of Christopher Pantzis, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 28801, NC
Christopher Pantzis
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, Christopher Pantzis, LCSW
Verified Verified
Asheville, NC 28801
How can I help you? At face value, it's a simple question. However, it's one that can have profound meaning when you are experiencing hardship and confusion in your life. It offers the opportunity for you to enter into a therapeutic working relationship. One that provides the professional guidance and support needed to resolve the issues that are contributing to the problems at hand. It also provides you the opportunity to develop a deeper sensitivity, understanding, and acceptance of your true self. It's the first step forward, towards a change for the better and a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
How can I help you? At face value, it's a simple question. However, it's one that can have profound meaning when you are experiencing hardship and confusion in your life. It offers the opportunity for you to enter into a therapeutic working relationship. One that provides the professional guidance and support needed to resolve the issues that are contributing to the problems at hand. It also provides you the opportunity to develop a deeper sensitivity, understanding, and acceptance of your true self. It's the first step forward, towards a change for the better and a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
(828) 672-2651 View (828) 672-2651
Photo of Mike Comparetto, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 28801, NC
Mike Comparetto
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, A-CBT
Verified Verified
Asheville, NC 28801
Anxiety, Addiction, or Depression might have you feeling like you've lost touch with the life you really want. You might feel alone in all this, but I promise you're not. I help people just like you learn concrete tools and strategies to achieve the life you want. It's ok if you aren't sure what you want. We can figure it out together and build a roadmap for how to get there. The most important thing that a client needs is a therapist who is nonjudgmental, compassionate, relatable, and down to earth - so I work hard to embody these qualities.
Anxiety, Addiction, or Depression might have you feeling like you've lost touch with the life you really want. You might feel alone in all this, but I promise you're not. I help people just like you learn concrete tools and strategies to achieve the life you want. It's ok if you aren't sure what you want. We can figure it out together and build a roadmap for how to get there. The most important thing that a client needs is a therapist who is nonjudgmental, compassionate, relatable, and down to earth - so I work hard to embody these qualities.
(828) 848-4056 View (828) 848-4056

Substance Use Therapists

How do substance and drug recovery or rehabilitation programs work?

In inpatient programs, individuals live in a facility with other clients in recovery; in outpatient programs, individuals reside at home. These facilities are staffed with healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses, psychologists, counselors, and psychotherapists. Staff often also includes people who have recovered themselves, serving as mentors and guides. These programs may use abstinence, harm reduction, detoxification, psychotherapy, and other methods.

How do 12-step programs combined with psychotherapy work?

Members of 12-step programs help each other reach abstinence and work to maintain it. These programs promote complete change in the individual’s emotional, mental, physical, and even spiritual perspectives. Some programs require that new members attend 90 meetings in 90 days. Many people do attend these programs in conjunction with their work in psychotherapy; the combination of therapy along with 12-step can be extremely effective.

How does harm reduction combined with psychotherapy work?

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, harm reduction prevents death, injury, disease, overdose, and substance misuse. People who choose harm reduction for substance use reduce the amount of drugs they consume. It is not abstinence-based like a 12-step program, but combining harm reduction with psychotherapy proves to be effective for many people.

Are there specific medications for substance and drug use?

There are medications approved to treat substance use disorder—such as buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, and acamprosate. These medications do help people cope with substance use as well as avoid the problem of relapse. Naltrexone can help reduce cravings, methadone is an opioid medication used to treat severe pain, and acamprosate may help ease symptoms like poor sleep and anxious feelings.