Photo of Jose A Gonzalez, MA, LPC, LCDC, CRS, CART, Licensed Professional Counselor
Jose A Gonzalez
Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, LPC, LCDC, CRS, CART
Verified Verified
Laredo, TX 78041
For the past 28 years I have been assisting members in our community and surrounding areas with an array of mental health issues confronting them and their families. Among these have been MH Evaluations and Clearances, Treatment for Alcohol/Drug Abuse/Dependence, Children/Adolescent Services, Anger Management, Couple, Marriage & Family Counseling, Depression, Anxiety, Impulse Control Issues, Self Harm, Self-Esteem Issues, Body Image Concerns, Sexual Disorders, Weight Reduction/Control, Gender Identity Issues, Behavioral Pain Management, Vocational/Career Counseling, Stress management Biofeedback, Hypnotherapy, and other.
For the past 28 years I have been assisting members in our community and surrounding areas with an array of mental health issues confronting them and their families. Among these have been MH Evaluations and Clearances, Treatment for Alcohol/Drug Abuse/Dependence, Children/Adolescent Services, Anger Management, Couple, Marriage & Family Counseling, Depression, Anxiety, Impulse Control Issues, Self Harm, Self-Esteem Issues, Body Image Concerns, Sexual Disorders, Weight Reduction/Control, Gender Identity Issues, Behavioral Pain Management, Vocational/Career Counseling, Stress management Biofeedback, Hypnotherapy, and other.
(956) 253-0904 View (956) 253-0904
Photo of Joseph Gorordo, LCDC, Drug & Alcohol Counselor
Joseph Gorordo
Drug & Alcohol Counselor, LCDC
Verified Verified
Laredo, TX 78043
Are you ready to change the way you've been living? Addiction of any sort, whether it be to alcohol or drugs, can be devastating to both individuals and families. As a person in long-term recovery I'm intimately familiar with what it takes to recover and have dedicated my life to helping families and individuals heal from addiction and step into a new life filled with hope and promise. I specialize in motivating clients to seek treatment and assisting individuals who have recently left treatment to find the appropriate supports in their community.
Are you ready to change the way you've been living? Addiction of any sort, whether it be to alcohol or drugs, can be devastating to both individuals and families. As a person in long-term recovery I'm intimately familiar with what it takes to recover and have dedicated my life to helping families and individuals heal from addiction and step into a new life filled with hope and promise. I specialize in motivating clients to seek treatment and assisting individuals who have recently left treatment to find the appropriate supports in their community.
(833) 934-2647 View (833) 934-2647
Drug Abuse 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.