DRUG AND ALCOHOL COUNSELING
IN SAN FRANCISCO

Man struggles with addiction to drugs and alcohol

Are you struggling with alcohol or drug use that's causing problems in your life?

Have you tried to cut back or quit and found you couldn't?

Do you feel ashamed about your substance use but keep doing it anyway?

Drug and alcohol addiction is more common than most people realize — and more treatable than most people expect.

If you're in San Francisco and looking for a counselor who specializes in addiction, I can help.

Drug and Alcohol Blog Posts

What Is Drug and Alcohol Addiction?

Someone has a substance abuse problem when their alcohol or drug use causes problems in their life or makes them feel bad about themselves. This can take many forms — daily drinking, weekend binge drinking, prescription drug dependency, marijuana use, or any substance use that feels out of control. The common thread is that the behavior continues despite negative consequences.

Addiction isn't about willpower. It's not about being weak or lacking discipline. Addiction is a condition where the brain's reward system has been altered by repeated substance use, making it genuinely difficult to stop even when you want to. That's why willpower alone usually isn't enough.

Drug and Alcohol Counseling in San Francisco

I've worked with individuals and couples dealing with substance abuse for over 25 years. As a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) and advanced certified addiction counselor (CADC-II), I'm qualified to assess your situation and help you address it.

I live in San Francisco and have worked with Bay Area clients for many years. All sessions are conducted via telehealth, which means you can work with me from anywhere in California without leaving your home or office. No commute, no waiting room, no one who knows you will see you walking into a counselor's office.

Do You Have to Go to AA or NA?

No. Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous work very well for some people and not at all for others. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to addiction recovery. For many of my San Francisco clients, working consistently with an experienced addiction counselor and being accountable to that counselor is an effective first step — and sometimes all that's needed.

Do You Have to Go to Rehab?

Not necessarily. Rehab is the right choice for some people — particularly those with severe physical dependency or those who need to be removed from their environment to get sober. But many people with serious drug and alcohol problems get and stay sober through outpatient counseling alone. The right level of care depends on your specific situation, and that's something we can assess together.

Why Work With a Certified Addiction Counselor?

Drug and alcohol counseling is an area where credentials matter. I'm a licensed psychotherapist and an advanced certified addiction counselor (CADC-II) with over 25 years of experience. I've worked with nearly 1,000 clients in addiction treatment programs, the chemical dependency unit at a hospital, and my own private practice. I'm also a graduate of the Hazelden Betty Ford Professionals in Residence program. I've heard everything. There is nothing you'll share with me that will surprise me or change how I work with you.

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If you're in San Francisco and ready to address your drug or alcohol use, I invite you to call me at 650-646-4220. I'm always willing to spend a few minutes on the phone to discuss whether I'm a good fit for what you're dealing with.

For more information, visit my Drug and Alcohol Counseling page. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

How to Know if Your Drinking is a Problem

Forget the Stereotype When most people think "alcoholic," they picture someone who's lost everything – their job, their family, their house. But that's a small percentage of people who struggle with alcohol. Most of the people I work with who have drinking problems are functioning just fine on the surface. They go to work, pay their bills, and show up for their kids. From the outside, everything looks okay. The important question isn't whether you fit some stereotype. The que

Greg Miller

How Alcohol Impacts Other Addictions

Many clients who come to me for help with addiction or substance use disorders focus solely on their primary struggle, whether that's cocaine addiction, marijuana addiction, prescription medicine addiction, or sex addiction. But there's frequently a hidden factor that can sabotage their recovery efforts: alcohol. Even for those who don't consider themselves alcoholics, drinking can have profound effects on other addictions in ways that many don't realize.

Greg Miller

When Does Marijuana Use Become Addiction?

At the time of this writing, 24 states have legalized recreational marijuana use. For many years, much of the discussion of marijuana focused on whether or not it should be legal. This conversation, though important, often took away from the more crucial conversation about whether marijuana was actually addictive. Though some may argue this, medical and mental health experts agree marijuana is, in fact, addictive. As with any substance, not everyone who uses marijuana is an a

Greg Miller