Addiction Treatment
If drinking, drugs, or gambling has become bigger than you meant it to, there is treatment available. At Mente, treatment is provided by a certified addiction specialist. You do not have to hit crisis before getting help.
What we treat
Alcohol
Cannabis
Cocaine powder
Crack (piedra)
Prescription medication
Gambling.
Is it becoming a problem?
You have tried to cut back more than once
You have to drink or use more to get the same effect
You’ve started to hide it, or don’t admit when you drink or use
It has cost you something: money, a relationship, work, or sleep, and it still hasn’t stopped.
Very few people develop an addiction problem for no reason. Underneath, there is usually something that the drinking or using was trying to solve: trauma, anxiety, or a childhood where nobody was safe to go to.
Treating the substance without addressing the underlying issue does not fully resolve the addiction and can lead to relapse. Treatment of these problems together results in the best outcome with the highest chance to remain free from addiction.
If you are worried about someone else
A lot of people who find this page are not the person using. While you cannot force someone to change, what you say and how you respond to them can support them in making the decision to make a change. There is also a lot of value in having guidance through this process and having a space for yourself to process the difficulties of supporting a loved one through their addiction.
We can advise and support families and friends in how best to support their loved ones through their addiction. Even if they don’t want to come or are not ready for therapy.
Who this is for, and who it is not
This is the right place if you are drinking or using more than you want to, if you have tried to stop on your own, or if you have already started a treatment and are looking for further guidance or support with managing you addiction.
This is not the right place if you are in need of a medical detox. Withdrawals from alcohol and from benzodiazepines (e.g. Xanax, Ativan, Valium) can be medically dangerous and must be done under the supervision of a doctor. If, at your intake, we identify this as a necessary treatment, we will tell you immediately and support you with getting the correct service.
Confidentiality
This stops people from getting them help they need more than anything else, so we want to be clear regarding our policies on confidentiality.
We do not share information with your employer, family, or insurer without your written consent. Even if your employer arranges the appointment for you, we do not share the content of our sessions with your employer.
How we treat it
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
You learn to notice the thoughts driving the addiction, test them against reality, and change what you do in response.
Schema Therapy/EMDR
Specific therapies to treat underlying trauma and patterns underneath the behaviour, when you are ready to begin addressing it.
Relapse Prevention
Planning ahead to identify triggers, helpful behaviours, and interventions to support yourself in your sobriety.
What Treatment looks like
First Appointment
60 minutes. We talk about what has brought you to therapy, what you want to change, and how long the problem has been bothering you.
Assessment
We conduct a structured substance use history and screening assessment as part of your intake. We use American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria to determine the right level of care for your needs.
Sessions
45-60 minutes. We will usually meet weekly at the start of treatment but we can meet every 2 weeks if that meets your needs better.
Duration
Typically 6 months to a year, with sessions spacing out more as treatment goes on.
Cost and Insurance
Afl. 175-200 per session. See fees and insurance
FAQ
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Not at all. You do not need to have stopped, or even decided to stop, before your first appointment. Many people start while still using and work out the goal during treatment.
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Sessions are confidential and protected. All documentation, such as treatment plans and assessments, are kept on an off-site server. Nothing is shared with your employer, family, or insurer without your written consent.
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Then we will work with it. Relapsing or lapsing is a part of the process for most people and it is not a failure. It is more information for us to be able to fight back against the addiction.
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Yes. Sessions are available in Papiamento, Dutch, and English
If you are experiencing a crisis right now
Call 911 or go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital. Do not wait for an appointment.
Last reviewed 29/8/26 by drs. Jeff Feliciana