Addiction

Counselling for Addiction

An addiction is an uncontrollable urge to engage in a behaviour that is either physically, emotionally, socially and/or financially harmful. Addictions include substance misuse (e.g. alcohol and drugs), gambling, sex, pornography, food, self harm, exercise, shopping, playing videos.

Common areas of addiction:

Drug Addiction

Drug abuse or addiction is an unhealthy dependence on a medication or vocational drug. Characterised by an intense psychological and physical dependency that develops when persistent use triggers changes in the brain, recovery is possible.

Gambling

Gambling is an activity where people take part in a game by placing something of monetary value at risk in order to win money or a prize. While a common pastime for many, gambling can in some cases develop into an unhealthy habit that can lead to not only a financial crisis, but poor health and well-being.

Sex addiction

Sex addiction is typically characterised by compulsive sexual thoughts and acts. While for most people these behaviours will sit within everyday life without causing any issues, for others these urges become uncontrollable and addictive behaviour can develop – often leading to personal, financial and professional problems.

Problem drinking

Alcoholism, also known as alcohol addiction or alcohol dependence, describes the repeated use of and dependence on alcoholic substances. Thought to be caused by cognitive and physiological dependence. It can lead to extensive tissue damage and disease across the body.

Internet addiction

Internet addiction is described as an impulse control issue where users may develop an unhealthy emotional attachment to online friends, activities and the worlds they can create online. Internet addiction like other addictions can have a massive impact on a person’s well-being, including their mental and physical health, relationships and social lives.

Smoking

Smoking is one of the greatest causes of illness and premature death in the UK. Quitting smoking is a big challenge for a person to face, and they will often need more than just willpower.

Getting help

In some cases, the harm of an addiction may only be recognised when the individual in question experiences a crisis – either as a result of a major life consequence or when the addictive substance or behaviour is suddenly unavailable. This is typically what motivates individuals to seek help, but there are those who will be able to kick-start their recovery long before the problem reaches crisis point.

Who Can Addiction Counselling Help?

Do you miss time from work because of your behaviour? Is your behaviour having a negative impact on your family and relationships? Have you gotten into financial difficulties as a result of your behaviour? Does your behaviour help you to escape from worries and problems? Does your behaviour make you feel better in the short term and worse in the longer term?

If you have answered ‘yes’ to one or more of these above question it is possible that you are suffering from an addiction and would benefit from my counselling services.

How Does Treatment for Addiction Work?

Step 1

In your first couple of sessions I will ask you questions so we can understand why your symptoms have developed and what approach will bring you the quickest and most enduring relief.

Step 2

The second step is to identify the problem that you are using the addiction to escape from and finding another way of managing it that isn’t harmful.

Step 3

If the behaviour isn’t something that can be eliminated completely (e.g. food, shopping, exercise) I will then help you to find a way of engaging in the behaviour in a way that is under your control and doesn’t lead to physical or emotional harm.

Step 4

Finally, I will teach you how to boost your confidence and self-esteem and eliminate self-criticism and self-doubt which will protect you from slipping back into addictive patterns of behaviours in the future.

The Addiction that you have have is not who you are. You do not need to continue suffer in silence ; change is possible and I will be honoured to work with you to help you to recover and heal from addiction. I offer counselling for addiction, PTSD and dissociation in Wiltshire and online