Addiction Counselling

Addiction Counselling

Addiction counselling is a type of therapy that helps people who are struggling with substance abuse or other addictive behaviours. This type of counselling focuses on helping individuals understand and manage their addiction, as well as any related problems that may have contributed to the issue. Counselling often involves exploring the underlying causes of addiction and helping the individual develop coping mechanisms and strategies to reduce their risk of relapse. Counselling sessions may also include developing a support system, problem solving, and lifestyle changes that can reduce the risk of relapse. For those who are in recovery, counselling can help them maintain and reinforce their sobriety.

What is an Addiction?

When life spins out of control, there can be an urge to look outside of yourself for something to make it feel better. The challenges seem too overwhelming to face. Whether it’s drugs, alcohol or gambling the “interventions” in which we choose to engage might make us feel better quickly. This can make it seem like our intervention is working. You might feel as though the activity gives you more confidence, and a distraction from the challenges you’re experiencing. But sometimes these seemingly short-term solutions to life’s challenges make our lives spin even more out of control. Over time, you may need more and more of the substance or activity to make your feel better. You might start to experience negative changes to your body and your brain. Eventually creating significant disruption in your relationships with others, work life, and health.

An addiction is a strong and compulsive need to have or do something that is typically harmful in some way.

There are many different kinds of addictions, but the most common include alcohol, drugs (prescription or recreational), gambling, sex, and shopping.

Signs of an Addiction

Sometimes it can be difficult to pinpoint whether there is an addiction because it can flip from healthy to unhealthy over a long period of time. There are four critical questions that help clarify if an addiction is affecting you:

  • Do you have cravings for the substance or activity?
  • Do you lose control over the amount and frequency of use?
  • Do you have an overwhelming need or compulsion to use?
  • Do you use regardless of the consequences to yourself and others?

If you have answered “yes” to any of these questions, it may be time to get more information about dealing with addictions and unwanted behaviours.

Treating Addictions

The first step is recognizing and admitting that something is wrong. Having an awareness of the issue allows you to make decisions about how you’re going to move forward towards resolving it.

Pathways Counselling has specially trained mental health professionals who can provide you with counselling support. A mental health professional can help teach you the strategies needed to stop the cycle of addiction, understand the behaviour, resolve underlying challenges, and get back to thriving without the addictive substance or activity.

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