Treating Addictions

During the counselling process, a psychologist will aim to uncover the cause of your addiction and discover the trigger points for addictive behaviour. They will also take the relevant steps in helping you to control the addiction so it doesn’t control you. This includes breaking addictive patterns, learning coping strategies to manage day to day stresses and changing negative thinking patterns.

Addictions come in number of guises, but can take a serious toll on physical and psychological health. Our Psychologists will work hand in hand with your Doctor to ensure that the most effective plan is put in place to assist you overcome your addiction.

Symptoms of an addiction can include:

• Feeling unwell or moody without the substance and feeling normal when you resume use.
• Need increasing doses of the substance to achieve the same effect.
• Neglecting responsibilities at work or home.
• Your relationships are deteriorating as a result of the addictive behaviour.
• Attempts to cut down or stop the addiction have been unsuccessful.
• Organising events and appointments around the timing of use.
• You have an inability to cope with everyday life unless you take the substance.

Symptoms of addictions may include depression, panic attacks, sleep disturbance, obsessive-compulsive traits, deteriorating relationships and poor work performance.

Addictions are very common throughout Australian society and can happen to the best of people.

There are a growing number of “soft” addictions with the advent of new technology.  These forms of addictions can be associated with pornography, sex addiction (including visitation of brothels), online computer gaming, shopping and gambling. “Hard addictions” are often those involving substances such as alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, amphetamines, stimulants, hallucinogens, and prescription medications.