Addiction
Many of us use substances or behaviours to cope with stress, difficult emotions or challenges in life. Sometimes, however, this use can become difficult to control and begin to affect our health, relationships, work, finances or daily life.
Addiction can involve alcohol, drugs, gambling, gaming, food, shopping, sex or other behaviours. It is not a sign of weakness or failure; it is a complex issue, and support can help you understand and change the patterns that are keeping you stuck.
What addiction can feel like…
- Feeling unable to control, reduce or stop a substance or behaviour
- Spending increasing amounts of time thinking about, using or recovering from it
- Continuing despite negative effects on your health, relationships, work or finances
- Using it to cope with stress, anxiety, low mood, loneliness or difficult experiences
- Neglecting responsibilities, interests or relationships
- Feeling cravings, urges, guilt or shame around your use or behaviour
- Needing more of a substance or behaviour to achieve the same effect
- Experiencing distress or withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop
Help with addiction
I will support you to explore the factors that may be contributing to your addiction in a confidential and non-judgemental space. Together, we can identify triggers, develop healthier coping strategies and work towards practical, realistic changes at a pace that feels manageable.
Recovery is possible, and asking for support is an important first step. Where appropriate, I can also encourage you to access specialist medical or addiction services alongside therapy.