Addiction

We are all prone to habits - it is a perfectly normal part of life. A problem arises when these habits start to affect your daily life, emotions and relationships or tip into addictive behaviours.

Sometimes addictions can be used as a way to mask other mental or emotional problems. Ultimately, having difficulty controlling or becoming dependent on behaviours or substances that have harmful effects on us. This can have detrimental consequences on our everyday life. Our addictive behaviours can cause feelings of inadequacy and/or low self-esteem which might cause us to rely more on our addiction. We may find ourselves caught in a pattern of repetition, much like a revolving door. In these cases it becomes vital to address all the issues involved.

The term “self-medicating” is being used more and more to describe the way in which people are dealing with a problem in their lives. When we feel under pressure, overwhelmed or just that something is not right in our lives and that causes pain and distress it is only human to gravitate towards something available to us to ease our discomfort. You feel bad but don’t know why, so you find something that makes you feel better. It is very unhelpful to label people with addictions as those who can’t help themselves, when in reality they have tried to find a way to support themselves but have, sadly, chosen and unhealthy way to do it.

Common Symptoms of Addiction can include:

  • Inability to limit use of a substance or activity to the extent that they show signs of physical impairment.
  • Intense cravings and compulsions to use the substance or activity
  • Escalating use of the substance or activity – indicting tolerance.
  • Continued use of the substance or activity despite increasingly negative consequences.
  • Irritability, anxiety, poor focus, the shakes and nausea if they attempt to withdraw from the drug or activity.
  • Repetitive relapsing
  • Personality and behavioural changes, such as taking risks (either to make sure they can obtain a substance/activity, or doing so while under the influence.)
  • Neglecting responsibility and important activities in everyday life, including school/work.
  • Becoming increasingly obsessed with focussing all their time and energy on ways of getting their substance/activity.

Addiction can take many different forms and affect people in many different ways. Exploration and discussion may help you to understand why you are behaving in this manner. Please consider contacting you GP or a trained counsellor if you feel you are struggling with an addiction or addictive behaviour.

The Practice offers a number of bespoke Addiction Recovery Packages and forms of addiction help that may assist you if you are having difficulties with addiction. Counselling can help address issues such as addiction or addictions, alcoholism, sex addiction, gambling, drug addiction and internet addiction.