Help With Addiction
If you are struggling with addiction or dependency understanding why you've found yourself here might be a crucial part on the way to bringing life back under some control.
Whatever you're dependent on is serving a dysfunctional purpose and either filling an emotional hole or distracting you from addressing thoughts that you'd rather avoid. The challenge is to find a way to fill the space positively and constructively.
When we are angry or frustrated with ourselves or others for destructive behaviour, and when we dismiss addiction as "weakness" we are worsening the problem which created the addiction in the first place. At the heart of an addict is disconnection from a healthy sense of self, the world and the people in it. To criticise and demonise serves only to make matters worse.
Disconnection can be healed through
- Creating clarity around addiction as a condition
- Exploring the thinking and behaviour of addicts
- Considering the particular challenges of both being and living with an addict
- Finding practical ways of dealing with the reality of addiction
Recovery and the role of counselling
There is a big difference between rehabilitation, recovery and counselling for addiction problems. In essence, any work you do to try and understand and change the root of your addiction is a waste of time while you are still engaged in the addictive behaviour.
While there is help available for people who want to detox from a drug or alcohol habit, or those who are battling a gambling problem there is little in the way of structured counselling support to help you understand why the problem arose in the first place.
I can help you understand what role your addiction has been playing in your life and work towards finding something healthier and more sustainable to put in its place.
What next?
Depending on your situation, you may or may not be ready to engage in therapy. So I'm listing below some resources you might find helpful.
If you think you might have a dependency, especially on alcohol.
Download a copy of my guide 'Out Of Control - Identifying A Problem With Drink'. It's full of information on signs of addiction.
Speak to your GP, and be honest about how much you drink when they ask you.
If you know you have a problem but you don't know where to get help.
Change Grow Live - an alternative to the fellowships (AA, CA, NA)
Smart Recovery - another alternative to the fellowships
FRANK - find drug and alcohol support near to you
Sideways podcast - This is a podcast I've been making since 2020 with my friend Martin who is a recovering alcoholic. You can find out all about it and listen to it here
In the meantime, if you'd like to read some further and wider thoughts on addiction check out these blog posts.
This first one is written by Martin who now works in a rehab facility helping others towards recovery from substance abuse. His insight is invaluable because he understands both the darkness of addiction, and the relief and peace which emerges from finding a healthier and more positive path.
Why You Can't Remain A Functioning Alcoholic
Finally, you might like to watch this TED talk on the importance of connection in addiction and recovery.
If you have any questions about the support I can offer please don’t hesitate to contact me.