Posted by Addiction is the term used for the person who is not able to control certain habits and behaviors and they become harmful for them. Some examples are alcohol addiction, gambling addiction and substance use disorder etc. counsellors build a relationship which is based on trust with the patient so that they can support them in a judgment free way.
What is addiction?
What can be considered to be relatively innocent behaviors or at the very least ordinary social habits might give rise to addictions. Alcohol use, gambling, overeating, having sex, and surfing the internet are just a few examples of typical activities that can develop into darker, more harmful compulsions.
The psychological and physical effects of these behaviors and routines might lead to addiction. They may be enjoyable and serve as a means of escape for those going through tough situations. However, this temporary feeling of pleasure might leave someone with a strong urge to carry on with the habit so that they can feel the same way again and again.
In some cases they may not know about the addiction and the effects it is having on their lives and the people around them. When their addiction is formed out of some form of trauma or past experience or some kind of mental issues then it is quite difficult for them to have a control over it and they may need someone who can help them out for this.
For many people, it’s not as simple as giving up the habit. Recovery from addiction requires time, patience, and a lot of support from family and friends. The individual will need to take the necessary steps to comprehend what might have contributed to the addiction and learn how to both overcome it and regulate their emotions going forward.
Common addictions
Some common addictions for which people take counseling are:
- Drug addiction
- Gambling addiction
- Sex addiction
- Smoking
- Internet addiction
- Substance abuse
- Alcohol addiction
Signs and symptoms of addiction
Common actions and warning signs of addiction include:
- Avoiding social interactions or ignoring relationships
- To support their addiction, they might borrow money or sell their assets.
- Attempting to conceal or lying about the behavior that frequently causes mood swings
- Skipping out on social gatherings, work, or school
- Losing interest in activities which they used to enjoy earlier
Need for counseling
In other circumstances, the negative effects of addiction may not become clear until the affected person goes through a crisis, such as when the addictive behaviour or substance is suddenly no longer available. However, there are those who will be able to begin their recovery well before the issue reaches a crisis point. This is often what drives people to seek counselling. With the technological advance and avialablity of state-of-the art platform they can also seek online counselling.
You are at a significant risk for relapse even after the detox, when your body is no longer dependent. Some psychologist and societal elements might operate as strong relapsing triggers for them:
- Stress, particularly unexpected life pressures
- Environmental cues, such as going to a neighborhood
- Social media sites, such as hanging out with friends, colleagues etc who still use them
These factors have the potential to increase the urge to use. Counselling teaches you how to control your desires and deal with life’s challenges without using drugs or alcohol.
Usually, talking to someone about your feelings is the first step in getting addiction treatment. If you have an addiction, you might not feel comfortable talking to your friends or family about it, but you do have access to a lot of different services.
Addiction Counselling
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT):
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is frequently used in addiction counselling because it enables patients to recognize unhelpful behaviors and transform them into helpful ones. CBT helps in addressing any underlying issues that frequently occur with an addiction. This is crucial in assisting the person in understanding the root of their problems and in taking the necessary action to deal with them.
The cycle of addiction is interrupted and patients are provided with a different way of thinking, behaving and feeling to the same situation in their future. With this they are able to look at the difficult situation in a different light.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT):
Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) is a form of talking therapy that was developed to help people who experience emotions very deeply. It is based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). DBT encourages people to feel, recognise, and embrace their challenging emotions in order to help them learn how to manage them. Although it is primarily used to address problems related to borderline personality disorder (BPD), it is increasingly being used to treat a variety of other difficulties or problems as well.
DBT is designed to assist individuals in attaining additional control over their thoughts, the way they feel, and the way they behave. When someone is struggling with an addiction of some kind, negative thought patterns can easily become overwhelming and dominating, which impact their moods and behavioral tendencies.