Addiction Counselling London
Addiction counselling is offered by The Trauma Practice as a stand alone therapy or as part of rehabilitation recovery or alongside: fellowships like, Alcoholics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or if you are part of Al-Anon and need additional support.
Addiction counselling has no set format. We offer person centred therapy which means we follow your lead and talk about what ever you feel you need to talk about. We will also step in when needed and offer interventions when we feel they might be appropriate. For example if you have an underlying trauma which is where your addiction originates we will suggest processing the trauma. As well as basic counselling we will also work in an in depth psychotherapeutic way if suitable. When we do this the sessions are more in depth and help to promote long lasting change for abstinence.
Topics which might be spoken about in addiction counselling might include:
- Practical help and support
- Why you have been using an addiction to support yourself: the Why?
- Referral to helpful organisations and resources
- The development of a personal support plan
- Developing better coping mechanisms
- Getting to know yourself better
- Looking at addressing relapse prevention
What Is An Addiction?
An addiction is when you have a strong physical or psychological need or urge to carry out a behaviour or use a substance even though the behaviour or substance might cause you or other people harm. Harm might be defined as psychological problems, physical damage or money problems. The four elements of a substance addiction include: compulsion, control, craving and consequences.
An addiction is not the same as a habit. A habit is repetitive behaviour like an addiction but with an addiction there is loss of control and a continuation of the behaviour despite the harm it causes.
What Is An Addiction?
An addiction is when you have a strong physical or psychological need or urge to carry out a behaviour or use a substance even though the behaviour or substance might cause you or other people harm. Harm might be defined as psychological problems, physical damage or money problems. The four elements of a substance addiction include: compulsion, control, craving and consequences.
n addiction is not the same as a habit. A habit is repetitive behaviour like an addiction but with an addiction there is loss of control and a continuation of the behaviour despite the harm it causes.
Types Of Addiction
When we think of an addiction we might initially think of alcohol, drugs or substance addictions. The scope of addiction is wide and covers almost anything, from substances to activities or feelings. Examples of addiction might include:
Substance addictions - drugs, alcohol, nicotine.
People addictions - love, sex, co dependency.
Activity addictions - gambling, hobbies, watching pornography, exercise, work.
Thought addictions -obsessional thinking, worrying, fantasy.
Feeling addictions - guilt, hate, rage, anger.
Types Of Addiction
When we think of an addiction we might initially think of alcohol, drugs or substance addictions. The scope of addiction is wide and covers almost anything, from substances to activities or feelings. Examples of addiction might include:
Substance addictions - drugs, alcohol, nicotine.
People addictions - love, sex, co dependency.
Activity addictions - gambling, hobbies, watching pornography, exercise, work.
Thought addictions -obsessional thinking, worrying, fantasy.
Feeling addictions - guilt, hate, rage, anger.
What Causes Addiction?
Addictive behaviours are influenced by a number of different factors. These include brain chemistry, mental health, trauma and genetics. There is a strong link between a mental health difficulty e.g. anxiety and addictive behaviour. The same is true of trauma. Anything which causes a feeling of unease or discontent, feeling ungrounded, feeling disconnection, feeling traumatised or lack of fulfilment can contribute to addictive type behaviours. Difficulties which can cause these feelings include: physical, emotional and sexual abuse, trauma, shame, wounding and division within an individual.
What Causes Addiction?
Addictive behaviours are influenced by a number of different factors. These include brain chemistry, mental health, trauma and genetics. There is a strong link between a mental health difficulty e.g. anxiety and addictive behaviour. The same is true of trauma. Anything which causes a feeling of unease or discontent, feeling ungrounded, feeling disconnection, feeling traumatised or lack of fulfilment can contribute to addictive type behaviours. Difficulties which can cause these feelings include: physical, emotional and sexual abuse, trauma, shame, wounding and division within an individual.
Do I Need Addiction Counselling?
There are a number of signs which show that you have an addiction that you need some help with. These signs might include:
- The substance no longer provides relief
- Obsessively thinking about the activity or substance
- Being unable to imagine life without it
- The addiction is encroaching into other areas of your life
- Prioritising the addiction at the compromise of your values
- The substance or activity controls you
- Rationalising and justifying why you are addicted to something that is unhealthy
- Friends and relatives are beginning to notice that something is wrong
Do I Need Addiction Counselling?
There are a number of signs which show that you have an addiction that you need some help with. These signs might include:
- The substance no longer provides relief
- Obsessively thinking about the activity or substance
- Being unable to imagine life without it
- The addiction is encroaching into other areas of your life
- Prioritising the addiction at the compromise of your values
- The substance or activity controls you
- Rationalising and justifying why you are addicted to something that is unhealthy
- Friends and relatives are beginning to notice that something is wrong
Addiction UK %
Professional help for addiction
Matthew Alderton - Psychotherapist
MA, BSc, PG Dip, Dip Psych
I trained at The Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education in London to become a counsellor and psychotherapist. I am also an EMDR practitioner. Addictive type behaviours are very closely linked to trauma. These traumas might vary in severity and may have happened a long time ago. Addiction problems are symptoms of an underlying difficulty. Addiction counselling and a psychotherapeutic approach can help you to resolve these underlying difficulties. This makes practical changes, to help manage addiction, easier. I use counselling, psychotherapy, EMDR and body psychotherapy to help with difficulties related to addiction. I am an advocate of fellowship and the 12 step programme. I am approachable and down to earth helping you to feel safe whilst using trauma informed therapy.
Addiction Counselling London Approaches
Addiction Therapy Benefits
Root
When you get to the root cause of an addiction managing it becomes easier and normal life can resume.
One day at a time
Learn to treat each day as it comes. Take one step at a time without feeling overwhelmed by your addiction difficulties.
Connect
Connect with yourself on a psychological, physical and spiritual level.
Health
Find healthy ways to manage difficulty and process your triggers to make addiction easier to manage.
Life
Learn to accept life on life's terms without needing to use an addiction as a crutch for support.
Happiness
Feel happier because you are making changes and doing something positive for yourself.
Anxiety Therapy Benefits
Root
When you get to the root cause of an addiction managing it becomes easier and normal life can resume.
Health
Find healthy ways to manage difficulty and process your triggers to make addiction easier to manage.
Connect
Connect with yourself on a psychological, physical and spiritual level.
Happiness
Feel happier because you are making changes and doing something positive for yourself.
Life
Learn to accept life on life's terms without needing to use an addiction as a crutch for support.
One day at a time
Learn to treat each day as it comes. Take one step at a time without feeling overwhelmed by your addiction difficulties.
Addiction Counselling London FAQ's
How long does addiction therapy last?
Addiction counselling is usually twelve weeks of therapy. This enables you to get the support you need in early abstinence. If you are looking to do some more self development therapy might last longer.
What happens in an addiction counselling session?
Addiction counselling is a talking therapy to help support you through the early stages of abstinence and work through the root cause of your addiction. We dicuss the difficulties you have in relation to living a life in active addiction and provide practical help for you to manage this during early abstinance.
Will I have to manage my addiction forever?
Everyone is different. Some people work a programme on a daily basis to keep themselves safe. For some people addiction difficulties recede into the background and do not play a major role in their lives.
Client's Experience Of Addiction Counselling London
Addiction Counselling London
We are located at Beachamp lodge in Little Venice Paddington. We are a two minute walk from Warwick avenue and a five minute walk from Paddington station.
Centre For Counselling & Psychotherapy Education
Beauchamp Lodge
Little Venice
Paddington
London
W2 6NE
Therapy Enquiry
If you would like to book therapy with us or have a therapy enquiry please fill in our contact form.