I've spent a number of years specialising and working with addiction both as a private counsellor and addictions therapist in a residential drug and alcohol treatment centre and for a local charity.
I have extensive experience both personally and professionally in this field and I view addiction as a form of escape usually from painful experiences that have happened either in the present or the past. Addiction is the solution to escape an issue, that then becomes another issue in itself. Therefore, when working with addiction my approach is to first help my clients get into recovery (stop using the addictive substance or doing the addictive behaviour) and then to look at the reason why they became addicted in the first place. If the why is not identified and explored then clients remain vulnerable to their addiction and the chances of relapse (return to use or behaviour) are high.
I understand addiction and the pain and suffering it causes not just the addict but also family members therefore I also specialise in working with the families and those affected by the addict they love. I have a deep compassion for those affected and understand the complex process of addiction and the characteristics that can be helpful and unhelpful in recovery. I know what is needed to be in place in order to support and maintain a good recovery and families to also take care of themselves. It can be a painful and frustrating experience to watch someone that you care for in addiction.
Counselling can help to process your challenging feelings. It can also help you to understand what help is and what it isn’t. Some ways in which you ‘help’ an addict may actually be supporting and enabling your loved one’s addictive behaviour!
Addiction can be defined as something you have a compulsion to do that actually causes harm to yourself or others, yet despite this you are unable to stop or regain control. It can take many forms:
Taking that first step and asking for help can be hard, it is also the most important first step you will make in your recovery from addiction and back to yourself. I will work with you without judgement and with empathy at a pace that suits you to support you into recovery.
If you would like to arrange a free 30-minute telephone assessment then please contact me.
If you feel that residential rehabilitation may be better suited to your recovery needs follow this Public Health England link.
"Addiction starts with pain and ends with pain, whatever you are using drugs, alcohol or food you are using something to cover up you pain" (Eckhart Tolle, 2009).