Addiction Recovery
Over the years research has led to the creation of certain beliefs around substance misuse and addiction. Some believe that it plays a role in our life script or may be a result of childhood trauma. Others feel that is used as a crutch to numb the pain and anxiety they feel. More recently others state that it can be viewed as an attachment issue – we become attached to the substance as it can never leave and will always be there for us.
Whatever the reasons they are certainly complex and are personal to each us.
Whatever the reason, we tend to turn to substances to help alleviate the discord of the conflict in our inner worlds. Once addicted the prevalence of drugs and alcohol in our community can make kicking the habit very difficult. In addition, it can be hard to find the will power to refrain from substance abuse as often the strongest attachments and bonds are with people who have the same exposure to this complex environment.
Helen Fischer’s research suggests that some drugs mimic the same reaction in the brain as being in love- a strong attachment in and of itself. Some substances certainly take away our inhibitions and help us be more “ourselves.”
A widely used term these days is self-medicating. A more positive view of this might be that people are merely searching trying to help themselves find relief.
You might want to find an experienced therapist familiar with addiction issues who works in a non-judgemental environment and will help you work out what going on with you, help you to take responsibility and encourage you to be honest with yourself. Your conscious mind may very much want to change your addictive behaviours, but your unconscious mind might have very different ideas. Therapeutic intervention may help you place your conscious mind in the driver’s seat and enable you to take control.
When you contact The Practice we will refer you to one of our highly specialised addiction therapists. They will put together a treatment plan truly tailored to your needs with your own personal addiction therapist.
We are pleased to say that we meet the standards of the EHC referral process, and are now accepting Education, Health, and Care (ECH) plan referrals.
Whatever your chosen path to recovery we will accompany you every step of the way.
“That which does not kill us makes us stronger." Friedrich Nietzsche
Helpful articles often written by our fabulous practitioners.
Find a Practitioner:
BSc (Hons), MBACP
Jane is an experienced integrative psychotherapist who practices using a combination of therapeutic approaches, ensuring that therapy is tailored to meet the individual need, be it short or long term.
Dip. Therapeutic Counselling, MBACP
Fabio is a qualified Integrative therapist and a fully registered member of the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (BACP). He specialises in addiction and psychological trauma and has worked in various Addiction Treatment Programs across the Southeast of England, including the Priory in Roehampton. He has helped deliver a robust 12 step treatment program to clients struggling with both substance and behavioural addictions. He understands the many challenges a client in addiction faces on their journey and helps them address their issues with empathy and compassion.
BA Philosophy, MSc. Addiction, Psychology and Counselling.
Daniel is a psychotherapist and counsellor working with individuals, couples and families. His areas of expertise are relationships, addictive behaviours, depression, anxiety, conflict resolution and anger management.