Addiction Counselling | How it Works & What to Expect

‘Counselling a drug addict’ is, in many ways, the same as counselling anyone else. The key difference is the focus on the role of addictive stimuli (either a substance or behaviour) in an individual’s life, including how it impacts their lives and even the lives of others. It involves assessing and unpicking the relationship an individual has with their addictive stimuli, including considering how and why a dependency may have developed. These conversations can often move away from addiction itself, shifting to considering any underlying factors that may affect your wellbeing, or even identifying harmful thought patterns you may have in connection with addiction.

Counselling

Counselling is a type of support provided by a trained therapist. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy explain that:

‘Therapy provides a safe and confidential space for you to talk to a trained professional about your issues and concerns. Your therapist will help you explore your thoughts, feelings and behaviours so you can develop a better understanding of yourself and others.’

Counsellors can be distinguished from other professionals such as psychiatrists as they do not:

• Prescribe medication
• Offer advice or options

Instead of providing these things, counsellors focus on assisting you to ‘find your own solutions’ in a supported environment.

Counselling takes a holistic view of ‘problems.’ This means that you may find during addiction counselling you may not even speak about substances that much. This is because therapists can help you identify the cause and effects of ‘problems’ by helping you notice the impact of difficult memories, thoughts or feelings. For example, your counsellor could ask you to speak about:

• your triggers
• your relationships with other people
• your experiences as a child
• what types of things cause you stress
• how you might react when you are stressed
• context on your current life situation (work and home life)

By taking a broader approach, counsellors can help you consider the ‘roots’ of problems and contributing factors. They can also help you to highlight harmful cycles that may be colouring your general mental health as well as your relationship with substances.

Counselling usually takes place on an appointment basis, for between 45 minutes and an hour. You will typically meet with your therapist beforehand. After that, you will continue to meet with the same professional in order to help you to build a working rapport.

Furguson concludes that addiction counsellors frequently take the stance that addiction is not a search for pleasure but an attempt to cope with the unbearable.’ Such a view shows a sensitive and dimensional approach to addiction. It suggests that addiction counselling will come from a place of understanding and support rather than blame. But with that being said, addiction counsellors are able to help you identify problematic thoughts, feelings and behaviours and urge you to take moral responsibility when and where appropriate.

Addiction counselling will be useful in instances where an individual’s use of drugs and alcohol no longer appears to be in their control. Assessing if this is the case for you is a difficult process, as addiction, by nature, can frequently be coloured by denial. You are best placed to decide if you need addiction counselling if you are honest with yourself. You can start by asking the following questions:

• Have you ever felt the need to cut down on your drinking or drug use?
• Have people annoyed you by criticising your drinking or drug use?
• Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking or drug use?
• Have you ever felt you needed a drink or used drugs first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover (an eye-opener?)

If you answer ‘yes’ to one or more of these four questions, then this indicates ‘a possible substance use disorder and a need for further testing.’

You can also reflect on common symptoms of addiction, such as:

• Difficult sleeping
• Changes in eating habits
• Changes in weight
• Having low energy
• Appearing to have a ‘personality change’
• Grinding teeth
• Appearing anxious, on edge or irritable
• Unpredictable mood
• Dilated pupils
• Frequently feeling unwell
• Reduced socialising
• Conflict in relationships
• Reduced personal hygiene
• Reduced home maintenance
• Engaging in violent or otherwise criminal behaviour
• Low attainment at work or school
• Reduced engagement with hobbies
• Lying, hiding or minimising substance use

Addiction counselling is not there to judge you – it is there as a resource to help you get back on track without the crutch of substances. If you can identify any of the above symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it may be time to access specialist support.

Addiction counselling has the potential to be the thing that helps you to turn your life around. With our specialist drug and alcohol services providing addiction counselling up and down the country, you can access support across the UK. Whether you decide that a detox-led drug residential rehab or a course of addiction counselling is for you, an appropriate form of support is available. Contact us today to begin a positive change.