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Addiction

Addictions affect individuals, families, work and communities.  These effects are biological, social, emotional, cognitive and spiritual.

How I work with you regarding addictions

If you are the person with the addictions concern, we would begin by looking at the history of your use of activities that are causing you difficulty and their impact on your life.  We would explore the times when they are not problematic and what triggers you to use the substance or activity in ways that are harmful.  We would look at what you have tried to control the addiction and would explore all the options that are available to you in terms of controlling or stopping the harmful activity.  These range from self-help up to intensive residential treatment.  You would then choose what strategies you want to try, and we would plan, practice, implement and evaluate how they work for you.  If your behaviour has impacted negatively on others, and you would like to improve that relationship, I would ask you to invite that person to join us in counselling.

If you are a loved one, we would begin by looking at the impact of the other person's addiction on you, and what you have tried to affect or control that person's behaviour.  What will work will depend on what you, and the person with the problem are willing to do or not to do.  We would explore the various options that are available to you, and choose, practice, implement and evaluate these strategies and how they work for you and your loved one.  They would range from self-help to intensive residential family treatment.  If you wish to maintain or improve the relationship then I would ask you to invite that person to join us in counselling.

About Addictions

In societies around the world people are turning more and more to chemical and other stimulants to cope with or avoid the problems of their lives.  The range of activities that can become addictive are:

• alcohol 

• illegal drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, amphetamines  

• prescription drugs (such as methadone, T3's or other pain killers without a prescription)

• gambling

• pornography (often on the internet)

• sex

• eating

Most people engage in the above activities without harm, so it is important that you recognize some of the signs that show that you are becoming addicted:

• NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES:  When the activity is more important than work, family, social relationships, financial stability and/or physical health.  

• TIME WASTED:  When the activity is how most of your life is spent, this includes time spent  thinking about, planning, obtaining and engaging in the activity.

• DEPENDENCE:  When you need to do more and more of the activity to get the same good feelings.

• WITHDRAWAL:  When you feel sick or anxious when you are not engaged in the activity.

The causes and effects of addictions affect the biological, social, psychological and spiritual health of people, families and communities.

What Works for Treating Addictions

Depending on the addiction, there are many professional and self-help options if you are concerned about yourself or a loved one.  

In B.C. there are outpatient alcohol and drug addictions services in most cities.  These centres can screen for addictions, provide individual, family, couple and group treatment options, and refer into the residential treatment system. In the Links page you can access the Kaiser Foundation web site which lists services in your area.

There are many 12 step groups available in communities (how to contact?)

There are counsellors, social workers, doctors, and psychologists who specialize in addictions and you can find out who they are by calling their associations (listed in the white and yellow pages) and requesting the names of  these professionals.  The various Associations in B.C. are the: Association of Clinical Counsellors; the Association of Social Workers, the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the College of Psychologists.

Other Resources

For Web Sites see the Links page.

Addiction    Anger     Anxiety     Assertiveness     Communication     Depression     EMDR

Emotions Management     Goal Setting      Grief and Loss     Health and Well-Being     Healthy Couples

Life Transitions     Meditation     Parenting & Step-Parenting     Separation & Divorce     Sexual & Physical Abuse

Trauma     Worry