What is Addiction?
Although many people associate addiction issues with alcohol or drug use, a person can become addicted to any substance or activity that provides a thrill or ‘high’. If you feel physically or psychologically dependent on seeking that ‘high’ despite the harmful impact it has on your day to day functioning or health, you are suffering from an addiction.
Some of the symptoms of addiction include:• Excess use
- Inability to manage everyday life without the substance or activity
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Lying
- Change in performance
- Escalating financial problems
Substance misuse refers to repetitive use of a substance in a way that is damaging for an individual and can lead to dependence on a substance. Dependence involves developing a tolerance for the substance over time and going through withdrawal symptoms without it. Examples of substances that are often misused include:
• Alcohol
• Cannabis
• Cocaine
• Heroin
• Methamphetamines
• Club drugs
• Ecstasy
• GHB
• Ketamine
• LSD
• PCP
• Nicotine
Behavioural addictions occur when behaviours are used excessively to help the person cope with difficult thoughts and feelings. Examples of addictive behaviours include:
• Compulsive shopping
• Gambling
• Pornography
• Internet use
• Eating
If you feel that the above applies to you, you may benefit from therapy to help you battle your addiction.
Which therapies might help me?
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
Schema therapy (ST)
All the psychologists at My Online Therapy are trained to deliver specialist therapies for addictions.
