Addiction Counselling

General And Drug Addiction Counselling

When people become addicted to a substance or activity, it often results from the need or wish to reduce emotional stress and physical pain. Many people are familiar with common addictions such as alcohol dependency or drug abuse, but other addictions include shopping, internet use, gambling, sex or pornography.

In general, people have habit-forming tendencies to a certain degree – but some people are more susceptible to addiction, which can often be due to contact with an environment of substance abuse, experiencing mental health issues or hereditary factors. Most people with addiction-related issues require professional assistance to break free from addictive patterns and cycles of behaviour, which is where counselling can be of assistance. Whether patients need drug addiction counselling or alcohol addiction counselling in Melbourne or Sydney, it’s important they talk to someone they trust and feel comfortable with.

What are some classic addiction symptoms?

• Ignoring domestic or business-related responsibilities

• Relationship deterioration directly resulting from addictive behaviour

• A lack of ability to stop or reduce addictive behaviour, often accompanied by unsuccessful attempts

• Distress or irritability accompanying a lack of substance use (withdrawal) and feelings of normality when use is resumed

• Requiring increasing amounts of the substance to achieve noticeable effects

• Scheduling commitments and one’s life around periods of using

• Not being able to function or cope with day-to-day life without the substance

Addiction treatment

Quite often, addictions can be a result of emotional issues that need to be resolved. Without acknowledgement and resolution, these problems and their subsequent addictions can increase in severity, destroying relationships and any quality of life.

As part of the general and drug addiction counselling process, a psychologist’s main concern is determining the cause of your addiction and the trigger points for addiction- and relapse-related behaviour. They will also work to help you take control over your addiction, so it does not end up controlling you. These steps can include identifying and ending addictive patterns, becoming familiar with coping strategies that help to manage day-to-day stress, and altering negative thought patterns. These effective techniques are part of the treatment process for drug addiction counselling, general addiction assistance and alcohol addiction counselling.

Addiction types

• Addiction to alcohol

• Addiction to pornography

• Drug or substance addiction

• Sex addiction

• Gambling addiction

• Addiction to the internet

Medicare rebates

It’s possible to receive Medicare rebates for psychological treatment from registered psychologists as part of the Federal Government’s Better Access to Mental Health Care initiative. This program gives considerable and appropriate financial help to people who live with mental health issues, which provides better access to psychologists and access to affordable mental healthcare.

In order to receive this Medicare rebate, your psychiatrist, GP or paediatrician will have to complete a full mental health assessment and create a Mental Health Treatment Plan before you are referred to a psychologist for alcohol addiction counselling or drug addiction counselling.

If you require compassionate, affordable and effective drug addiction counselling or alcohol addiction counselling