Addictions

Symptoms

• A reliance on a substance or a behaviour that you may engage in repeatedly, where it has taken control of you and your life.
• It may be the overuse of drugs, alcohol, eating, shopping, sex, gambling, internet or work.
• A little of that thing is fine, but you may find yourself not able to stop or control it.
• You may find yourself craving that thing and be irritable, or have withdrawal symptoms until you get the next fix.
• This may take over your thoughts, feelings and behaviours, impacting your life, partner and family.
• It may begin as a calming technique for the stress or pain you are experiencing, but then it takes on a life of its own.

Remedies

• With some exploration of your situation, life stage, recent events and family, it is possible to understand the cause of your addiction, which may change your behaviour.
• With some therapeutic counselling, it is possible to learn to manage your addiction and triggers and learn how to take care of self in a more appropriate way.
• It is possible to learn new ways of managing your difficulties, so that it does not result in harm to you or your family.
• It is possible to learn to relax your body and mind with techniques like progressive muscle relaxation.
• Utilising mindfulness, you can learn to be an observer of your thoughts, feelings and sensations without being disturbed by them.
• Using a technique called focusing, first with the therapist and then on your own, you can learn to stay present to your body symptoms, which allows them to shift, change and bring relief.
• It is possible to use techniques like tapping, TFT, EFT with the therapist as well as on your own to soothe, calm and settle your distress.
• Utilising modalities like sand play therapy, art and expressive therapy, symbol work, working with parts and dream work it is possible to rework and transform your thoughts, feelings, behaviours and body sensations in relation to your situation.
• Utilising Bi-lateral Stimulation Processing, it is possible to rework and transform any past traumatic or painful events and any current triggers that may be contributing to your addiction.
• With the use of hypnotherapy it is possible to access the unconscious mind to develop inner resources and coping capacities, as well as changing undesirable patterns and habits.

With some exploration of your situation as well as utilising a variety of therapeutic modalities, it is possible to overcome your triggers and addictive behaviours and reconnect to enjoyment and fulfilment of life.