Addictions Recovery
Are you concerned about an excessive, or compulsive use of a substance, or continued participation in a certain behaviour? Do you continue this behaviour even when it is clear that IT, the substance or behaviour mignt be causing you harm?
Have you tried to stop whatever IT is, and just cannot? Or, have you stopped IT for a while and then fallen back into the same old destructive pattern?
Another useful question to ask yourself might be – Is my use of IT - this substance or behaviour costing me more than money? Is IT affecting my self-esteem, my self-confidence, my relationships, my health, my work, my hope, my life?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes - then you might be dependent or addicted.
People don't usually set out to become addicts. If you are relying or dependent on some substance or process, it may be that you are trying to ‘fix’, forget or solve something in your life, for example shyness, isolation, trauma, loss, anger, social anxiety etc. It may be your attempted solution has become the problem.
Any addiction, substance or process, can be a very effective but destructive way of escaping or numbing out from overwhelming or unbearable experiences.
With these questions in mind, take a moment to imagine how your life would be if you could overcome your dependency problem and its roots. Whatever IT is you are addicted to or dependent on - just take a moment now. Picture your world free of the burdens of addiction that might be holding you back, silencing you, perhaps even leaving you ashamed, dejected, hopeless, lonely and confused.
Perhaps a part of you even craves this freedom more than anything?
On the other hand, perhaps there is another part of you that is questioning whether it's even possible to overcome this pain – the pain of addiction -- shame, sleepless nights, broken relationships, fear, depression, despair, traumtic memories- whatever it might be?
I'm here to invite you to consider that change is always possible, when you are ready take the first steps and put in the work.
Overcoming addictions and associated difficulties is possible when you reach your personal 'rock-bottom', your turning point, and are able to take that first step towards admitting to yourself “I cannot beat this on my own. I need help." There are many ways to recover.
Some of the most successful abstinence-focused routes to recovery from addictions, include the Twelve Step Fellowships. The spiritual programme of 12 Steps and 12 Traditions continues to be literally a lifesaver for many alcoholics and addicts globally, but it's not for everyone, however, for a variety of reasons. The steps were devised in the 1930s, the language is patriarchal and dated, and the frequent reference to 'God' unfortunately puts many off.
I work both with people who want to overcome their addictions either through participation in Twelve Step Fellowships and with those who want to find another way out of addiction.
If you'd like to explore how therapy can support you as you address your addictions and its roots, whether you are taking your first steps or are in your ongoing recovery process, please get in touch for a free 20 minute phone call with me to discuss your needs.
