THERAPY FOR ADDICTION AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Serving Kitchener-Waterloo, Milton, Oakville, London, and the surrounding areas, Anchoridge Counselling wants to help you overcome any addiction and/or substance you may be struggling with.

Imagine you have an experience - you drink, take a drug, win a game, have a sexual experience, overeat, or make a large purchase - and suddenly, everything feels great. You feel as if success is easy, negative thoughts and feelings aren't present, the emptiness is gone and it feels good to be alive. There is something to depend on to be okay again.

We live in a world where anything can be coined "an addiction", from drugs to food, to television or sex. An addiction is something that is outside of ourselves that we use to modify our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Whatever the form of the addiction, it is likely that serves a very specific purpose in your life: escape. Usually, addictions are a way of coping.

There are many misconceptions about addiction, including people believing that addiction is a choice. This creates a stigma about people struggling with this and makes it difficult for people to get help. However, addiction is a multi-faceted, complex condition, arising from many elements including:

Biological Factors - genetics, and physiological factors

Psychological Factors - personality factors, trauma and abuse, and mental health conditions

Environmental Factors - family, accessibility, peer groups, and employment

Although addiction can take on many forms, the outcome is typically the same if left untreated: isolation, loss, mistrust, and ultimately the breakdown of personal and professional relationships as well as your health.