The aim of addiction counselling is to first help you identify whether you have an addiction, and then, to help you overcome your addiction.
Addiction is when we are doing anything obsessively in our lives. Some addictions are more harmful than others ie alcohol, drugs, gambling and overeating. There are many more addictions. Often these things have over taken our lives and appear to control a lot of how we live. Addiction is usually the covering up of some form of hurt within us and the addiction gives temporary relief to the difficulties within. It is most helpful to firstly find ways to move away from our addiction and then to uncover the reasons behind going there in the first place.
Addiction can be described as any behaviour that we do in excess that is in some way having a negative effect on our lives. The more obvious addictions that we see in counselling is alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography and overeating. There are more types that are less well known like shopping, video games/internet, hoarding etc.
Addiction counsellors can help you identify whether you have an addiction and may suggest a course of counselling sessions to help overcome your addiction.