Addiction Counselling in London

Addiction counselling gives you back your life when a bad habit has taken over

Are your bad habits controlling you?

It's not just substances that can be addictive, such as alcohol or drugs. Many activities can become addictions, including gambling, shopping, using the internet, porn, and even sex.

How does addiction work? 

When we engage in an enjoyable activity, we reap the benefits of our brain's 'feel good' chemicals. This can give us a buzzy, even 'high' feeling.  

For some people, seeking out that high’ turns into a compulsive and uncontrollable desire. Even if getting it means increasingly negative and harmful consequences, or if the original activity itself has long stopped being fun. This is addiction. 

Signs of addiction

Addiction can mean we act more and more erratically.  It can mean lying and hiding things from loved ones, and of course lying to ourselves. It involves feelings of shame, loneliness, and self-hatred. And then there are the physical side effects to manage, such as general exhaustion, sleep issues, and constant colds and flu.

It becomes harder and harder to keep up appearances as addiction slowly takes a toll on all areas of our lives, including relationships, finances, career, and family. 

What is addiction therapy and psychiatry?

Therapy for addiction helps you to examine the underlying causes that started the vicious cycle you are caught in, and the triggers that lead to each relapse. If your addiction is serious, you may also need to meet with a consultant psychiatrist, who can refer you to a rehabilitation centre if a residential stay is recommended.

Addiction counselling can also guide those around you, such as family and friends, to better understand your addiction and how to support you during your recovery. 

CBT for addiction 

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a widely-used treatment for addiction that many therapists at Harley Therapy^TM are trained in. CBT focuses on helping you understand the thoughts, feelings, and behaviours that contribute to cycles of dependency.

It can also be combined with mindfulness, a tool found by research to help with substance abuse and cravings¹. Or with other forms of therapy to suit. Most of our addiction therapists are 'integrative', meaning they are trained in several schools of psychotherapeutic thought. 

Addiction services at Harley Therapy™ London

It can take a lot of courage to overcome your feelings of shame and seek help for addiction. At Harley Therapy^TM you are in safe hands. We have one of London's most highly regarded team of mental health experts, all of whom are trained at top institutions, have years of experience, and care passionately about what they do.

We of course offer therapy for alcoholism, gambling counselling, and porn addiction therapy, but also counselling for any other dependency you struggle with, even things like texting or romance addiction.  

Related mental health issues

An addiction therapist or psychiatrist can also recognise and help you deal with any other psychological issues that may have been part of why you were vulnerable to addiction in the first place, or be a side-effect of it.

Common 'dual diagnosis' disorders and issues include:  

• anger issues
• anxiety and panic attacks
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 
• childhood sexual abuse or trauma
• depression
• obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• psychosis
• self-harm
• sleep disorders. 

Tackling addiction – The Harley Therapy™ approach

Call us for a confidential chat to see how we can help with your addiction or with someone you know who needs some support. Or fill out our online booking form to make an appointment. We offer sessions at Harley Street, London Bridge, and in the City of London, as well as online counselling to suit. 

FOOTNOTES

¹Garland, Eric L, and Matthew O Howard. “Mindfulness-based treatment of addiction: current state of the field and envisioning the next wave of research.” Addiction science & clinical practice vol. 13,1 14. 18 Apr. 2018, doi:10.1186/s13722-018-0115-3.