Addiction Psychologists Sydney

How do I know if I am an addict?

Addiction can manifest and present in many different ways. For many Australians with addiction concerns, it may be hard to identify whether their behaviour is considered addictive. Here are some common signs indicating that you may have an addiction:

1. You ‘crave’ or have a strong desire for a specific substance or behaviour
2. You have tried and failed to cut back on the substance or behaviour multiple times
3. You feel as though the substance or behaviour is required in order to cope with day-to-day life
4. You continue to use the substance or engage in the behaviour despite obvious negative financial, relationship, or health impacts
5. You experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop the behaviour or substance use
6. You find yourself prioritising the substance or behaviour over work, personal life, relationships, or activities you usually enjoy

If one, multiple, or all of these indicators sound or feel familiar to you, it may be time to seek help. If you’re not ready to talk to a mental health professional, speaking to a loved one can go a long way in addressing the issue and understanding how your addiction may be impacting your life.

What are the symptoms of addiction?

Together with the above signs indicating a possible addiction , there are also various symptoms of addiction. These include:

• Lack of control
• Changes in mood, behaviour, or personality
• Difficulty concentrating and inattentiveness
• Anxiousness
• Irritability and short temper
• Becoming withdrawn and isolating yourself
• Sudden mood swings
• Lack of motivation
• Unexplained paranoia
• Tunnel vision of the substance or behaviour in question

What causes addiction?

There is no single cause or reason for an addiction to develop. Rather, addiction is often the result of a number of contributing factors, including:

• Genetics: Research suggests that addiction is something that runs in families, meaning that some people may be more predisposed to addictive behaviours than others.
• Psychological factors: Mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or trauma can increase the likelihood of addictive behaviours and addiction.
• Environmental factors: Exposure to certain environments with substances, behaviours, and general risk-taking can increase the risk of addiction.
• Developmental: Those who are exposed to or begin using substances at a young, developmental stage are at risk of developing an addiction.
• Social factors: People who experience social isolation, stress, or lack of social support are at risk of developing addiction or a dependence.

How can an addiction psychologist help me?

Seeking help from an addiction psychologist is an important part of addiction treatment and recovery. An addiction psychologist is a mental health professional that can employ a wide range of strategies to treat addiction, including:

• Assessment and diagnosis of addiction
• Different types of therapy to understand and identify any issues that may be contributing to addictive behaviours
• Ongoing support and guidance
• Multi-disciplinary approach with other treatment providers
• Providing educational resources and insights

In short, an addiction psychologist will provide a wealth of services designed to ensure that you have all of the support required to treat addiction and live a healthy, fulfilling life.

An addiction psychologist can also provide support for the family, friends, and loved ones of those with an addiction.

What can I expect from addiction counselling?

This depends on the type of addiction you’re seeking treatment for, the psychologist, and the type of therapy used. Generally, addiction counselling and sessions with a psychologist for addiction treatment will involve:

• Identifying triggers and coping strategies
• Managing underlying physical or mental health conditions
• Improving communication skills and prioritising relationships
• Dealing with traumatic experiences
• Increasing self-awareness of behaviours
• Improving self-esteem
• Learning to take accountability
• Providing compassionate, judgement-free support

How do I maintain recovery after drug and alcohol counselling?

Recovery from alcohol and drug addiction is a lifelong journey that requires commitment, self-awareness, and support from the people around you. Everyone’s relationship with addiction and substance abuse is different, so it is vital to develop a personalised recovery plan and coping strategy to suit your unique needs.

What works for some people might not work for you, but several strategies are proven to help manage recovery in the long run, including:

1. Continuing to attend therapy or group counselling: Recovering from drug and alcohol addiction is an ongoing process that requires consistent focus and energy. Regularly attending addiction counselling and working with a professional is one of the primary ways to monitor and manage your addiction. 
   
2. Develop a strong network of supportive friends, family, and peers in recovery: It cannot be overstated the role of a supportive network in recovery. Build relationships with positive people that support your recovery journey and understand the challenges of addiction. It is vital to have people that provide encouragement, accountability, and guidance. You need people around you that will help keep you motivated and focused on your recovery goals.
   
3. Identify your triggers and avoid high-risk situations: With alcohol and drug addiction, everyone has triggers and situations that can cause distress. It is crucial to recognise your triggers, including the people and places that cause you discomfort or create a temptation to use substances. Develop practical strategies to avoid or cope with these triggers, such as finding healthy alternatives or a more supportive group of people.
   
4. Practice Healthy Habits: Focusing on your physical and mental wellbeing is crucial in the recovery journey. Exercising regularly, eating a balanced healthy diet, and getting adequate sleep will make you feel more positive, energised, and committed to your recovery.
   
   Learning healthy coping techniques such as journaling, meditation, deep breathing exercises, and mindfulness is also beneficial. Find what works for you, and actively practice these methods to manage stress and maintain a positive mindset.

Do I need to go to group counselling sessions?

For some, group counselling may be an important part of addiction treatment. It is not necessary to attend group counselling to benefit from individual sessions, and vice versa. Whether group sessions suit you will depend on your circumstances and personal preferences.

A group counselling session often has a group facilitator trained in that specific addiction. It brings a social aspect to treatment. For some, working with peers may increase motivation and help them feel less isolated. However, some people may not feel safe in a group environment or respond well to other participants.

Group counselling sessions may explore similar issues as individual counselling sessions – e.g. relapse prevention, healthy coping strategies, routine development, and stress management. However, this will be on a more general level, and less specific to the individual.

If you’re interested in group counselling, simply conduct an online search for therapy groups for your specific addiction in your local area. You may also connect with a social worker to get a referral to your local support network.

How can I convince my loved one to seek help for addiction?

If a family member, friend, or partner has an addiction, it can be extremely difficult to navigate how to approach this with them. In most cases, people with addiction struggle to identify the problem themselves, and will not agree with others when the problem is brought up.

Here are some strategies to convince your loved ones to seek help:

1. Do your own reading. Learn as much as possible and become educated about everything there is to know about addiction and the treatment options available. This will allow you to have an informed conversation with your loved one and provide them with accurate and factual information about addiction.
   
2. Have an open, honest conversation. When approaching your loved one about addiction concerns, make sure to go into the conversation in an open, non-judgemental way. It’s important that you’re honest and able to express your concerns, but it’s also essential to give them space to converse with you about these concerns.
   
3. Be there for them. The most valuable thing you can do for your loved one is to provide support, and offer the gateway to professional support if they are not able to reach out to a mental health professional themselves. Offer to help them find resources and treatment options, as well as a safe space to open up to you about their addiction.
   
4. Seek support for yourself. It is extremely difficult to support someone who is going through addiction, particularly if they are in denial and in a bad cycle. Supporting and caring for an addict is emotionally draining, frustrating, and isolating. New Vision Psychology provides professional counselling and psychology services for anyone affected by addiction in any capacity.
   
5. Be aware that treatment is only effective if your loved one can come to terms with their addiction. Ultimately, the decision to seek help for addiction is up to them – if they do not believe that they have a problem, they may not want to seek help.
   
6. Set boundaries. In order to protect yourself and your own well-being when supporting someone with an addiction, set clear boundaries for what is and what is not ok.

How long will I need to see an addiction psychologist? 

Dealing with drug, alcohol, gambling, sex, internet, or any other type of addiction is complex, and everyone’s journey is different. Therefore, knowing how long you will need professional addiction counselling is impossible. The duration of your treatment will vary depending on the severity of your addiction and your personal recovery goals. For some people, it takes weeks, for others it takes months, and for many it is a lifelong battle.

When it comes to addiction recovery and professional counselling, the most important step is to start. By starting your therapy journey and seeking the help of an addiction psychologist, you are making productive progress on the path to recovery and taking control of your life.

At New Vision Psychology, our team of professionals in Sydney will provide you with the compassionate and supportive environment you need to deal with your addiction. Your psychologist will be able to assess your situation and your needs, indicate what the recovery process will look like, and provide practical strategies for you to take into your daily life.

Can I receive counselling and treatment for multiple addictions at once? 

Of course. There are often common underlying issues and causes for different addictions, and they can worsen each other if not addressed. Through multiple years of providing addiction counselling in Sydney and helping Australian people in recovery, we understand the importance of tackling co-occurring addictions at once.

At New Vision Psychology, our registered and clinical psychologists use a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to address the root cause of addiction. By understanding the underlying issues, we can develop personalised recovery plans and provide effective coping strategies to help people overcome their addictions.