Find Therapists for Addiction Near You

What you need to know about addiction therapy

Addiction therapy is the broader term for the range of treatments available to those suffering from addiction. This can include talking therapies, medicines/substitute drugs, and detox treatments, among others. Most people who seek help from an addiction therapist do so on the grounds of drug or alcohol misuse but it’s also possible to find support for other addictions, such as sex or gambling. 

How addiction therapy works depends on the type of therapy that you opt for and the issue that you are treating. At the first appointment you’ll likely be asked about your current dependency level, your personal situation (e.g. work, family and housing), the impact of the addiction on your life, and whether you have received any addiction counselling previously. From here, the therapist will work with you to figure out the best approach for you personally. It’s common for different therapies to be used together to form a more effective treatment strategy, but this isn’t always the case. 

Talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), are a common form of addiction counselling. Talking therapies help patients to understand their own thoughts and feelings, leading to better self-awareness and decision making. For example, CBT teaches patients to break down their problems into manageable chunks by recognising and adapting negative thought patterns.

While not necessarily run by a qualified professional, services like life coaching and groups like Alcoholics Anonymous can provide invaluable additional support. Some patients also benefit from taking part in a structured rehabilitation programme, either as an inpatient or an outpatient. On these programmes, substitute drugs are sometimes administered to support withdrawal, while other medicines might be prescribed to treat underlying issues.

When looking for therapists for addiction it’s important to consider things like qualifications, experience and specialisms. But this can make it difficult to know who to turn to, which is where My Health Assistant comes in. We find addiction therapists near you so all you have to do is pick the one that best suits your needs.