Find an Addictions Therapist

Understanding addictions and how they affect you

Addictions cover a wide range of repeated behaviours that can feel difficult to control. For many people the term brings to mind alcohol or drug dependence, but it also includes behaviours such as gambling, gaming, shopping, or compulsive use of the internet. Addiction often develops over time as certain patterns of behaviour become reinforced. That pattern can affect daily routines, relationships, work or studies, and how you feel about yourself.

When you are living with an addiction, the experience is rarely only about the behaviour itself. There are often underlying factors such as long-standing stress, unresolved trauma, social isolation, or mental health difficulties that interact with the urge to use a substance or engage in a behaviour. Therapy aims to help you recognise those patterns, understand what keeps them in place, and develop new ways of coping that feel more manageable and meaningful.

Signs you might benefit from specialist help

It can be hard to judge when a pattern has become a problem, because habits can feel normal when they are part of daily life. You might notice that the behaviour is taking up more time, costing more money, or causing strain with family, friends or employers. There may be repeated attempts to cut down that do not last, or a build-up of shame and secrecy. You might find that cravings interrupt your concentration, that mood swings become more frequent, or that you rely on the behaviour to manage difficult feelings.

If the behaviour is affecting your sleep, appetite, motivation, or physical health, or if it leads to legal or financial difficulties, these are further reasons to seek professional support. You do not need to wait until a crisis occurs to contact a counsellor. Early therapeutic work can reduce harm, help you set realistic goals, and build the skills you need to make lasting change.

What to expect in therapy for addictions

First sessions and assessment

Your first few sessions will usually focus on building a working relationship and understanding your unique situation. The counsellor will ask about the behaviour that brought you to therapy, its history, and the impact on different areas of your life. They will also want to know about your physical health, current supports, and any other emotional or mental health concerns. Together you will set goals for therapy - these may be immediate safety or harm-reduction aims, or longer-term objectives such as reducing use, restoring relationships, or changing routines.

Working on change over time

Therapy for addictions is rarely a single technique applied once. Instead you will collaborate with a counsellor to identify triggers, practise strategies for coping with urges, and experiment with alternative behaviours. Sessions may include skills training, thought-work, relapse planning, and reviewing what helps you stay motivated. Progress is often gradual, and setbacks can provide useful information about what needs to be adjusted. A good therapist will help you to learn from those setbacks and to plan concrete steps for moving forward.

Common therapeutic approaches used

There are several approaches that are commonly used to support people with addictions, and many counsellors integrate more than one method depending on your needs. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you to examine how thoughts, feelings and behaviours interact and to practise practical strategies for reducing use and managing cravings. Motivational interviewing focuses on exploring your own reasons for change and strengthening your motivation without pressure. Acceptance and commitment therapy invites you to clarify your values and to take committed action towards them even when urges are present.

Other approaches that may be offered include family or systemic work to repair relationships affected by addiction, relapse prevention planning that focuses on identifying high-risk situations and coping responses, and trauma-informed therapy when past experiences are connected to the addictive pattern. Some clients find group work or mutual aid programmes helpful alongside individual therapy. If medication is being considered as part of treatment, a counsellor will usually work in partnership with your GP or specialist services to coordinate care.

How online therapy works for addictions

Online therapy is now a routine option for people seeking help with addictive behaviours. You can meet a counsellor by video call, telephone, or in some cases text-based sessions. Online work lets you access specialists outside your local area and can make it easier to fit sessions around work or family commitments. It is important to agree with the therapist how to manage practical matters such as session timing, payment, and how to handle an urgent situation if it arises between appointments.

Many people find that digital sessions are as effective as face-to-face work for talking therapies. However some types of assessment or treatment may be better suited to in-person contact, so a counsellor will discuss what is most appropriate for your needs. If you have limited privacy at home, consider whether a walk-and-talk telephone session or attending a therapy room would work better for you. Personal information is handled according to professional standards and data protection law, and you can ask a therapist about their record-keeping and data practices before you begin.

Choosing the right addictions counsellor for you

Finding the right therapist is a personal process. Consider practical factors such as whether the counsellor is registered with a recognised UK body such as BACP, HCPC, or NCPS, their experience with the specific behaviour you are concerned about, and whether they offer the style of therapy you prefer. Accreditation and registration indicate that a practitioner meets professional standards and engages in ongoing training and supervision.

It is also useful to think about rapport - how comfortable you feel talking with the counsellor, whether they listen without judgement, and whether they can explain their approach in a way that makes sense to you. Ask about the typical duration of therapy, how often sessions are scheduled, cancellation policies, and fees. If the issue brings safety concerns - for example ongoing self-harm, severe withdrawal symptoms, or thoughts of harming others - discuss with the counsellor how those risks will be managed and whether additional medical or crisis support is recommended.

Initial conversations or phone calls can help you to gauge fit before committing to regular sessions. Some counsellors offer a short consultation so you can ask about their training and approach. You can also check whether they work with families, offer group programmes, or coordinate with local services to support a broader recovery plan.

Preparing for your first session and next steps

Before your first appointment it can help to make a few notes about what you want to change and any immediate concerns. Think about patterns - when urges occur, what thoughts or feelings accompany them, and what has helped or hindered attempts to cut down in the past. Be open about other health issues, medication, and support networks so the counsellor can tailor their work to your situation.

Therapy is not a quick fix, but many people find that focused, consistent work brings meaningful change. If the first counsellor is not the right fit, it is acceptable to try another. Seeking help is a significant step and, with the right support, you can build new strategies for managing urges, repairing relationships, and creating routines that support your goals. When in doubt about immediate safety, contact emergency services or local NHS crisis lines for urgent assistance.