Addiction can be defined as a strong need to regularly consume a substance or engage in an activity without the ability to guarantee control of frequency, intensity or duration, and without the ability to stop despite a desire to stop and/or painful or negative consequences. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has outlined a simple way of describing addiction. They describe an Calgary addiction counselling as the presence of the 4 C’s: 1. craving, 2. loss of control of amount or frequency of use, 3. compulsion to use, 4. use despite consequences.
What causes addiction?
Addiction can be influenced by a variety of factors in an individual’s life. These can include, but are not limited to: 1. Genetics, 2. Chemical Makeup of the Brain,3.Environment,4.Mental Health Issues, 5. Difficulty coping with feelings and thoughts.
Who is affected by addiction?
Individuals affected by addiction come from all phases and walks of life. Research has shown that adolescents and young adults (ages 15 to 24) are more likely to experience addiction disorders than any other age group. Generally, men have higher rates of addiction than women.
What are the warning signs of addiction?
The signs and symptoms of substance dependence vary according to the individual, the substance they are addicted to, their family history (genetics), and personal circumstances. Some warning signs that you or a loved one may be addicted to a substance or activity include:
1. Continuing the activity despite knowing it is hurting you or your loved ones – even if the addiction is causing major problems with work, school or family, the individual continues to use the substance or engage in the activity
2. No longer engaging in enjoyable activities – this could include hobbies, socializing or sports
3.Engaging in risky behaviour to fuel the addiction – this could include stealing money to support the addiction, an alcoholic driving under the influence to get more alcohol or a pornography addict choosing to engage in unsafe sex with a stranger to escalate the fantasy and subsequent high.
4. Obsession around the addiction – an individual may spend an excessive amount of time and energy engaging in their addiction, so much that their life begins to revolve around it
5. Seclusion – to hide their addiction, individuals may begin to remove themselves from social situations and will engage in their addictive activity alone
6. Tolerance – many times individuals who are addicted to a substance will build up a tolerance, and need more and more of the substance to obtain the same level of pleasure they have felt in the past
7. Consuming substances to avoid withdrawal – withdrawal symptoms can include nausea, insomnia, sweating and shaking
8. Financial difficulties – individuals may spend all of their money on their addiction.
Role of Calgary Addiction Counselling :
Calgary addiction counselling plays an important role in addressing the multifaceted nature of addiction. Trained counsellors provide evidence-based therapies tailored to each person’s unique needs, whether it’s cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, Narrative therapy, Psychodynamic therapy or emotional therapy.
Treatment approaches in Calgary addiction counselling:- Each case of addiction must be reviewed individually and treatment plans are often created to help individuals in the manner that they will find most helpful. Treatment options for addiction include self-help methods, medication, treatment programs, spiritually focused solutions within faith communities and 12-step groups, and counselling.
1. Family Therapy:- The goal of counselling is to help clients reach their goals. If a client’s goal is to stop using the substance or addictive behaviour to cope with negative life circumstances and feelings that accompany these, counsellors can help clients create a plan of action and can teach clients new skills for self-soothing and managing moods.
2. Motivational Therapy:- If a client is unable to stop but desires to, or has family or friends encouraging them to change, counsellors can offer assessments of the stage of change the client is in and can engage in motivational interviewing to help the client move forward through the stages.
3.Supportive Counselling:-They can also offer supportive counselling or relationship counselling if others are involved. If a client has painful feelings from their past, counsellors can help clients process these events in new ways, leading to happier, more fulfilling lives.
4.Narrative therapy,5. Psychodynamic therapy, 6.Emotion Focused Therapy, 7.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and 8.Solution Focused Therapy methods can all be helpful with addictions, along with many others. Counsellors will tailor a treatment plan for clients based upon their therapeutic framework, training and experience, along with client goals.
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