I believe that people who use substances or use a particular behaviour, are using them to 'numb' any emotional pain that they are in. Those who engage in such behaviours, are usually looking for ways to 'fix their feelings', with the desire to escape from any issues or problems causing that person to feel a certain way, this in turn then activates the reward system in the brain.
Addiction may involve substances such as alcohol, inhalants, cocaine, opioids, nicotine, and behaviours such as gambling.
Someone with Mental Health conditions such as depression and anxiety have an increased likelihood to use substances or gambling behaviour.
An addiction is a chronic dysfunction of the brain system, it involves reward, memory and motivation. When the body craves a substance or behaviour it has little concern over consequences, which can result in compulsive or an obsessive pursuit of reward.
When a person has an addiction to a behaviour or a substance, they feel rewarded when used it, therefore the brain craves the reward which provides the incentive to repeat the activity. The term 'reward system' describes a group of structures, activated by rewarding or reinforcing stimuli, such as drugs or alcohol. The neurotransmitter dopamine levels are increased when the brain is exposed to a rewarding stimulus.
Substance use and gambling behaviour not only engage the same brain mechanisms, they respond to many of the same treatment approaches.
Symptoms of addiction
* Recurrent use of a substance, or engagement with an activity, that leads to impairment or distress, is the core of addictive disorder
* You have a desire to cut down or stop, or efforts to stop have been unsuccessful
* There is a craving or strong desire to use or engage in the behaviour
* The activity or substance is used for longer periods of time or in larger amounts
* Use or activity has caused problem with work, home or school
* You find that is takes a significant amount of time to recover from its use
* You keep taking drugs for health problems when they are no longer needed
* You need more of the substance to get the same effect, and you take more to be able to feel an effect
* You've lost interest in things you once liked to do.
The addiction treatment programme
I offer an individual addiction treatment programme in Bury, helping clients to move towards a happier life by looking at different coping strategies, and exploring and identifying what may be the root cause to such behaviours. I help clients towards complete abstinence or to find ways to control their substance intake or behaviours.
I am dedicated to ensuring that you receive a completely personalised treatment plan, in order to produce the best possible outcomes for you as an individual.
I am registered member of FDAP which is the Federation of Drug and Alcohol Practitioners, Click here to visit their site
What to expect
Our first session will consist of discussing your needs and tailoring the programme to meet them. Work can be intense, if you work with the programme and do any homework set then you will get the maximum benefit from it.
Sessions are usually weekly, or twice weekly depending on your circumstances.