Addiction Therapy

Addiction is defined as not having control over doing, taking, or using something to the point where it could be harmful to you. Increasingly common today, addiction is a chronic but treatable disease that affects people of all ages, ethnicities and genders and is heavily influenced by psychological, genetic, and social factors.

Individuals with an addiction usually find it hard to attend to the activities of daily living, and they often experience feelings of anxiety, loss of hope, feelings of emptiness, irritability or depression. They also frequently struggle with relationships. Sage’s Addiction Therapy is a form of outpatient rehabilitation that allows patients to continue with their day-to-day life while attending regular confidential appointments and therapy sessions. Treatment is designed to help patients achieve changes in behaviors associated with their addiction.

Addiction is most commonly associated with gambling, drugs, alcohol, and smoking, but it’s possible to be addicted to just about anything, including:

• Work – some people are obsessed with their work to the extent that they become physically exhausted; if your relationship, family and social life are affected and you never take holidays, you may be addicted to work.
• Internet and gaming – as computer and mobile phone use has increased, so too have computer and internet addictions; people may spend hours each day and night surfing the internet or gaming while neglecting other aspects of their lives.
• Shopping – shopping becomes an addiction when you buy things you don’t need or want to achieve a buzz; this is quickly followed by feelings of guilt, shame or despair.
• Solvents – volatile substance abuse is when you inhale substances such as glue, aerosols, petrol or lighter fuel to give you a feeling of intoxication.
• Sex Behavior – is compulsively engaging in sexual activity despite any negative consequences that may occur including detriment of important aspects of your social and occupational life.
• Gambling – is when you experience a compulsive urge to gamble something of value in the hope of gaining something of greater value.
• Alcohol and/or Substances – involves an overpowering desire to use the substance, increased tolerance to the substance and/or withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the substance.

There are many reasons why addictions begin. In the case of drugs, alcohol and nicotine, these substances affect the way you feel, both physically and mentally. These feelings can be enjoyable and create a powerful urge to use the substances again.

Gambling may result in a similar mental “high” after a win, followed by a strong urge to try again and recreate that feeling. This can develop into a habit that becomes very hard to stop.

Being addicted to something means that not having it causes withdrawal symptoms, or a “come down”. Because this can be unpleasant, it’s easier to carry on having or doing what you crave, and so the cycle continues.

Often, an addiction gets out of control because you need more and more to satisfy a craving and achieve the “high”.

There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to addiction treatment. Choosing the appropriate treatment depends on the severity and type of addiction; the support available from family, friends and others; and the person’s motivation to change. With the help of our experienced and trained professionals, individuals suffering from addiction will be able to disrupt addiction’s powerful effects on the brain and behavior and regain control of their lives.

Who can benefit from it?

In most cases, individuals with addictions do not see that their addiction is out of control and is causing problems. This so-called denial, however, may simply be a lack of awareness or insight into the situation. If you are experiencing the following symptoms, you may benefit from Sage’s Addiction Service:

• If you are addicted to substances/controlled drugs or prescribed medications.
• If you are addicted to gambling/sex behavior/shopping etc.
• You are craving for something; and
• You are losing control in the amount of frequency you are using it; and
• You feel the compulsion to use it; and
• You use it despite the consequences.

Therapies

The exact therapies may vary depending on the specific addiction and the individual’ specific needs, but they generally include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
• Medication Assisted Treatment.
• Contingency Management.
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy.
• Family Therapy.
• Group Therapy.