People can become addicted to just about anything. Some of the more common addictions are smoking, drugs, alcohol, gambling, sex, and shopping among countless others. An addiction is when you feel a compulsive need to do something and you have no ability to control that desire. Addictions can interfere with your way of life, be detrimental to your health, cause financial problems, damage your family or social relationships, and completely overtake your life. Addictions can also cause you to hurt yourself or someone you love.
We can help you manage your addictions through behavioral and cognitive counseling. The type of therapy you undergo will differ based on the type of addiction you have and the severity of that addiction. If it is a particularly harmful addiction the therapy will be intensive with an objective of stopping the behavior as soon as possible. Other addictions that have less serious consequences can take on a more gradual process. Your therapist will help you develop a plan to eliminate your compulsive behavior. When trying to quit an addiction your stress level will increase, so it is important to speak with your therapist about managing your stress. You will also speak to your therapist about what makes you act on your impulses, how you feel when you act on them, if your actions are related to any other events in your life, etc. This can help you determine the reason for the addiction and help you to better deal with it.