Navigating Addiction: How Personalised Approaches in Counselling Can Help

Addiction is a complex issue that affects millions of people worldwide. It can take many forms from substance abuse to behavioural addictions such as phone or pornography. Each person's circumstances and journey through an addiction is unique, which is why a personalised approach in counselling is essential. In this blog post, I will explore various strategies that counsellors use to help individuals navigate their addictive behaviours.

Understanding addiction can often be the first step toward recovery. It is not usually just about the substance or behaviour itself, but often more about the underlying issues that contribute to it.

Personalised counselling focuses on the individual, taking into account their specific circumstances, history, and needs. This approach can lead to more effective treatment outcomes.

What is Addiction?

Addiction is a term used to describe a compulsion towards or reliance on a substance or behaviour which we often replicate despite harmful consequences. We understand that this process is often driven by unmet needs, emotional pain and physiological reinforcement.

Addiction affects the body, mind and relationships; creating cycles of craving, relief and loss of control.

There can often be societal stigma related to this and some people actually prefer not to use the word addiction at all, preferring alternatives such as dependency, compulsive behaviour or coping mechanism. However you view or define it, it is important to know that living with difficulties should not be stigmatised or seen as some sort of moral failure, rather framing the recovery process as one of compassion, healing and growth.

The Importance of Personalisation

Personalisation in counselling means tailoring the treatment plan to fit the individual. This can include:

• Understanding the individual's background: Each person has a unique story. Your past experiences, family dynamics, and social environment can all play a role in contributing to an addictive behaviour.

  
  

• Identifying triggers: I work with clients to identify what triggers their addictive behaviours - be it stress, anxiety, or specific social situations. Befriending, rather than demonising, what we find as we journey is essential.

  
  

• Setting realistic goals: Personalised counselling helps you to set achievable goals towards a place that you want to get to. These goals can be short-term or long-term, depending on the your needs; do you want to work towards changing a pattern of behaviour or seek to stop a certain behaviour? We work with your goal and your intentions.

  
  

By focusing on these aspects with you, we are often able to create a realistic and effective plan focused towards change that meets your needs and respects your history.

Different Approaches

There are several approaches that counsellors can use to personalise treatment. Here are a few common methods:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a widely used approach in addiction counselling. It can help understand the connection between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.

• How it works: Counsellors guide clients to identify negative thought patterns that contribute to their addiction. By exploring and attempting to challenge / change these thoughts, we often find we can change our behaviour.

  
  

• Example: A person who uses alcohol when they feeling stressed or overwhelmed, may learn to recognise the pattern they follow e.g. "I need a drink". They can then challenge their thoughts and seek to develop alternative coping strategies, such as exercise or meditation e.g. "I feel like I need a drink, maybe I could go for a swim after work to help me destress".

  
  

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

MI is an effective approach when working with addictive behaviours. It focuses on enhancing our motivation to change, potentially unlocking resources we have within us to move towards the place we want to be.

• How it works: Counsellors use specific techniques including open-ended questions and reflective listening to help you explore your feelings about your addictive behaviours. You are gently encouraged to look at these from different perspectives, viewpoints etc. and weigh up the benefits and draw backs of individual situations.

  
  

• Example: A counsellor might ask questions to allow clients to think about their goals and explore the benefits of change. "I really want to be able to go to work on Monday without a sore head".

  
  

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

DBT is particularly useful for individuals with co-occurring mental health issues.

• How it works: It can help you to regulate your emotions, tolerate distress, improve relationships, and practice mindfulness skills.

  
  

• Example: If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, we may focus on skills like grounding and opposite action, which may help to reduce distress and strengthen emotional regulation

  
  

Building a Supportive Environment

A supportive environment is crucial for recovery. I often encourage clients to build a network of support. This can include:

• Connection: Involving loved ones in the recovery process can provide additional encouragement and accountability.

  
  

• Support groups: Mutual aid groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or SMART recovery offer many people a sense of community where they feel seen, heard and not judged. For many people coping with an addiction, sharing experiences with others can be incredibly healing.

  
  

Relapse prevention

Relapse prevention is an important aspect of any recovery process. It helps people to maintain their progress after completing any treatment program.

• Continued counselling: Many people find they benefit from ongoing counselling sessions. This provides a space to discuss challenges and successes as they continue to move away from their addictive processes.

  
  

• Relapse prevention strategies: Developing specific long-term strategies to avoid relapse. This can include identifying high-risk situations or creating a plan to cope if / when old patterns present themselves.

  
  

• Life skills training: Learning practical skills, such as stress management and communication, can empower you to navigate life without wanting to return to addictive behaviours.

  
  

The Impact of Technology on Addiction Recovery

Technology has changed the recovery landscape and there are now a wealth of online resources and mobile apps which offer new and more bespoke ways for people to access support, tailored to their needs.

There are numerous apps designed to support individuals in recovery which can provide daily motivation, track progress, and connect users with support networks.

Many mutual aid groups offer online meetings to support you regardless of your location, accessibility requirements or availability. Many people find that having options can be liberating and empowering.

Embracing the Journey to Recovery

Navigating addiction is not easy, but counselling can help make a difference. By focusing on the your unique needs, counsellors can help provide the support necessary for your recovery.

The journey to recovery is often filled with ups and downs. However, with the right tools and support, you can overcome the challenges along the way.

If you are struggling with addiction, help is available.