There are many different types of addiction, such as addiction to alcohol, cigarettes, illicit drugs, prescribed medication, food, sex, the Internet, video games, gambling and/or shopping. An addiction does not just harm you physically, but also emotionally since it often makes you isolate yourself due to the shame and guilt. Your addiction can also cause you many financial and relationship problems in your life.

Many people with an addiction deny – or refuse to acknowledge – that they have a problem. If you feel that you need more and more of the substance/engage more and more in the behavior to get the same amount of pleasure as before and you have tried to quit before without any success, you might have an addiction.

Our addiction counselling is based on the ADAPTs Treatment Programme. To overcome an addiction, you must first of all be willing to quit. If you have the desire to quit, you will find huge benefits from our individual addiction counselling sessions. With the help of your counsellor, you will be able to identify the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that trigger and maintain your addiction. You will get insight into risky situations and people to avoid and get tools on how to unlearn your bad habits. You will also learn new healthier skills that will help you to handle difficulties in life and that will enable you to live your life free from your addiction!

Most addiction to substances begins with experimental and social use of the substance. This usually progresses to habitual use and finally to dependence and addiction. The core symptoms of addiction to substances include:

• Having intense urges for drugs or alcohol

• Over time needing more drugs or alcohol to get the same effect

• Making sure you maintain a supply of drugs or alcohol

• Spending money on drugs and alcohol even though you cannot afford it

• Neglecting work, family and social life because of drug or alcohol use

• Engaging in illegal activity such as stealing or fraud to get drugs or alcohol

• Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol

• Failed attempts to stop using drugs or alcohol

• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking substances

Gambling addiction is a form of thrill seeking addiction with mainly psychological, emotional and financial consequences. As a result of the problem behaviour, work, family and social difficulties could arise. The main symptoms of gambling addiction are:

• Spending more money and time on gambling than you can afford

• Finding it difficult to stop or manage gambling

• Frequent disagreements with family and friends about money and finances

• Losing interest in other activities

• Constantly thinking about gambling and winning

• Gambling until you have no money left

• Borrowing money, selling possessions and stealing to fund gambling habit

• The need to gamble with larger amounts or spend more time on gambling activity to get the same buzz or thrill

• Neglecting work, family and other responsibilities because of time spent gambling

• Feeling depressed, anxious, angry and distressed due to gambling

• Feelings of guilt and shame

Sexual addiction is characterised by compulsive participation or engagement in sexual activity, particularly sexual intercourse despite negative consequences. Symptoms of sex addiction include:

• Engaging frequently in more sex and with more partners than intended

• Constant pre occupation and craving for sex

• Unsuccessful attempts to cut down and reduce sexual activity

• Neglecting other activities due to frequent participation in sexual activity

• Spending excessive amounts of money to engage in sexual activity

• Anger and feeling irritable when cravings for sex not satisfied

• Increased need for sex in order to achieve same effect

• Continued engagement in sexual activity despite harmful consequences

There are numerous causes for addictive behaviour. Genetics may play a role in certain types of addictions, but this is inconclusive. In a significant number of cases, people use addictive behaviour to cope with adverse circumstances or emotional and psychological difficulties. Boredom and stress contributes to addictive behaviour and also helps sustain and maintain these behaviours. A lack of vocation, family and social support increases the risk of developing an addiction and reduces the chances of overcoming the addictive behaviour. Certain personality types are also prone to developing addictive behaviour.

Treatment for addiction will depend on the nature and severity of the addictive disorder. If numerous attempts to stop the addictive behaviour have been unsuccessful, then residential rehabilitation at the Tower Counselling Ayurva Clinic can be helpful. If stopping the addictive behaviour is associated with withdrawals symptoms, our doctor may recommend medications to help reduce these withdrawal symptoms. There are also medications that help reduce cravings and can assist as a deterrent by causing unpleasing physical symptoms if the addictive substance is consumed. For mild to moderate cases, psychological and behavioural approaches are effective and plays a significant role in the recovery of most addicts.

There are measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of developing an addictive disorder. Your chances of developing an addiction are reduced if you have an occupation or vocation that you participate in on a regular basis. Abstaining from using drugs or alcohol will also reduce the risk of developing an addition to these substances. An awareness that thrill seeking endeavours such as gambling and extreme adventures could lead to addictions will help maintain control. The sooner help is sought for problem behaviours the less likely they are to progress to a full blown addiction.