CBT Therapy for Addictions
Understanding Addiction
Addictive behaviours can develop when a substance or activity becomes a reliable way of changing how you feel.
You may find yourself turning to it when you feel stressed, bored, lonely, anxious or overwhelmed, thinking about it frequently, or continuing even when part of you recognises that it is causing problems.
The behaviour may provide relief, stimulation, comfort or escape in the short term, which can make it increasingly likely that you will return to it when similar thoughts, emotions or situations arise.
Over time, this can strengthen the connection between discomfort and the urge to use the substance or behaviour as a way of coping.
Therapy can help you understand the role the addiction has come to play in your life, identify the situations and emotional patterns that trigger it, and begin developing different ways of responding without relying on the same behaviour.
AVAILABLE FACE-TO-FACE OR ONLINE
We're Ready to Help You
We offer all prospective clients an hour long, informal and confidential chat to discuss your addiction-related concerns for just £30.
There's no pressure to undertake any therapy going forward, no judgement from us and we're very friendly and easy to talk to!
♦ Ongoing sessions:
Typically weekly or fortnightly, tailored to your needs.
♦ Location:
Comfortable private setting near Wolverhampton / Wombourne, with free parking.
Secure online therapy available with Paul across the UK.
♦ Fees:
Ongoing sessions: £90/hr
Addictions come in various forms
Most addictions are either (1) substance-related, or (2) behavioural in nature, with each one havings its own challenges and related problems.
Some of the substance-related addictions we work with include:
- Alcohol - see alcohol addiction counselling
- Drugs - see drug addiction therapy
- Food - go to food addiction treatment
Whilst the behavioural addictions include:
- Gambling - visit gambling addiction help
- Internet - see internet addiction counselling
- Pornography - read about therapy for porn addiction
- Sex - go to sex addiction therapy
Its important to understand that almost ANY behaviour which leads to a pleasurable outcome can succumb to addiction given the right circumstances and individual personality.
Addiction Symptoms & Behaviours
Addiction is often marked by a range of telltale signs and behaviours that can deeply impact one's life.
You may experience:
- Cravings that feel overwhelming
- Compulsive engagement in the addictive behaviour
- Frequent mood changes
- Irritability and agitation with others
- Denial and lying to relative and friends
- Continuing use despite negative consequences
- Physical and psychological withdrawal
Recognising these signs is the first step towards seeking help and reclaiming a balanced life.
A Non-Medicalised View of Addiction
Addiction, viewed through a non-medicalised lens, can be understood as a complex interplay of emotions, motivations, and personal experiences that often arise in response to perceived threats or power dynamics in an individual’s life.
This perspective invites us to consider how feelings of vulnerability and a search for control can drive individuals towards certain behaviours that ultimately become compulsive.
Instead of framing addiction as a failure of will or an inherent flaw, we examine it as a (maladaptive) coping mechanism - a way for individuals to navigate the pressures and demands of their environments.
In moments of stress, uncertainty, or emotional pain, the pursuit of substances or compulsive behaviours may temporarily fulfil a need for escape or relief, providing a sense of power in an otherwise overwhelming situation.
Recognising this context allows for a deeper understanding of how individuals attribute meaning to their addictive behaviours, often believing they have no choice but to engage in these patterns.
By acknowledging these underlying narratives, we foster a compassionate approach to addiction that encourages individuals to explore the roots of their compulsions, reassessing their relationship with these behaviours and ultimately cultivating healthier strategies for coping.
This reframing not only mitigates feelings of shame and powerlessness but also empowers individuals on their journey toward recovery, helping them reclaim agency in their lives.
Psychological therapy with paul
CBT Therapy Options for Addiction-Related Problems
ABOUT PAUL
Meet Paul Lee MSc
Hello, I'm Paul and I've been working with people as a psychologist, psychotherapist and coach since 2009. I have expert knowledge of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and adopt a non-medicalised philosophy when helping people overcome mental health challenges. This means that I will frame your current difficulties as being the result of what has happened to you rather than what is wrong with you.
What to Expect from Therapy
Therapy isn't something that is simply done to you. Although your therapist can provide understanding, guidance and practical psychological strategies, meaningful change usually develops through what you discover, practice and begin to do differently in your everyday life.
At Tranceform, we see therapy as a collaborative process. We'll work together to understand the patterns of thinking, feeling and behaviour that may be keeping the problem going, while helping you explore different ways of responding. Sometimes this involves questioning long-held assumptions, reducing avoidance or experimenting with behaviours that initially feel unfamiliar.
The aim isn't to make you dependent upon therapy or to promise a quick fix. It's to help you develop greater understanding, confidence and agency so that, over time, you become better equipped to manage difficulties for yourself.
Therapy provides the guidance. You provide the practice. We create the change together.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP