Is Addiction Taking Control of your Life?
Addiction comes in all shapes and sizes, and ‘rock bottom’ is a very personal place, but almost always a dark and lonely place. Whether the addiction is alcohol, prescribed medications, smart drugs, social drugs, food, sex, work, shopping, gambling or some other addictive behaviour, over time what was once pleasurable becomes unmanageable.
|
"Hello Su ... as my primary counsellor, you should know that what you did seems still to be working. Not quite sure how, but it does! Thank you" |
Uncertain that Counselling Treatment can help you?
Everyone is different and counselling treatment for addiction may not be for everyone, but I can assure you that I have helped many people whether they see me for one session or many.
Managing or abstaining from our addictive behaviours takes time. Counselling therapy treatment is not the only way, but it's a good way. If you choose this way, Counselling Treatment for addiction generally takes between 6 to 12 months to effectively make the changes needed to return you to a happy and fulfilling life.
How does Addiction Therapy work?
Essentially, people use substances and addictive behaviours to meet unmet needs. Needs like not feeling they fit in and are accepted, are loved and secure within them self and relationships. What was once relaxing and pleasurable becomes a way to avoid bad feelings, bad thoughts, bad situations and bad people.
There's no such thing as a 'magic bullet' for eliminating these unwanted challenges of life, but with some good guidance, patience and a bit of wisdom we learn to sail through life's storms.
In our therapy sessions we focus on developing the life skills needed to help change why these things feel so bad. Together we identify your personal struggles and triggers by working on creating a mature self-awareness. This process includes learning how to develop an emotional intelligence that can help tolerate and regulate the emotional triggers that are the source of these feelings.
Of course you will learn practical skills and techniques for avoiding and managing the cravings that lead to relapse. We examine and defuse the unhelpful thoughts that tell you the old addictive ways will make everything better. You will also learn alternative ways to manage challenges like; dealing with inner and outer conflict; how to please others without sacrificing your own needs; how to feel good about yourself and to connect comfortably with others; and how to have fun and relax without feeling guilty.
Do You Feel Alone with your Addiction?
Alcohol, social drugs and other addictive behaviours such as gambling are often part of social life however, over time, what once helped us fit in with friends, colleagues and family eventually alienates us. Over time our priorities change from coping with the challenges of life to coping with the trying to control the behaviours and consequences of addiction.
People who were once forgiving and even entertained by our behaviours become angry and judgmental, they even turn their back on us when we most need them. We find we have less people in our life who understands our struggles, and we begin to isolate.
Most people don’t realise alcohol is a depressant, and social and/or prescribed medication used to excess creates anxiety and panic attacks. All addiction eventually has a negative affect on our life. Help is needed but where to turn?
Concerned About Alcohol, Party Drugs or Prescription Medication Use?
These substances can be a pleasurable way to manage the ups and downs of busy life, but sometimes we rely on them too much. It's just too easy to have 'another' rather than face a difficult situation or say it's time to go home. We overindulge when we wish there were other options.
There's a fine line between being a heavy drinker and becoming an alcoholic, between using drugs socially or medicinally and being a drug addict.
It's a line you don't want to cross!
Addiction Counselling Therapy can help you manage alcohol, drug and/or medication use and prevent addiction taking hold of your life.
|
"Dear Su ... Thank you, thank you so very much for the last twenty one months! It has been an incredible journey and I truly appreciate all that you have helped me with! I really am so happy to be me today and for the rest of my life. I so could not have been in such a great place without your guidance and wisdom."
“I want to thank you for your compassion and wisdom, your pragmatic approach to rebuilding my life, and your open minded attitude towards making that life worth living. Our sessions have allowed me to be present and intimate with my partner for the first time. In my business, I have regained the trust of my employees. I am closer to my family than ever before. I enjoy my life now, and two years ago could not imagine a life without my drug of choice that was anything but grey and sad. Thank you”.
"Dear Su ... I'm not sure if you get much feedback from your 'drunks' and 'druggies', and I have no idea if you welcome gratitude ... I am quite startled at what I've become since I first rolled up, bright-eyed and bewildered, all that time ago. I'm not perfect (yet), but it is nonetheless extraordinary to think sometimes how different things are. The stuff I found incredibly valuable was the life-skills work we did. It's fair to say that this work changed my life, and of course you were the catalyst here and you deserve and have many thanks."
"Hi Su ... I am well, still not even a drop after 10 months ... Being sober is pretty good and surprisingly easy!"
"I am extremely grateful for having the opportunity to work with you Su. You have been kind, patient and resourceful in helping me overcome my personal challenges. I would strongly recommend other people struggling with addictive behaviours to seek your guidance."
"Thank you Su, not only have you transformed my relationship with alcohol - you've most importantly transformed my relationship with myself and those around me. I am very grateful to you for giving me valuable tools to deal with addiction and life."
"Su I have worked with you on and off for many years. Your clear and indisputable insights have helped me grow tremendously over the years. You are extremely kind, honest, and sincere, and I know I wouldn't be where I am today without your loving support and excellent therapeutic skills." |
Do you Suffer from Anxiety and/or Depression?
Once you might have used your addictive behaviour to manage depression or anxiety, but over time you have come to realise it has made it worse ... much worse. Most people don't realise alcohol is a depressant, and social and prescribed medication used to excess creates anxiety and panic attacks.
Need help with out of control ICE use?
People from all walks of life can find them self addicted to crystal meth (ice). It is a deceptively addictive substance because it can tick all the boxes to help cope with high pressured living. This is why people who regularly use ice can quickly become dependent on the drug. Long-term use of ice is linked with loss of employment, financial hardship, depression, anxiety and loss of friends that leads to social isolation.
The good news is that addiction counselling therapy works to help make the changes needed to live a fuller and more satisfying life, without ice.
"After over 10 years of ice use and after several years of attempting to quit on my own, I sought out Su's help. With Su's help, I've been mostly clean for 2018 and have gone from struggling to make 1 month clean to going for 5 months. I'm extremely thankful for Su's ability to be compassionate and easy to talk to while also being forceful when necessary to bring my focus onto the issues that are feeding my addition. I know Su will continue to be an asset for me as I continue to work towards recovery."
|
|
Taking the initiative to seek counselling will show the court that you are taking the situation seriously, and are prepared to do something to resolve any affecting personal issues relative to your case.
Counselling therapy for driving offences can also be helpful in obtaining a section 10 as it will show to the court that you have taken steps to resolve your issues to ensure that you don’t reoffend.
Counselling and obtaining a character reference from your specialist therapist will increase your chances of receiving a lenient penalty. By taking positive action to resolve your issues, the court is more likely to award you a lenient penalty.
Check out the Legal Aid NSW website for more info about factors that will assist the magistrate to look favourably on your case.
|
One fee of $550 includes:
• 3 individual 1 hr counselling sessions
• Receipt detailing your paid sessions
• Character reference written to your specific case with consideration of your legal counsel
|
