Addictions

Signs & Symptoms

Addiction can present differently depending on the substance or behaviour, but common signs include:^{1, 2}

• strong urges or cravings
• difficulty cutting down or stopping despite repeated attempts
• using more than intended or for longer than intended
• needing increasing amounts to get the same effect
• withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop
• neglecting work, study, family, or responsibilities
• continuing despite relationship problems, health problems, or emotional harm
• secrecy, guilt, or shame around the behaviour

Causes

Addiction is complex. It usually develops through a combination of biological vulnerability, learning, environment, and coping patterns. Contributing factors may include:¹

• genetic or family vulnerability
• trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, or chronic stress
• using substances or behaviours to numb emotions, escape distress, or feel relief
• social environment, accessibility, and repeated exposure
• brain reward pathways becoming conditioned around relief or stimulation

Addiction is not simply a matter of willpower. That does not remove responsibility, but it does mean effective treatment needs more than “just stopping.”

Our Approach to Addiction Support

At Mind Health, addiction treatment focuses on understanding what the substance or behaviour is doing for you, what triggers it, and what support is needed to create a safer and more sustainable change process.

Assessment and Stabilisation

The first step is understanding the pattern of use, any withdrawal risk, mental health factors, and whether additional medical or drug and alcohol services are needed.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT can help identify triggers, high-risk situations, unhelpful beliefs, and relapse patterns, while building stronger coping strategies.

Motivation and Relapse Prevention

Treatment may include clarifying your reasons for change, planning for lapses, reducing shame, and developing more workable responses to cravings, stress, and emotional triggers.

Integrated Care

Where needed, we can recommend coordination with your GP, psychiatrist, withdrawal management, rehabilitation, or specialist alcohol and other drug services.

Tips on Managing Addictive Patterns

1. Take withdrawal risk seriously. Some substances require medical oversight when reducing or stopping.
2. Map the triggers. Stress, loneliness, shame, conflict, and fatigue often drive use or relapse.
3. Reduce access where possible. Making the behaviour harder to access can create useful friction in early change.
4. Plan for lapses. A lapse does not need to become a collapse. A relapse-prevention plan matters.
5. Get broader support. Addiction often improves more sustainably when treatment includes mental health, medical, and practical support together.

What to Expect

Your first appointment will usually focus on the pattern of use or behaviour, what is triggering it, how it is affecting your life, what change you want, and whether there are risks or supports that need to be addressed immediately. The goal is not judgement. It is to understand the situation accurately.

Sessions are typically 50 to 60 minutes. Depending on the severity of the addiction, psychological treatment may be one part of a broader care plan. Telehealth may be appropriate in some cases, though higher-risk situations may require additional in-person or medical support.

Further Reading