While some people can use prescription or recreational drugs with no negative effects, many others become addicted and face dramatic health and lifestyle problems as a result. Substance addictions negatively affect relationships, home, school or work, leaving the person feeling ashamed, helpless and isolated.

Physical symptoms of substance abuse and addiction are varied depending on the drug of choice, but the symptoms of the addiction itself are similar. People who are addicted to substances may neglect their responsibilities, take potentially dangerous risks and get into trouble with the law. As their drug use spirals out of control, they will lose interest in activities that used to be enjoyable and continue to take drugs despite knowing the harm it causes.

Substance addicts tend to build up a tolerance to their drug of choice, and get angry when they can't get more of it. Withdrawal symptoms are highly probable when an addict goes without it for too long. Depression, nausea, insomnia, sweating, restlessness, anxiety and shaking are all common withdrawal symptoms.

Psychotherapy can help you to overcome substance addiction by focusing on correcting maladaptive behaviors. Substance abuse is usually a coping mechanism against emotionally overwhelming past events or memories. Substances are often used to provide instant gratification instead of facing certain issues.

Therapists are equipped to help clients deal with addiction recovery through empowerment and helping them set simple short term targets. The first target is sobriety, followed by empowering the client with adaptive skills and finding new coping strategies that deal with the issues that caused the addiction. Substance addiction can be ended, allowing the person to live a healthy, productive life.

If you need a counsellor or psychologist to help you address the effects of substance addiction, you can search the directory below to find a professional with the approach best suited to your situation.

Depression is the most common psychological condition, and most people experience it at one point or another in their lives.

Symptoms of depression include lethargy, low self esteem, a feeling of sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, anxiety, dysphoric mood and even suicidal thoughts. People who are depressed usually feel a lack of energy and a lack of pleasure and they may be agitated or irritable.

Since there are so many causes to depression, which boils down to a natural response to life experiences (a defence mechanism), each situation warrants a thorough investigation into the exact catalyst. Depending on what causes a specific incidence of depression, a treatment plan can be developed to help the individual deal with his or her emotions.

Some people are predisposed to depression in that it can run in the family. In many cases, it is learned when someone is constantly exposed to it.

Counselling can help a person to adapt to life changes that are causing grief, particularly with bereavement or marital issues. Systemic therapy is helpful in family therapy, where the efforts of the whole family can help the individual. Psychodynamic therapy helps a person to find the hidden psychological defences that cause problems to manifest. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the problem at hand, providing solutions to day-to-day issues and finding ways to restructure negative thought patterns.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who has training and experience in depression counselling you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Employee assistance can help promote the welfare of your employees, and as a result, improve productivity and a happy working environment in your business.

Let's face it, everyone goes through difficulties, experiences distress, and troubles. Crisis doesn't wait until we are ready to deal with it, but rather occur when we're least prepared. Challenges are an inevitable part of our everyday life. Just because your employees are smiling, doesn't mean that they don't experience these difficulties and worries.

It is in the best interest of the employer to provide employee assistance services to help them deal with whatever they are going through. Personal or professional issues can harm the best of workers, affecting their psyches and causing them a range of emotional and physical problems. Poor concentration, fatigue, a lack of motivation, poor immune response, and anger are just some of the symptoms they may be experiencing.

Some of the problems that could be causing trouble in the lives of your employees could include family problems, substance abuse, performance problems, depression, anger management issues, domestic violence, stress, anxiety, divorce, parenting problems and issues with their self-esteem.

Without employee assistance, your company may be in danger. Research has shown the importance of happy, healthy workers on a company's productivity and profitability. It is important to appreciate the impact of these issues on an employees ability to be productive and cope with pressures at work as well.

Employee assistance programs can help take your company to the next level by empowering your employees with suitable coping, communication and behavioural skills. It will help them with human growth and enjoying a better life at work and at home.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers employee assistance therapies to address your business needs, you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.