Addictions - Including Substances, Compassion Fatigue Mindfulness approaches

Addictions - Including Substances, Compassion Fatigue

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.

Mindfulness approaches

Mindfulness approaches help clients to be focused in the here and now. Generally rooted in Eastern meditative techniques,  Mindfulness approaches offer a non-judgmental alternative therapy for dealing with stress and other psychological issues.

By observing worrisome thoughts and learning to accept situations for what they are, people can learn to cope with issues better and make more productive choices.

Mindfulness approaches include a range of models, including dialectical behaviour therapy,  mindfulness-based stress reduction, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. These approaches can be used in a wide range of settings to reduce the symptoms of a broad spectrum of psychological issues.  These therapies can be practiced effectively in individual or group therapy.

If you are looking for a therapist who offers Mindfulness approaches, please browse our list of practitioners below..

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Lisa Yeates

M.Ed., RCC
    • Online booking
Do you feel hooked by painful thoughts, emotions, and behaviours that pull you away from the person you want to be? Work with me to explore how to live life with meaning, to move on from the past and build skills to... Read more

Brian Williams

M.A., RCC
My name is Brian and I appreciate you taking this important step of reaching out for assistance, which I know isn't always easy. I am a compassionate and engaged therapist who works hard for his clients. I... Read more

Kristen Bailey

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
People come to therapy for a variety if reasons, but ultimately there is something you are experiencing in your life that is causing you pain and suffering that you want to address. We all experience pain that stems... Read more

Sara Place

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
It is my honour to deeply listen and support your personal journey through whatever life circumstance brings you to counselling.  We can work through difficult life circumstances, relationship challenges (including... Read more

Donna Steadman

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
As a Registered Clinical Counsellor in Langley, my job is to help you feel better.    Whether you are struggling with relationship issues, suffering from the pain and paralysis of depression, or... Read more

Lara Ellison

M.S.W., RSW
Lara Ellison, MSW, RSW Lara Ellison MSW, RSW has been professionally involved in various mental health programming since 2006.  Starting her work at Peak House, a youth residential alcohol and drug treatment... Read more

Lisa Voth

MC, RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
Three common things I hear: you have some understanding of why something happens intellectually but that doesn't stop it from happening or feeling bad. you can't figure out why you keep... Read more

Brenna King

M.A., RCC
Brenna King has a Masters degree and is a registered member of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors.  She offers her private practice in North Vancouver  (Lonsdale and 20th).  She... Read more