Addictions - Including Substances, Phobias, Smoking Cessation Counsellors

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.

Phobias are classified as irrational fears that impede on normal daily life. While everyone has one or two irrational fears, they are minor. However, if irrational fears become so intense that they cause extreme anxiety that interferes with normal life, it is time to get therapy to help overcome these fears.

The most important thing people should understand is that phobias can be controlled and even cured. Between self-help strategies and professional phobia therapy, anyone can overcome irrational fears and start to live a life of freedom from phobias.

Phobias can interfere with life when you are forced to face them on a regular basis. People with phobias are generally afraid of things that pose little to no real danger at all. People with phobias generally fear heights, clowns, flying, driving, insects, small spaces, wide open spaces or needles.However, phobias are not limited to this, but to anything about which the fear is highly exaggerated.

While phobias are usually developed during childhood, adults may also develop new phobias. People will go to extreme lengths to avoid exposure to whatever they are phobic about.

The good news is that phobias are easily treated using a range of therapies. Cognitive behavioural therapy can help a person recognize their phobias and find different ways to react to their exposure to the things they fear. Desensitization therapy helps a person to learn how to manage being exposed to what they fear in a safe environment. A therapist will help the person understand that their fears are unfounded and as such, manage and eventually cure the phobia.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers phobias and related issues you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Smoking cessation can be tough, but knowing that there are several options and by preparing yourself mentally for the process, you can make it easier on yourself.

Tobacco smoking is a psychological habit and a physical addiction. Nicotine is addictive because it offers a temporary high, and when you eliminate that you will experience physical symptoms, such as cravings and other withdrawal symptoms.

Many people habitually smoke to help them cope with boredom, anxiety, depression and stress. After doing it habitually for a while, it can become ritualistic - an automatic response. You will find that you smoke automatically as part of other activities. Socially, smoking is a way in which people relate to one another.

Successful smoking cessation requires a change in the routines or habits, as well as beating the addiction. More people are looking for healthier options to quit smoking than using nicotine patches and prescription medications.  Many therapists now offer smoking cessation counselling and use a wide range of techniques and approaches to address tobacco addiction.

Hypnosis is a common method that helps people to create negative associations with cigarettes while the client is in a deep state of relaxation. It is nothing like what stage hypnotists do, and is in fact a serious and effective therapy for many. Cognitive behavioural therapy is a fantastic approach that helps people establish new habits to cope with smoking cessation. The therapist will help you to understand the reason why you smoke, and explore the associated emotions and feelings. You can quit smoking with the help of an experienced smoking cessation therapist.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who offers counselling approaches to address your smoking cessation issues, you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.