Addiction

“Addiction is an adaptation. It’s not you – it’s the cage you live in.”
Johann Hari 

Addiction is a psychological and physical inability to stop doing something.  This something could be consuming alcohol and drugs or an unhealthy obsession with certain activities. Even though addiction is most commonly associated with drugs and alcohol, there are numerous other ways a person could be addicted including gambling, use of prescription medication, porn, sex, work and others. 

Some typical signs of addiction include:

Social and Behavioural Signs

  • Isolating and avoiding family and friends
  • Opting to pursue addictive behaviour instead of work and social time
  • Feeling distressed and lonely if they can’t engage in their addictive behaviour
  • Relying on addictive behaviour to cope with emotional problems
  • Being dishonest with friends and family to hide their addictive behaviour, e.g. hiding drug use
  • Struggling financially
  • Selling or stealing things to pay for drugs
  • Taking dangerous risks, such as driving under the influence of drugs
  • Self-blaming and have low self-esteem, especially after trying unsuccessfully to quit

Adapted from reachout.com

Health Signs

  • depression
  • anxiety
  • obsessive ideas (e.g. paranoia, delusions)
  • hallucinations
  • attention problems
  • memory loss
  • weight loss
  • sexual dysfunction (e.g. impotence)

Social and Behavioural Signs

  • Isolating and avoiding family and friends
  • Opting to pursue addictive behaviour instead of work and social time
  • Feeling distressed and lonely if they can’t engage in their addictive behaviour
  • Relying on addictive behaviour to cope with emotional problems
  • Being dishonest with friends and family to hide their addictive behaviour, e.g. hiding drug use
  • Struggling financially 
  • Selling or stealing things to pay for drugs
  • Taking dangerous risks, such as driving under the influence of drugs
  • Self-blaming and have low self-esteem, especially after trying unsuccessfully to quit

Health Signs

  • depression
  • anxiety
  • having unusual ideas (e.g. paranoia, delusions)
  • hallucinations
  • attention problems
  • memory loss
  • weight loss
  • sexual dysfunction (e.g. impotence)

 

Adapted from reachout.com

 

    Behaviour becomes an addiction when it is continued without control despite harmful consequences. These consequences could be to your  health, relationships, career, family dynamics, and financial stability. It can take a stranglehold on a sense of self and overall psychological well being.  
    It can be a constant battle for you, but it can also affect spouses, children, parents and friends who witness the addiction. 

    Drug and alcohol abuse in particular can create mass tension (and sometimes violence) in otherwise peaceful and loving homes.  Other impacts could be bouts of unpredictable erratic anger, weight loss, change in appearance and moods, or development of codependent behaviours.

    Often people with addictions find it very difficult to recognise what they are experiencing. If you or someone you know has signs of addiction, it’s important to seek specialist help. 

    Together we can explore the root causes of your addiction. We will explore how the addiction is “helping” you to cope and examine the reality of how the addiction is actually impacting your life. By unpacking these two perspectives, we will establish a clear understanding about how important it is for you to change your addictive behaviour – ultimately your motivation to change.

    I will use a combination of CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) and psycho-education to support you in addressing your addictive behaviour. If appropriate, I will suggest integrating the therapeutic care with other support services to ensure the addiction is addressed from all angles.

    In my experience, addressing addictive behaviour is just the first step. Often there are deeper psychological issues that are the cause of the addiction. Addressing the addiction can provide you with the capacity to start looking at the deeper psychological issues. As appropriate, I am here to support you through those deeper psycological issues. My wish for you is to address your addiction and help regain control of your life.

    I'm here for you

    If you would like to discuss how I can support you in tackling your challenges, whatever they may be, you can call me on  0402 840 104 or email dipak@dipakjilka.com.au.

    Where am I?

    I am located in the Sydney CBD area for in-person sessions or via Skype if that’s more convenient for you.

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    City Location

    185 Elizabeth Street,
    Sydney, NSW, 2000

    Balmain Location

    2 Booth Street,
    Balmain, NSW, 2041

    Contact Details

    M: 0402 840 104
    E: dipak@dipakjilka.com.au

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