Find a therapist that can help with Addictions
Addiction is widely considered a medical illness. For instance, The National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA] and the American Psychiatric Association [APA] both define addiction as a “brain disease,” and the DSM-V lists criteria for classifying addiction as a mental health condition called “Substance Use Disorder."
Drugs work by stimulating the reward circuitry in our brains. It releases dopamine — a chemical that causes feelings of pleasure — into the brain, causing extreme feelings of euphoria that highly motivate us to want to do the drug again. But if we continue to take the drug, our brains would adapt to these unnaturally large surges of dopamine by desensitizing itself to it.
This leads to not only tolerance, but also the need to take increasingly larger doses to feel an effect and a loss of pleasure from normal activities that were reinforced by much smaller amounts of dopamine like eating, sleeping, and being social. Some people even become physically dependant on the drug, facing withdrawal symptoms like nausea, fatigue and insomnia without it. At this point, continuing to use the drug is no longer a matter of a choice; both your body and your brain have become addicted to it, needing it to function and feel pleasure.
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Find a therapist, psychologist, counsellor or coach based on your preferences..jpg&w=3840&q=75)
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 8 HOURS
Taylar
Taylar
Licensed CounsellorAcademic or educational problems • Addictions • Anxiety • Couples therapy • Family therapy • Holistic approach • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 8 HOURS
Academic or educational problems • Addictions • Anxiety • Couples therapy • Family therapy • Holistic approach • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 24 HOURS
Sana Hoda
Sana Hoda
Accredited CounsellorAddictions • Anxiety • Depression • Men's Work • Narcissism • Trauma • Trauma Informed Care
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 24 HOURS
Addictions • Anxiety • Depression • Men's Work • Narcissism • Trauma • Trauma Informed Care
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 12 HOURS
Vanessa Murri
Vanessa Murri
Accreditated Clinical Psychologist (MSc.)Addictions • Anxiety • Borderline personality disorder • Depression • Eating disorders • Stress • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 12 HOURS
Addictions • Anxiety • Borderline personality disorder • Depression • Eating disorders • Stress • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 8 HOURS
Mikhail Reymarov
Mikhail Reymarov
Psychological CounsellorAddictions • Anxiety • Depression • Mindfulness • Online therapy • Relationships • Self-confidence
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 8 HOURS
Addictions • Anxiety • Depression • Mindfulness • Online therapy • Relationships • Self-confidence
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 2 HOURS
Esen Aksoy
Esen Aksoy
Clinical Psychologist & PsychotherapistAddictions • Anxiety • Depression • Existential analysis • Psychodynamic therapy • Relationships • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 2 HOURS
Addictions • Anxiety • Depression • Existential analysis • Psychodynamic therapy • Relationships • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 8 HOURS
Ilya Kulagin
Ilya Kulagin
Psychiatrist & PsychotherapistAddictions • Anxiety • Bipolar Disorder • CBT: Cognitive behavioral therapy • Depression • Personality disorders • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 8 HOURS
Addictions • Anxiety • Bipolar Disorder • CBT: Cognitive behavioral therapy • Depression • Personality disorders • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 8 HOURS
Yosef Starkin
Yosef Starkin
Relational psychotherapistAddictions • Anger • Attachment • Couples therapy • Depression • Integrative therapy • Relationships
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 8 HOURS
Addictions • Anger • Attachment • Couples therapy • Depression • Integrative therapy • Relationships
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 4 HOURS
Elise Borgese
Elise Borgese
Clinical TherapistAddictions • Anxiety • Burnout • Chronic Illness • Grief & Loss • Health anxiety • LGBTQI
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 4 HOURS
Addictions • Anxiety • Burnout • Chronic Illness • Grief & Loss • Health anxiety • LGBTQI
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 2 HOURS
Ekaterina Reymarova
Ekaterina Reymarova
Psychologin & BeraterinAddictions • Anxiety • Attachment • Co-Dependency • Self-harm • Stress • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 2 HOURS
Addictions • Anxiety • Attachment • Co-Dependency • Self-harm • Stress • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS AFTER 24 HOURS
Stefania
Stefania
Counseling and Clinical Psychologist, Yoga TherapistAddictions • Anxiety • Attachment • Depression • Mediation • PTSD • Trauma Informed Care
USUALLY RESPONDS AFTER 24 HOURS
Addictions • Anxiety • Attachment • Depression • Mediation • PTSD • Trauma Informed Care
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 2 HOURS
Yulia Polyakina
Yulia Polyakina
Accredited Bodywork Practitioner / Somatic CoachAddictions • Anxiety • Body therapy • Burnout • Chronic Pain • Depression • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 2 HOURS
Addictions • Anxiety • Body therapy • Burnout • Chronic Pain • Depression • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS AFTER 24 HOURS
Kirsty Matthews
Kirsty Matthews
Licenced Global Psychologist/CounselorAddictions • ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder • Anxiety • Attachment • Children • Couples therapy • Therapists for Ukraine • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS AFTER 24 HOURS
Addictions • ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder • Anxiety • Attachment • Children • Couples therapy • Therapists for Ukraine • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 24 HOURS
Cas Hebbink
Cas Hebbink
Psychologist & CounsellorAddictions • Anxiety • Body therapy • Depression • Relationships • Stress • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 24 HOURS
Addictions • Anxiety • Body therapy • Depression • Relationships • Stress • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 12 HOURS
Sadie Smith
Sadie Smith
CounsellorAddictions • Harm reduction • Kink and BDSM Knowledgeable • LGBTQI • Music Therapy • Polyamory and Consensual non-monogamy • Trauma Informed Care
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 12 HOURS
Addictions • Harm reduction • Kink and BDSM Knowledgeable • LGBTQI • Music Therapy • Polyamory and Consensual non-monogamy • Trauma Informed Care
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 2 HOURS
Angela M Watson
Angela M Watson
CBT PsychotherapistAddictions • Adolescent • Alcoholism • Anger • Couples therapy • Divorce • Psychological First Aid
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 2 HOURS
Addictions • Adolescent • Alcoholism • Anger • Couples therapy • Divorce • Psychological First Aid
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 4 HOURS
Fadi Hage
Fadi Hage
Accredited PsychotherapistAddictions • Anxiety • CBT: Cognitive behavioral therapy • Depression • Mindfulness • Nonviolent Communication • Therapy for Expats
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 4 HOURS
Addictions • Anxiety • CBT: Cognitive behavioral therapy • Depression • Mindfulness • Nonviolent Communication • Therapy for Expats
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USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 4 HOURS
Carolina Pomilio
Carolina Pomilio
Narrative Therapist in Training | Mindfulness Counsellor | CoachAddictions • ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder • Anxiety • Grief & Loss • PTSD • Relationships • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 4 HOURS
Addictions • ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder • Anxiety • Grief & Loss • PTSD • Relationships • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 8 HOURS
Mirte Knieriem
Mirte Knieriem
PsychologistACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy • Addictions • Anxiety • Burnout • CBT: Cognitive behavioral therapy • Depression • Mindfulness
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 8 HOURS
ACT: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy • Addictions • Anxiety • Burnout • CBT: Cognitive behavioral therapy • Depression • Mindfulness
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 24 HOURS
Ines Mahr
Ines Mahr
Sex therapist, accredited psychotherapist (in training), clinical psychologist, health psychologistAddictions • Adjustment disorders • Anxiety • Depression • Sex therapy • Sexual dysfunctions • Sexuality
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 24 HOURS
Addictions • Adjustment disorders • Anxiety • Depression • Sex therapy • Sexual dysfunctions • Sexuality
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 24 HOURS
Danai Petropoulou
Danai Petropoulou
Psychologist MSc, Systemic PsychotherapistAddictions • Anxiety • Couples therapy • Eating disorders • Family therapy • Relationships • Systemic therapy
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 24 HOURS
Addictions • Anxiety • Couples therapy • Eating disorders • Family therapy • Relationships • Systemic therapy
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 4 HOURS
Giannis Liatsikos
Giannis Liatsikos
PsychologistAddictions • Adolescent • Family therapy • LGBTQI
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 4 HOURS
Addictions • Adolescent • Family therapy • LGBTQI
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 4 HOURS
Jeremy Gordon
Jeremy Gordon
CounsellorAddictions • Anxiety • Burnout • Counselling • Grief & Loss • Psychotherapy • Stress
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 4 HOURS
Addictions • Anxiety • Burnout • Counselling • Grief & Loss • Psychotherapy • Stress
USUALLY RESPONDS AFTER 24 HOURS
Rebekka Leitlein
Rebekka Leitlein
Trauma Psychotherapist (HPG)Addictions • Anger • Anxiety • LGBTQI • PTSD • Sexual abuse • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS AFTER 24 HOURS
Addictions • Anger • Anxiety • LGBTQI • PTSD • Sexual abuse • Trauma
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 24 HOURS
Anton Freund
Anton Freund
Counselling PsychologistAddictions • Anxiety • Attachment • Co-Dependency • Depression • Mindfulness
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 24 HOURS
Addictions • Anxiety • Attachment • Co-Dependency • Depression • Mindfulness
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 12 HOURS
Sean Carden
Sean Carden
Humanistic CounsellorAddictions • Anger • Anxiety • Depression • Relationships • Self-confidence • Stress
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 12 HOURS
Addictions • Anger • Anxiety • Depression • Relationships • Self-confidence • Stress
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 2 HOURS
Alex Semenchenko
Alex Semenchenko
Counselling PsychologistAddictions • Anxiety • Attachment • CBT: Cognitive behavioral therapy • Depression • Personal development
USUALLY RESPONDS WITHIN 2 HOURS
Addictions • Anxiety • Attachment • CBT: Cognitive behavioral therapy • Depression • Personal development
About It's Complicated
In 2019, two therapists set out to tackle a complicated problem.
Learn more about therapists specialising in Addictions
Therapy for Addictions
Many people worldwide are affected by Addictions, so by no means should you feel alone or that the diagnosis is unmanageable: many have sought treatment successfully through finding a qualified and compassionate psychotherapist. Although it requires some daily effort to manage Addictions, seeking professional help is a key step in understanding what you need to gain more stability in everyday life and how to integrate healthy coping mechanisms into your daily routine. To learn how to go about selecting the perfect therapist, read our guide here.
How to choose a therapist specialising in Addictions
It’s not unusual to feel slightly overwhelmed when choosing a type of therapy. These feelings are completely normal and can be part of the initial stages of seeking therapy. It's important to remember that finding the right fit for you is crucial, and it may take some exploration and open communication with potential therapists to discover the approach and therapist that aligns best with your needs and preferences. Trusting your instincts and being patient with yourself throughout this process can help alleviate some of the overwhelm and lead to a smoother therapeutic journey. If you need additional help in finding a qualified practitioner, It’s Complicated offers a free matching service, where our in-house therapists will try to find the best match for you based on your individual needs and preferences.
It’s Complicated: Counselling worldwide
Search for practitioners who specialise in Addictions and many other approaches in the search tool here in our directory of licensed professionals. For many of us, there's never a more important time than now to nurture our mental health. If you are interested in therapy to assist you in improving your life quality, our platform features over 1,500 mental health professionals from 80+ countries. Counselling is also available in almost 100 languages, both online and in-person, making the search for an accredited psychologist who is knowledgeable about Addictions much less complicated.
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