Understanding drug addiction
If you have a drug addiction, you may find that you cannot resist the urge to use them, no matter how much harm they cause. You may have chosen to take a drug to see how it feels, and then continue to use it because you like the way it makes you feel. Or a doctor might have given you medicine for pain. But even if your pain has gone, you may struggle to stop taking it.
Drug abuse, over time, can affect the brain and lead to unhealthy and damaging behaviours. Not everyone who takes drugs will develop an addiction. Some drugs are more addictive than others. Many factors can influence a person's chance of developing an addiction.
In this video, counsellor Deborah Leaver (MBACP, Dip Counselling) talks about drug addiction, mental health, and the role of counselling.
Who is likely to be affected by drug addiction?
Everyone's body and brain are unique, so people react to drugs in different ways. However, there are factors that can increase your likelihood of developing an addiction. These include:
- Family history: Genetics may have a part to play when it comes to addiction. If your parents or siblings have addiction problems, you are likely to be more prone to addiction.
- Drug use at a young age: Our brains are still developing, so using drugs early can greatly affect you. It may increase the risk of addiction later in life.
- Existing mental health conditions: If you have a mental health condition like depression or anxiety, you might use drugs to cope. This can become an unhealthy coping mechanism and lead to addiction.
- Relationship difficulties: If you had family issues growing up or lacked support, you may be more likely to become addicted to drugs.
- Trauma: Experiencing trauma can lead people to use drugs as a way of coping. If you've experienced trauma and are likely to struggle with addiction, you could be more at risk.
After my brother’s death, I masked the trauma with alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. My family life had changed, we were drifting apart, and it felt like we were all walking around in a daze.
- Read Steve's story.
How drugs affect the brain
Our brains are built to repeat enjoyable experiences. This motivates us to do them over and over. Drugs can be so addictive because they target the brain’s reward system. When you take them, your brain gets flooded with dopamine, the feel-good hormone. This triggers a strong feeling of pleasure.
This makes you want to take the drug again to repeat the experience. As you keep doing this, your brain adjusts to the extra dopamine. This means you need more to feel that ‘high’ again. Other activities you used to enjoy, like socialising or a hobby, might feel less fun now. You may start withdrawing from activities you used to enjoy as you become fixated on getting that same 'high'.
Long-term drug abuse can change your brain. This affects your judgement, decision-making, learning, and memory. These changes can perpetuate the cycle, even though you know it's bad for your health.
Signs of drug addiction
In many cases, acknowledging that you have a problem is the first step. It can be hard to understand whether you have an addiction, especially if you haven't been using drugs for that long. Below are some signs to look out for that could suggest you have an addiction:
- You feel a desire to use the drug every day or multiple times a day.
- You take more drugs than you want to and for a longer period of time.
- You keep using the drug even though you can see it’s affecting your work life and/or relationships.
- You find you are spending more and more time alone.
- You’re lying to those around you, stealing or doing dangerous things to get more drugs.
- You feel sick when you try to quit using the drug.
- You spend most of your time thinking about drugs. This includes getting them, using them, or recovering from them.
When to get help
If you see the signs of addiction and your drug use is causing issues, getting help early is important. Getting help for drug addiction takes time and support. So, finding a professional is an important step. Visiting your GP is a good starting point. They will be able to discuss your treatment options and may refer you to a local drug service. If you prefer not to talk to your GP, you can contact a local drug service or a private therapist directly.
Treatment for drug addiction
If you’ve been referred to or contacted your local drug service, your first appointment will focus on your drug use. You might be asked about your work, family, and housing. They may also request a urine or saliva sample. You’ll be told what your treatment options are and agree on a plan of action. Staff can give you more information on support groups for yourself and your family. You’ll also likely be given a key worker who will support you during treatment.
Drug addiction treatment varies by your situation. It usually includes talking therapy, medication, detox, and self-help.
Whilst therapy alone is unlikely to beat addiction... it can provide a reflective space where we can discover what we need to do in a supportive and non-judgemental therapeutic relationship. This way we can reconnect with both our inner selves as well as the wider world beyond.
- Counsellor Lyn Reed, MA, MBACP(reg), Pro.Adv.Dip.PC.
Talking therapies
Therapy can happen in groups or one-on-one. Therapy can teach you new ways to cope with drug cravings. It can also address any related issues or underlying causes.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is often recommended for addiction. CBT can help you to understand the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Family or couples counselling can also be helpful. Addictions can impact those closest to us. In many cases, it can help to work together with your partner or family as you work towards recovery.
Trauma-informed treatment, such as EMDR (eye movement desensitisation reprocessing), can also be helpful for some people experiencing addiction. Research suggests that EMDR can be helpful in reducing how appealing addictive behaviours are and reducing cravings, disrupting the positive feelings linked to substance use or behaviour.
Medication
If you're addicted to an opioid like heroin, doctors might give you methadone. It's a substitute drug. This can help you keep your treatment going, so you won’t worry about withdrawal effects. Your team will then help you come off methadone slowly.
Detoxification
For those wanting to stop taking opioid drugs or drinking alcohol completely, the detoxification process (detox) in treatment helps you cope with withdrawal symptoms.
Self-help
Seeking support through support groups can be very helpful during addiction treatment. Talking to others with shared experiences can help. They can share tips and personal experiences that make you feel less alone. Learn more about the difference between support groups and group therapy.
Reducing harm
Part of drug addiction is about reducing any harm caused by drug taking. This may include testing and treatment for conditions like HIV, for example.
Treatment for drug addiction works best when you have support around you. A combination of professional support and personal support can be most helpful. If you're looking for professional support, you can use our search tool to find a counsellor near you.
How therapy can help with drug addiction
Working with a therapist can help provide you with a safe, judgment-free space to talk. A therapist can help you not only work towards recovery, but can also help you:
- Address the root cause(s) of addiction. Addiction can affect anyone, at any time. Identifying and addressing the root cause can help you to find other ways of coping.
- Learn healthy coping mechanisms. Addiction can happen as a way of trying to numb how you are feeling or to ignore other experiences. A therapist can help you identify these unhelpful behaviours. They can also introduce you to new, healthier ways of coping. Over time, this can help you to build your resilience, resist cravings and temptations.
What therapy is used for drug addiction?
A number of different therapies can be used to help with drug addiction. These can include:
CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) - CBT is the most commonly recommended, as it can help you to identify unhelpful patterns of behaviour and thinking. With the help of a therapist, you can set goals, change unhelpful behaviours, and find healthier ways to cope.
DBT (dialectical behavioural therapy) - Another kind of therapy based on CBT, DBT is helpful for those who experience emotions intensely. DBT can help you manage tough emotions by experiencing, recognising, and accepting them.
Art therapy - Art therapy is a type of psychotherapy that can help improve physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Art therapy can offer a different way of expressing and understanding your emotions in a healthy way. It can also provide an outlet for stress and anxiety, and a way to work through difficult life experiences.
What should I be looking for in a counsellor or therapist?
There are no laws requiring specific training for counsellors dealing with drug addiction. However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has created clinical guidelines. These guidelines recommend psychological treatments, medication options, and effective services for individuals struggling with addiction.
Guidelines suggest that people in treatment for drug addiction should be offered psychosocial or psychological support. These may include:
- Behavioural therapy. Here, you agree with your therapist on a set of consequences and rewards for using and not using drugs. This is known as contingency management.
- Couples and/or family therapy.
- Psychological treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Depending on the nature of the drug addiction and the drug in question, detoxification may also be offered. For more information, please see the full NICE guidelines: Drug use disorders in adults.
Related topics:
Further help
- NHS - getting help with drug addiction
- Frank - honest information about drugs
- With you - drug, alcohol and mental health charity
Find a therapist to help with drug addiction
Ready to start looking for a qualified, experienced therapist who can help you with addiction? Many therapists and counsellors offer support through online, phone, or in-person sessions. Use our search below to find a counsellor near you.
