Addiction is a complex mental condition characterized by persistent engagement in a specific activity or substance use, despite demonstrably negative consequences. 

A crucial distinction exists between problematic substance or behavioural patterns and full-blown addiction.

This differentiation is significant because if you have not yet crossed the threshold into addiction you may be able to reduce or modify your substance use or behaviour rather than needing to abstain altogether.

For those people who are addicted, complete cessation (depending of course on the behaviour) usually represents the most effective course of action.

Addiction isn't caused by just one thing; instead, it's a complicated mix of factors. Here's a breakdown of some of the main influences:

• Genetics: Your genes can play a big part. If addiction runs in your family, there is a greater risk that you too will be prone to these issues, though it's not a definite outcome.

• Environment: Your surroundings significantly impact your risk. This includes:

  • Trauma: Especially childhood trauma, which can seriously increase the chance of developing an addiction as a way to cope with adverse experiences.

  • Stress: High, ongoing stress can push people toward substances or behaviors for temporary relief.

  • Social Factors: Being around others who use substances or engage in addictive behaviors, especially when you're young, can make it more likely to try them and potentially develop a problem. Social attitudes can also play a role.

• Psychological Factors: Aspects of your mental and emotional state:

  • Mental Health Conditions: There's a strong link between addiction and mental health issues. People might self-medicate these challenges with addictive behaviours.

  • Personality Traits: Things like impulsivity or a tendency to take risks can make you more vulnerable.

  • Coping Skills: If you haven't learned healthy ways to deal with stress, boredom, or emotional pain, you might turn to addictive behaviours as a less effective way to cope.

Common addictions fall into two main categories: substance addictions, like alcohol, prescription drugs, or illegal drugs, and behavioural addictions, such as gambling, gaming, sex, or compulsive shopping.

Although there are common experiences across these types of addiction; each one requires its own nuanced approach to treatment.

How do you know if you might be struggling with addiction? While it can look a little different for everyone and depend on what the addiction is, there are some common red flags.

Here are some key signs to look out for:

• Loss of Control: This is a big one. It means you just can't stop or limit your substance use or behaviour, even when you really want to. You might try to cut back or quit, but you just can't seem to do it.

• Preoccupation: The addiction starts taking over your thoughts. You might spend a lot of time thinking about using, planning how to get the substance, or engaging in the behaviour. It progressively becomes a central focus of your life.

• Increased Tolerance: For substance addictions, this means you need more and more of the substance to get the same effect you used to.

  Tolerance is not limited to substance use. For example, people who struggle with gambling may wager larger and larger amounts to get the same effect. The same thing can happen with shopping, riskier sex and food.

• Withdrawal Symptoms: When you stop or reduce using a substance, you can experience uncomfortable physical or psychological symptoms (like nausea, tremors, anxiety, sweating, irritability). You might continue using just to avoid these unpleasant feelings.

  Again, withdrawal is not limited to substances and individuals who experience behavioural addictions may experience a psychological withdrawal when they stop the behaviour.

• Negative Consequences: Despite clear problems showing up in your life – maybe at work or school, with family and friends, financially, or with your health – you keep engaging with your addiction.

• Neglecting Responsibilities: The focus is on sustaining or managing the addiction, and as a result, you start to neglect important duties at home, work, or school.

Addiction counselling is a safe, judgment free space where you can learn the nature of your problem and how to break the pattern by acquiring tools that work.

In working with one of our Calgary addictions therapists, you will gain skills to overcome urges.

We will help you to identify issues which may drive your impulses to use substances or engage in addictive behaviours and you will learn how to avoid slipping back or relapsing.

We work together with you to develop an individualized treatment plan so that you can a better, more satisfying life in recovery.

Yes, the approach of our Calgary addiction therapists is founded on the principals of effective treatment; principals which have been shown to help people make positive change and establish recovery.

Getting help from our qualified addiction therapists or substance abuse counsellors means you can get treatment that's right for you.

We will work alongside of you to determine what you need and direct you to other services if necessary.