Why do we form addictions?

No icy photos of the hills today because I was in my office all day at my desk!

As a therapist, I will never stop learning more about mental health and how to help people. In fact, I am obliged to pursue Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Today I completed an online CPD on addictions, and how to work with clients suffering from addiction using the solution focused model.

We were reminded that addictions can form around many things: Alcohol, drugs, food, work, shopping, sex, porn, gaming, exercise, gambling, coffee, prescription drugs, social media... the list goes on.

Addictions can be identified by asking ourselves questions such as:

• Do we find it impossible to go without the experience or substance?

• Is it occupying our mind and time?

• Is it causing physical, financial or psychological harm?

The training day was fascinating, learning from an expert in addictions and therapy. Yes there was neuroscience in there and I wrote 17 pages of notes to go with the 80 PowerPoint slides, but really it comes down to this:

If we as humans are having our emotional needs met, the brain finds no need for an addiction.

So I will keep sharing tips and examples of how we can get our needs met, even within the restrictions of lockdown.

And the good news is that though addictions are harmful, they are treatable. The solution focused approach to overcoming addiction is highly effective.

So if you can answer yes to any of the questions above, feel free to get in touch with me for a chat to find out whether you want to free yourself from your addiction and how I could help.