Therapists in Kingston, ON
I have a particular research interest in Highly Sensitive Persons (HSP), emotion regulation, and the connection between trauma, maladaptive behavior, and addiction.
Presently, I am a student Masters level in Counselling Psychology practicing under clinical supervision. My approach to therapy consists primarily of building a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients. I value the unique dignity of every human person. I see the therapeutic relationship as a way of affective “being” with a person as opposed to effective “doing”. One of my goals is to reveal my client's intrinsic goodness. Therefore, I aim to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment in my therapy sessions. For a theoretical method, I use an integrative psychotherapy approach based on research-based theories.
I have a particular research interest in Highly Sensitive Persons (HSP), emotion regulation, and the connection between trauma, maladaptive behavior, and addiction.
Presently, I am a student Masters level in Counselling Psychology practicing under clinical supervision. My approach to therapy consists primarily of building a strong therapeutic relationship with my clients. I value the unique dignity of every human person. I see the therapeutic relationship as a way of affective “being” with a person as opposed to effective “doing”. One of my goals is to reveal my client's intrinsic goodness. Therefore, I aim to provide a safe, non-judgmental environment in my therapy sessions. For a theoretical method, I use an integrative psychotherapy approach based on research-based theories.
Joe Aslaner
Registered Psychotherapist, MDiv, RP, CSAT(C)
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Kingston, ON K7L
As a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist Candidate (CSAT-C), my specialization is treating those impacted by sex addiction.
I work with individuals and couples on a variety of issues related to mental health, addictions, sex addiction, marriage and couple conflict as well as trauma. I specialize in helping couples cultivate healthier relationships, as well as assisting individuals to overcome their addictive behaviour and mindset. My experience includes: in-patient and out-patient care in a treatment center setting, as well as agency and private practice work.
As a Certified Sex Addiction Therapist Candidate (CSAT-C), my specialization is treating those impacted by sex addiction.
I work with individuals and couples on a variety of issues related to mental health, addictions, sex addiction, marriage and couple conflict as well as trauma. I specialize in helping couples cultivate healthier relationships, as well as assisting individuals to overcome their addictive behaviour and mindset. My experience includes: in-patient and out-patient care in a treatment center setting, as well as agency and private practice work.
Dave Neary Registered Psychotherapist
Registered Psychotherapist, RP, MEd
Verified Verified
Kingston, ON K7M
Although I work with a wide range of client issues, a few of my counseling specialties are Men's Issues, Substance Use, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Relationships (individuals only), OCD, Bi-polar Disorder, Veterans, 1st Responders and L.
Accepting New Clients - As Available: I am a caring and empathic psychotherapist who works from a strengths-based approach and help people to resolve troubling issues in their lives. My services are tailored to your needs. My goal is for you to live a more peaceful and balanced life and to learn coping strategies to carry with you after counselling is completed. As in all counselling, we will work together to find solutions to the issues you bring to the counselling session. Visit my website at nearycounsellingkingston.ca
Although I work with a wide range of client issues, a few of my counseling specialties are Men's Issues, Substance Use, Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Relationships (individuals only), OCD, Bi-polar Disorder, Veterans, 1st Responders and L.
Accepting New Clients - As Available: I am a caring and empathic psychotherapist who works from a strengths-based approach and help people to resolve troubling issues in their lives. My services are tailored to your needs. My goal is for you to live a more peaceful and balanced life and to learn coping strategies to carry with you after counselling is completed. As in all counselling, we will work together to find solutions to the issues you bring to the counselling session. Visit my website at nearycounsellingkingston.ca
I have worked extensively with people living with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, developmental trauma and other psychological disorders.
Living in a fast-paced society can often make us feel burned-out, chronically anxious, depressed and alienated from those we love the most. Too often, we are "working for the weekend", and when it comes we have precious little time to spend doing the things that bring us meaning and strengthen our most important relationships. I approach mental health issues as arising primarily from our needs being inadequately met by the community and world around us. So there's a disconnect between how we evolved and where we are now. I also do ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with the Canadian Centre For Psychedelic Healing.
I have worked extensively with people living with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, developmental trauma and other psychological disorders.
Living in a fast-paced society can often make us feel burned-out, chronically anxious, depressed and alienated from those we love the most. Too often, we are "working for the weekend", and when it comes we have precious little time to spend doing the things that bring us meaning and strengthen our most important relationships. I approach mental health issues as arising primarily from our needs being inadequately met by the community and world around us. So there's a disconnect between how we evolved and where we are now. I also do ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with the Canadian Centre For Psychedelic Healing.
My clients are looking to lead a balanced life with the perspective and tools to face challenges with resilience and optimism. Addictions, anxiety, depression, or negative thinking might be getting in the way of relationship or life goals. My clients are hoping to find practical problem solving in their sessions with me but also build bigger picture thinking and perhaps even get into the big philosophical questions that are a part of making life feel worth living. They value a genuine, human experience with an open-minded, culturally sensitive supporter, that allows them to tap into their own resources for long term well-being.
My clients are looking to lead a balanced life with the perspective and tools to face challenges with resilience and optimism. Addictions, anxiety, depression, or negative thinking might be getting in the way of relationship or life goals. My clients are hoping to find practical problem solving in their sessions with me but also build bigger picture thinking and perhaps even get into the big philosophical questions that are a part of making life feel worth living. They value a genuine, human experience with an open-minded, culturally sensitive supporter, that allows them to tap into their own resources for long term well-being.
Berg Counselling
Registered Social Worker, BSW, MSW, RSW
Verified Verified
Kingston, ON K0H (Online Only)
Are you struggling with feelings of shame and fear? Worried about not being enough? These feelings often leave us stuck, not knowing how to proceed with life, complicating relationships, and filling us with anxiety. My work helps you to live a better life.
Are you struggling with feelings of shame and fear? Worried about not being enough? These feelings often leave us stuck, not knowing how to proceed with life, complicating relationships, and filling us with anxiety. My work helps you to live a better life.
Psychotherapy literally means "Healing the Soul." Our personalities and the world around us are multifaceted and often mysterious. Exploring the mystery of who we are can bring clarity and meaning to our lives, our relationship with the world, and open new perspectives and possibilities in how we live. I have worked and studied in many areas including social work, philosophy, music, martial arts and shamanic practices. I use a wide range of modalities depending on the needs, uniqueness and preferences of each person. My therapy training includes Existential-Integrative psychotherapy which emphasizes the search for authenticity, meaning and wholeness in our lives.
Psychotherapy literally means "Healing the Soul." Our personalities and the world around us are multifaceted and often mysterious. Exploring the mystery of who we are can bring clarity and meaning to our lives, our relationship with the world, and open new perspectives and possibilities in how we live. I have worked and studied in many areas including social work, philosophy, music, martial arts and shamanic practices. I use a wide range of modalities depending on the needs, uniqueness and preferences of each person. My therapy training includes Existential-Integrative psychotherapy which emphasizes the search for authenticity, meaning and wholeness in our lives.
Accepting NEW clients. I believe we all need a safe non-judgmental space to explore, learn, and grow as humans. You may be struggling with life changes, symptoms related to anxiety, relationship issues, difficulty managing emotions, loss of a loved one or pet, addictions, or simply feeling unmotivated. I am passionate about supporting individuals find a new direction, learn coping strategies, identify their strengths, and become resilient to navigate their world. Reach out today for a free 15-minute consult.
Accepting NEW clients. I believe we all need a safe non-judgmental space to explore, learn, and grow as humans. You may be struggling with life changes, symptoms related to anxiety, relationship issues, difficulty managing emotions, loss of a loved one or pet, addictions, or simply feeling unmotivated. I am passionate about supporting individuals find a new direction, learn coping strategies, identify their strengths, and become resilient to navigate their world. Reach out today for a free 15-minute consult.
I am passionate in helping Individuals transform their relationships, overcome grief and trauma, and achieve overall life improvement. My desire as a therapist is to help individuals deepen their self-understanding, developing more control in their lives, and explore their beliefs. Assist couples along their way to experiencing connection and deeper intimacy. My approach is a combination of neurobiology, philosophy, mindfulness, narrative therapy, ACT, art therapy and various other psychological theories to offer an integrative approach to meeting client needs, all practiced from an experiential emotion-focused perspective.
I am passionate in helping Individuals transform their relationships, overcome grief and trauma, and achieve overall life improvement. My desire as a therapist is to help individuals deepen their self-understanding, developing more control in their lives, and explore their beliefs. Assist couples along their way to experiencing connection and deeper intimacy. My approach is a combination of neurobiology, philosophy, mindfulness, narrative therapy, ACT, art therapy and various other psychological theories to offer an integrative approach to meeting client needs, all practiced from an experiential emotion-focused perspective.
Zack Revell - Spear Wellness Centre
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MACP, BA
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Kingston, ON K7K (Online Only)
I am currently accepting new clients operating under Spear Wellness Centre! I provide client-centered and judgment-free counselling to help you meet your unique treatment goals. Working alongside you to identify personal strengths and potential limitations to help better understand the factors or experiences that have led to therapy. I am passionate about helping others reach their life goals and aim to create a safe environment. I provide individual and couple therapy for those aged 16+
I am currently accepting new clients operating under Spear Wellness Centre! I provide client-centered and judgment-free counselling to help you meet your unique treatment goals. Working alongside you to identify personal strengths and potential limitations to help better understand the factors or experiences that have led to therapy. I am passionate about helping others reach their life goals and aim to create a safe environment. I provide individual and couple therapy for those aged 16+
Sometimes people get stuck. Individuals and couples come to me for counselling to talk about a variety of problems - things like conflict in relationships, anxiety, depression, overwhelming stress, abuse, grief, vocational crisis, or anger. A counselling relationship helps people to move from understanding issues to co-creating solutions - solutions that shrink and manage problems. I use an integrative approach, drawing on different counselling methods depending on what works best for the client, including practices from cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, and solution-based therapy. I can help you to move through difficult times with courage, accountability, and positive resolve.
Sometimes people get stuck. Individuals and couples come to me for counselling to talk about a variety of problems - things like conflict in relationships, anxiety, depression, overwhelming stress, abuse, grief, vocational crisis, or anger. A counselling relationship helps people to move from understanding issues to co-creating solutions - solutions that shrink and manage problems. I use an integrative approach, drawing on different counselling methods depending on what works best for the client, including practices from cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), narrative therapy, and solution-based therapy. I can help you to move through difficult times with courage, accountability, and positive resolve.
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My main area of focus is helping eliminate abuse in interpersonal relationships, from as seemingly "light" as bickering to more escalated confrontations. I've worked with perpetrators (males and females) of domestic violence for nine years, helping people to re-establish healthier relationships with partners and family members again. Much of this is developing communication and empathy skills, all in the context of understanding yourself better and, often, your life experiences you've had that have brought you to this point.
My main area of focus is helping eliminate abuse in interpersonal relationships, from as seemingly "light" as bickering to more escalated confrontations. I've worked with perpetrators (males and females) of domestic violence for nine years, helping people to re-establish healthier relationships with partners and family members again. Much of this is developing communication and empathy skills, all in the context of understanding yourself better and, often, your life experiences you've had that have brought you to this point.
Edward provides counselling and psychotherapy to adults, couples, families, adolescents, and children. He has a doctorate degree in clinical psychology, a master’s degree in counselling psychology, and he is a registered psychologist in the provinces of Ontario and New Brunswick.
Edward provides counselling and psychotherapy to adults, couples, families, adolescents, and children. He has a doctorate degree in clinical psychology, a master’s degree in counselling psychology, and he is a registered psychologist in the provinces of Ontario and New Brunswick.
Evolve Neurofeedback & Psychotherapy Clinic
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, RP
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Kingston, ON K7P
Sometimes life gets overwhelming, and it becomes difficult to see the forest for the trees. Whether it’s work, relationships or historical issues that are causing you stress, psychotherapy can help make things clearer and help you adjust your perspectives to make sense out of your experiences. Other times there is no "sense" to make, but through therapy we can learn coping strategies to get through difficult times. Our approach to therapy is client-centered, with the focus on guiding clients to identify and reach their goals.
Sometimes life gets overwhelming, and it becomes difficult to see the forest for the trees. Whether it’s work, relationships or historical issues that are causing you stress, psychotherapy can help make things clearer and help you adjust your perspectives to make sense out of your experiences. Other times there is no "sense" to make, but through therapy we can learn coping strategies to get through difficult times. Our approach to therapy is client-centered, with the focus on guiding clients to identify and reach their goals.
McKay Psychotherapy
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), RN, BScN, MACP
Verified Verified
Kingston, ON K0H
I believe that the road to finding happiness and freedom begins with a simple principle, understanding that some things are within our control and some things are not. Whether you are controlled by anxiety, dreading the “what ifs” of the future. Or you are stuck in the past and find it difficult to move on, I believe I can help. I am dedicated to building a therapeutic alliance with my clients and working on an individual basis to help each, and every person realize their strengths to find their own solutions. I work with clients 18 and over to support them in recovering from anxiety, depression, addictions and relationship issues.
I believe that the road to finding happiness and freedom begins with a simple principle, understanding that some things are within our control and some things are not. Whether you are controlled by anxiety, dreading the “what ifs” of the future. Or you are stuck in the past and find it difficult to move on, I believe I can help. I am dedicated to building a therapeutic alliance with my clients and working on an individual basis to help each, and every person realize their strengths to find their own solutions. I work with clients 18 and over to support them in recovering from anxiety, depression, addictions and relationship issues.
I work with clients who suffer from various emotional difficulties such as depression, anxiety and trauma. I focus on educating the client what she or he is going through and together we design strategies that help cope with the emotional difficulties. An important emphasis is placed on sleep hygiene because healthy sleep often helps restore emotional well-being. We also offer physical rehabilitation at our clinic for clients who have chronic pain and other physical problems co-existing with emotional difficulties.
I work with clients who suffer from various emotional difficulties such as depression, anxiety and trauma. I focus on educating the client what she or he is going through and together we design strategies that help cope with the emotional difficulties. An important emphasis is placed on sleep hygiene because healthy sleep often helps restore emotional well-being. We also offer physical rehabilitation at our clinic for clients who have chronic pain and other physical problems co-existing with emotional difficulties.
Elardo Therapy and Counselling Services
Registered Social Worker, BA, MSW, RSW
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Kingston, ON K7K
My practice specializes in working with youth, couples, and families. I support clientele who need support with anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and self-esteem. Many of my clients are experiencing mental health struggles related to their life transitions such as divorce/separation, death of a loved one, and work-related challenges. I can provide you, and your partner, single sessions, brief therapy, and long-term psychotherapy. I offer my services through my office, at your home through Zoom (video therapy), or any location convenient for you. I will ensure that you feel comfortable with the process of starting therapy.
My practice specializes in working with youth, couples, and families. I support clientele who need support with anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, and self-esteem. Many of my clients are experiencing mental health struggles related to their life transitions such as divorce/separation, death of a loved one, and work-related challenges. I can provide you, and your partner, single sessions, brief therapy, and long-term psychotherapy. I offer my services through my office, at your home through Zoom (video therapy), or any location convenient for you. I will ensure that you feel comfortable with the process of starting therapy.
Do you or your child need help to cope with anxiety, phobias, social isolation, or loneliness? Are you finding it difficult to navigate the complexities of your blended family? Have you struggled with depression, anger, or impulse control? In therapy, you can build coping skills that provide significant relief and support sustained lifelong healing. Reach out to me today. Support for children, teens, adults, and families. Anxiety, loneliness, impulse control, anger, phobias, and family conflict are all difficult to handle by yourself. We will work towards building the tools that you need to thrive. I look forward to helping!
Do you or your child need help to cope with anxiety, phobias, social isolation, or loneliness? Are you finding it difficult to navigate the complexities of your blended family? Have you struggled with depression, anger, or impulse control? In therapy, you can build coping skills that provide significant relief and support sustained lifelong healing. Reach out to me today. Support for children, teens, adults, and families. Anxiety, loneliness, impulse control, anger, phobias, and family conflict are all difficult to handle by yourself. We will work towards building the tools that you need to thrive. I look forward to helping!
Is anxiety undermining your ability to enjoy yourself and feel safe in your relationships, at work, even in your own thoughts? Are you tired of feeling alert and tense all the time, not being able to stop that voice that keeps warning you of dangers and criticising your every step? Do you fear failure, rejection and abandonment? Are constant fights and lack of trust making your relationship or marriage a source of pain and frustration? Are you struggling with the emotional stress of facing infertility?
Is anxiety undermining your ability to enjoy yourself and feel safe in your relationships, at work, even in your own thoughts? Are you tired of feeling alert and tense all the time, not being able to stop that voice that keeps warning you of dangers and criticising your every step? Do you fear failure, rejection and abandonment? Are constant fights and lack of trust making your relationship or marriage a source of pain and frustration? Are you struggling with the emotional stress of facing infertility?
Doug Blad
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MEd
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Kingston, ON K7L (Online Only)
Accepting new clients – Hi I know that finding the right therapist can be an intimidating process, I would like to do my best to make this as comfortable and easy as possible. I’m going to lay out some information about how I work and how that may impact you, if you have any questions or you want to meet, please feel free to reach out! To start, my top priority in working with you is ensuring you feel safe discussing whatever is going on in your life. From there we can work at overcoming obstacles, clarifying goals, or anything else we agree on and see as productive and beneficial for you.
Accepting new clients – Hi I know that finding the right therapist can be an intimidating process, I would like to do my best to make this as comfortable and easy as possible. I’m going to lay out some information about how I work and how that may impact you, if you have any questions or you want to meet, please feel free to reach out! To start, my top priority in working with you is ensuring you feel safe discussing whatever is going on in your life. From there we can work at overcoming obstacles, clarifying goals, or anything else we agree on and see as productive and beneficial for you.
Seth Chisholm
Registered Social Worker, Psychotherapist, BA, BSW, MSW, RSW
Verified Verified
Kingston, ON K7L (Online Only)
Oh hi. You know, I can imagine that he steps leading you here today involved some tough times. I know how difficult it is finding help, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed, emotional, scared. Maybe things are going pretty well and you’re looking to grow. Either way, I think we all deserve every chance to improve ourselves, find ourselves in the one life we've been given here. That’s what I’m trying to do too. The only way I know how. Through listening, awareness, connection, and growth. I do this with folks who might need someone to help them navigate anxiety, depression, relationship dynamics, and trauma.
Oh hi. You know, I can imagine that he steps leading you here today involved some tough times. I know how difficult it is finding help, especially when you’re feeling overwhelmed, emotional, scared. Maybe things are going pretty well and you’re looking to grow. Either way, I think we all deserve every chance to improve ourselves, find ourselves in the one life we've been given here. That’s what I’m trying to do too. The only way I know how. Through listening, awareness, connection, and growth. I do this with folks who might need someone to help them navigate anxiety, depression, relationship dynamics, and trauma.
My career as a therapist started as a career in theatre and film due to my love of narrative and storytelling. Over time, I became more interested in how the stories we believe about ourselves shape how we live our lives. I use scientifically supported treatments like CBT to explore these stories and see how helpful or not they are. Of course, we often already know that something isn't working, but it can be hard to believe anything different. To that end, our sessions usually include seeking out new experiences to develop new perspectives. My clients tell me they're surprised by how much more they can do than they first thought.
My career as a therapist started as a career in theatre and film due to my love of narrative and storytelling. Over time, I became more interested in how the stories we believe about ourselves shape how we live our lives. I use scientifically supported treatments like CBT to explore these stories and see how helpful or not they are. Of course, we often already know that something isn't working, but it can be hard to believe anything different. To that end, our sessions usually include seeking out new experiences to develop new perspectives. My clients tell me they're surprised by how much more they can do than they first thought.
Online Therapists
Charles Tapp Psychotherapy
Registered Psychotherapist, MA, RP
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Belleville, ON K8N
I have extensive experience working with a wide range of mental health conditions and addictions like anger, anxiety, codependency, depression, gambling, stress, substance abuse, trauma, with a specialty in addictions.
Welcome. The first step to moving forward is reaching out and finding a therapist that is a best fit. At this time, you may feel stuck, or you maybe working through a tough time and need support and clarity. Every person’s journey is unique, and I would like to help. My passion is to see lives changed. We can start our time together by reflecting on and discovering your needs and desired outcomes. I will work with you to identify strategies that will enable you to manage emotions, thoughts, negative and disruptive thinking, addictions and habits, so that you are better equipped and positioned to live life more fully.
I have extensive experience working with a wide range of mental health conditions and addictions like anger, anxiety, codependency, depression, gambling, stress, substance abuse, trauma, with a specialty in addictions.
Welcome. The first step to moving forward is reaching out and finding a therapist that is a best fit. At this time, you may feel stuck, or you maybe working through a tough time and need support and clarity. Every person’s journey is unique, and I would like to help. My passion is to see lives changed. We can start our time together by reflecting on and discovering your needs and desired outcomes. I will work with you to identify strategies that will enable you to manage emotions, thoughts, negative and disruptive thinking, addictions and habits, so that you are better equipped and positioned to live life more fully.
Dayong Quan
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MACP, MS
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Kanata, ON K2K
I have successful experience in treating trauma, addiction and family issues.
Maybe you would like to work with your trauma with more healing, or work with your feelings with more depth, rather than simply scratching the surface? Maybe you are getting tired of talk therapy and would like to try something different? Maybe you have learned a lot about mindfulness but have never experienced the power of mindfulness? The notion that our body is key to our healing is deeply rooted in eastern philosophy, has been rediscovered and reiterated by Western psychologists. Drawing from these, my work with you will probably feature body-centered, mindfulness-based, experiential, somatic and spiritually informed.
I have successful experience in treating trauma, addiction and family issues.
Maybe you would like to work with your trauma with more healing, or work with your feelings with more depth, rather than simply scratching the surface? Maybe you are getting tired of talk therapy and would like to try something different? Maybe you have learned a lot about mindfulness but have never experienced the power of mindfulness? The notion that our body is key to our healing is deeply rooted in eastern philosophy, has been rediscovered and reiterated by Western psychologists. Drawing from these, my work with you will probably feature body-centered, mindfulness-based, experiential, somatic and spiritually informed.
John Robertson Counselling Services
Registered Psychotherapist, RP
Verified Verified
Ottawa, ON K1S
Waitlist for new clients
As an experienced therapist, I offer individual, couple’s and family counselling. Whether it’s addiction based issues, such as substance use, gambling and sex, or emotional issues from our journey as young children, many of these issues can be concurrent with many mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, etc. Any one or a combination of these can keep us from finding our true, authentic selves. Through therapy, we have the chance to be heard, believed and empowered. These are key to our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual recovery as individuals and together.
As an experienced therapist, I offer individual, couple’s and family counselling. Whether it’s addiction based issues, such as substance use, gambling and sex, or emotional issues from our journey as young children, many of these issues can be concurrent with many mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, etc. Any one or a combination of these can keep us from finding our true, authentic selves. Through therapy, we have the chance to be heard, believed and empowered. These are key to our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual recovery as individuals and together.
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What is the best therapy for addiction?
Addiction treatment will be tailored to the individual. People seeking help for addiction—whether with a psychotherapist, in an outpatient clinic, or in a residential program—should expect to engage in multiple types of treatments, sometimes including medication. For anyone recovering from addiction, avoiding situations in which one has typically used a substance is essential, as is the support of close connections. Since substance use disorders tend to co-occur with underlying mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, those must also be addressed as part of any recovery plan.
How long does therapy for addiction take?
There is no set timeline for recovery from addiction. Patients and their families should expect the work to last several months, if not longer. Residential treatment programs may be based on a stay of 30, 60, or 90 days, with continuing work after release, but only about 1 percent of people are treated in such facilities. Ceasing use is just the first step; therapy to help maintain abstinence and effect behavior change must follow. The process of recovery, neuroscience has shown, involves brain cells recovering the capacity to respond to natural sources of reward and restore control over the impulse to use. Another definition of recovery is restoring voluntary control over one’s substance use and retaking all of one’s previous responsibilities.
How effective is drug addiction treatment?
Substance use disorders are treatable and remission is achievable for many who seek recovery; by some estimates, more than three-quarters of people who become addicted to alcohol or drugs recover. But that success rarely occurs quickly or on a set timeline; relapse is not only common, but many therapists and clinicians view it as a normal part of the process—not always a sign that a person has returned to addiction, but a signal that their treatment should be adjusted to help them regain control. Overall, research suggests, five years after the end of substance use, one’s risk of relapse is no greater than that of others who had not faced addiction. Other experts believe that complete abstinence is not the only measure of recovery, and that, through effective treatment, many people can learn to control their use.
How can you get addiction treatment for someone?
The most important factor in recovery from addiction is widely understood to be an individual’s commitment to change. For that reason,“interventions” in which friends and family gather to urge or force someone to begin immediate treatment often backfire; even when such efforts do lead someone to begin treatment, they may be less likely to stay than those who are self-driven. Still, family members can play an important role in supporting an individual who seeks help and can take part in family therapy as one element of a loved one’s treatment.