Drug or Substance Addiction

Drug (or substance) addiction is characterized by the inability to control drug consumption despite the long-term physical, financial, and social consequences. This can include losing your job, family or personal relationships, jail time, and even death from the physical toll of addiction. Drug addictions commonly begin with using drugs at social events. Eventually, it can lead to taking the drugs habitually and in extremely unhealthy doses, as well as seeking more potent drugs in order to feel a greater high.

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Team Member Spotlight

Morganne Stubbs

Edmonton South, Online Counselling

Alcohol Dependence, Drug or Substance Use, Substance Use Risk Assessment

Symptoms & Signs of Drug or Substance Addiction

Taking the chemical every day or more than once in a day
Taking drugs to feel good and to solve your problems
Spending a lot of time acquiring and taking drugs
Stealing drugs or spending all your earnings just to have and use the drugs
No longer spending money or time on your basic needs
Important responsibilities such a job and relationships are less of a priority if they get in the way of your drug use

Different Types of Drug Addiction

Addiction to barbiturates and benzodiazepines, which are central nervous system depressants, can cause confusion, depression, lack of coordination, drowsiness, and memory impairment. Addiction to cocaine, on the other hand, causes restlessness, insomnia, weight loss, paranoia, euphoria, decreased appetite, increased heart rate and temperature, and rapid speech in an addict.

Club drugs include MDMA or Ecstasy, Rohypnol, and GHB. Signs of club drug use include impaired coordination and judgments, reduced inhibitions, increased blood pressure, and an exaggerated sense of happiness.

Hallucinogens like LSD and PCP. The most common signs of LCD are having hallucinations, tremors, high blood pressure, perception changes, and rapid heart rate. Flashbacks also occur, which are repetitions or re-experiences of hallucinations. PCP causes euphoria, panic, depression, and even violent behaviour.

Addiction to opioids such morphine, codeine, opium, or heroin causes anxiety & panic, confusion, depression, paranoia, mood issues, and a host of physical issues including sleeping difficulties, chills, headache, sweating, tremors, and weakness.

Methamphetamine addiction has several physical signs such as tooth decay and loss, weight loss, acne, among other more general symptoms of drug abuse like twitching, dizziness, and irregular heartbeat. Psychological symptoms include anxiety, depression, and violent behaviours.

Prescription drug abuse is often referred to as a “misuse” because the drugs have legal, medical uses. There are so many different types of prescription drugs regularly abused, sometimes by people who have a legitimate prescription and need, that it is difficult for people to know if the sufferer’s behaviour is problematic.

When is it time to seek help?

If you are dependent on drugs or know of anyone exhibiting these signs, then it’s important to get help from a doctor and therapist. Medical help is crucial if you have shared needles or have engaged in unprotected sex while taking drugs.

Drug & Substance Addiction Treatment Methods

Following medical intervention or monitoring, Alberta Health Services – Addictions Services (AHSAS) may also be a great resource for you as it is an agency that specifically assists people in resolving drug addiction issues. Insight’s Therapists are dedicated and able to work both alongside and independently of AHSAS and 12-Step programs and offer counselling and assessments with regards to drug addiction.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) One of the most commonly used treatment methods for addiction and problematic compulsive behaviours is cognitive behavioural therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an evidence-based approach to treatment that focuses on how people’s thoughts, emotions, and beliefs influence their behaviours and how they perceive themselves, others, and the world. CBT differs from other therapies because of its emphasis on the theory that how you perceive a problem or situation causes negative or dysfunctional emotions and/or behaviours. The goal of CBT in the context of a substance use disorder and/or problematic substance use issues is for the client to understand what drives their problematic behaviours and how these issues are related to other aspects of their lives. Once the client understands what thoughts and/or environmental factors lead to their problematic and/or compulsive behaviours, they are better equipped to succeed in the recovery process and prevent future relapse.

Behaviour Therapy Behavioural therapy may be used to treat a wide range of problematic compulsive behaviours such as drug and/or alcohol use, food or eating issues, problematic gambling and gaming, pornography and sex related compulsions, relationship dependence, shopping compulsion and smoking. Behaviour Therapy includes the thinking processes, attitudes and values which typically impact an individual. Generally speaking, Behaviour Therapy tends to view human beings and behaviour with the assumption that humans are a product of their sociocultural conditioning and environment. In the context of addiction or a substance use disorder, behavioural therapy focuses on changing self-destructive or problematic behaviours through purposely and systematically applied concepts. Behavioural therapy also looks at your current problems and the factors influencing them. This therapeutic modality emphasizes noticeable and obvious behaviour changes more than your underlying unconscious processes.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) may be used to treat drug or substance use issues and behavioural compulsions which may include shopping, gambling, video games, porn, sex and/or social media. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy focuses on being present in your life and dealing with your challenges rather than trying to eliminate the difficult or unpleasant thoughts or feelings related to them. This therapy will help you learn to open up and accept those feelings that lead to struggles with addiction, substance use issues or compulsive behaviours rather than trying to escape them or avoiding situations in which they may occur. Acceptance and commitment therapy will help the client hone in on their core values and align their thoughts and behaviours to them. The success of this therapy lies in the client feeling better, which then leads to a better understanding of their issues and the work it takes to successfully recover from their struggles with addiction.

Solution focused therapists assist you in recognizing what is already working in your life and support you in creating preferred realities for your future through future-oriented conversations and exploring how things can be different. This model of therapy emphasizes the importance of exploring your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, and creating realistic and achievable goals that will lead to lasting changes in your life.

What will I get out of addictions treatment with Insight Psychological?

If an addiction is affecting your life, you should know that you’re not alone. Our therapists utilize a variety of effective treatment methods that can support you on your journey to finding healthy ways to cope, to stop self-medicating and to reclaim your life.

Insight has many therapists that can support you on your recovery journey. You can book online or call us to set up an appointment for counselling – in-person, online (video), or telephone.