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Addiction and substance abuse
Written by Luisa Kos
Table of contents
Why therapy is essential for addiction recovery
Addiction is not just about substance use—it often stems from deeper emotional pain, trauma, stress, or mental health challenges. Many people turn to substances or addictive behaviours as a way to cope, only to find themselves caught in a cycle that feels impossible to break. Therapy offers a structured and supportive way to understand and address addiction at its core.
Key benefits of therapy for addiction:
- Identifying the root causes – Understanding the emotional, psychological, and environmental factors that contribute to substance use.
- Developing healthier coping strategies – Replacing addictive behaviours with sustainable, positive coping mechanisms.
- Managing triggers and cravings – Learning how to recognise and handle situations that increase the risk of relapse.
- Rebuilding relationships and restoring trust – Addressing the impact of addiction on family, friendships, and work.
- Addressing co-occurring mental health issues – Many people with addiction also experience anxiety, depression, PTSD, or other mental health conditions that need attention.
- Creating a sustainable plan for long-term recovery – Recovery is an ongoing process, and therapy helps build a personalised strategy for maintaining progress.
Addiction recovery is not about willpower alone—it’s about having the right support system, tools, and guidance to make lasting changes.
Understanding different types of addiction
Addiction is not limited to substances like alcohol or drugs. Many individuals struggle with compulsive behaviours that can negatively impact their lives. Therapy can help with:
- Alcohol addiction – Understanding dependency, withdrawal, and strategies for moderation or sobriety.
- Drug addiction – Addressing both prescription and recreational drug misuse and its underlying causes.
- Gambling addiction – Overcoming compulsive gambling and financial consequences.
- Sex and love addiction – Managing unhealthy relationship patterns, compulsive behaviours, and self-worth issues.
- Internet and social media addiction – Reducing excessive screen time and dependency on digital platforms.
- Food addiction and emotional eating – Developing a healthier relationship with food and body image.
Regardless of the type of addiction, therapy provides a structured path towards regaining control and improving overall well-being.
Therapists who understand addiction
Seeking therapy for addiction can feel daunting, but finding a professional who truly understands your experience can make all the difference. Our directory features therapists with expertise in addiction treatment, using a variety of evidence-based approaches, including:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – Identifying negative thought patterns and developing healthier behaviours.
- Motivational Interviewing (MI) – Strengthening your motivation and commitment to change.
- Trauma-informed therapy – Addressing past experiences that may contribute to substance use.
- Mindfulness & stress reduction – Learning techniques to manage cravings, stress, and emotional distress.
- 12-step facilitation – Exploring structured recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous if they align with your needs.
- Harm reduction therapy – Supporting individuals who are not ready for complete abstinence but want to reduce harmful behaviours.
Our therapists take a compassionate, non-shaming approach, focusing on empowerment and progress rather than blame or guilt.
A Supportive and non-judgmental space
Many people struggling with addiction fear being judged, misunderstood, or labelled. The therapists in our directory provide a confidential and understanding space where you can talk openly about your challenges.
Whether you’re in the early stages of recognising a problem, actively working towards recovery, or maintaining sobriety, therapy can be a powerful tool for lasting change.
Does therapy work for addiction?
Therapy has been shown to be highly effective in treating addiction, especially when combined with other forms of support such as medical care, peer support groups, and lifestyle changes. Many people find that therapy helps them:
- Gain deeper self-awareness about their addiction
- Replace harmful habits with healthier alternatives
- Improve emotional regulation and stress management
- Build confidence in their ability to maintain recovery
No matter how long you have been struggling, it is never too late to seek help.
My identify shifted when I got into recovery. That’s who I am now, and it actually gives me greater pleasure to have that identity than to be a musician or anything else. It gives me a spiritual anchor.
Find a specialist
Recovery looks different for everyone, and finding the right therapist can be a crucial step in your journey. Our directory allows you to search for addiction specialists based on location, therapy style, and specific areas of expertise. Whether you’re looking for in-person sessions or online support, you can find a therapist who aligns with your needs.
Start your search today and take the first step towards a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Therapists who can help with addiction and substance abuse
Marie Seary
I am a UKCP-registered Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and Clinical Hypnotherapist with over 30 years’ experience of working with people across a range of settings. My training is integrative and includes Transpersonal Counselling, Hypnotherapy, NLP, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), Matrix Re-imprinting, meditation and energy-based approaches. This allows me to draw from different ways of working depending on what feels most helpful for each person. Alongside my formal training, my work has been shaped by a long-standing interest in the connection between emotional wellbeing, the body, and deeper inner processes. I continue to develop my practice through ongoing learning, personal therapy, and reflective practice.
Vicki Power
Vicki is an integrative therapist working with individuals and couples
Chris Bancroft
I work with individuals, couples, polycules and families of all genders, sexualities, backgrounds and neurotypes. I am a gay man and have particular expertise working with LGBT+ clients and apply a Gender Sexuality and Relationship Diverse (GSRD) approach to my work. Whether you are seeking change, wanting to understand yourself or your past more clearly, or simply need a space to be heard, I offer a confidential and supportive environment to explore your concerns, relationships and inner world.
Lesley Aitcheson
Experienced psychodynamic psychotherapist who offers a confidential, non-judgemental space where clients can explore whatever is troubling them. She works with a wide range of difficulties, including relationship issues, anxiety, depression and trauma, supporting both practical coping and deeper self-understanding. Her approach focuses on how unconscious patterns influence present experiences, helping clients make sense of thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to access alone. Therapy begins with an assessment session, followed by an agreed course of work that remains responsive to each person’s needs, with the aim of supporting meaningful, lasting change.
Valerija But
I have extensive work experience in health/community settings and over 15 years in private practice. Approaches I draw from in my work include, Psychoanalytic, Existential Psychotherapy and Transactional Analysis.
Patricia Almohalla Alvarez
I am a registered Counselling Psychologist and an EMDR Europe Accredited Practitioner, with a mainly humanistic approach informed by Gestalt therapy, CBT, ACT, CFT, and mindfulness. I have several years’ experience working with trauma, including PTSD and complex trauma, and offer sessions in both English and Spanish, online and face to face. My work is warm, compassionate, and tailored to each client’s needs.
Clark Crewe
I am a UKCP-registered psychotherapist based in Chelsea, Central London, working with adults navigating anxiety, stress, shame, and relationship difficulties. I work with people from all backgrounds, with a particular understanding of those in creative, professional, and high-responsibility roles. Many of the people I see appear to be coping on the outside, while finding things more difficult internally. Alongside my psychotherapy practice, I continue to hold senior roles within Film and Television, including at a BAFTA award-winning production company. This gives me a current, lived understanding of high-pressure environments, the weight of responsibility, and the complexity of human relationships under pressure. My clinical training includes an MSc (Distinction) in Humanistic Psychotherapy, with experience across NHS crisis services, higher education, and specialist counselling settings. These roles have developed my ability to work with a range of presentations while maintaining a grounded, thoughtful, and ethically contained space.
ALI DONAT
I am a UKCP accredited integrative psychotherapist with an MA and an advanced diploma in psychotherapy and counselling. I am also a BACP registered member. I work with adults and offer a safe and confidential space to explore their inner worlds based on their therapeutic needs in a collaborative and creative manner.
Mary-Claire Wilson
Mary-Claire is UKCP-accredited and MBACP-registered integrative psychotherapist, supervisor, and group facilitator based in Leytonstone, East London in person, or online. She holds an MA/ Advanced Diploma in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling, and is a UKCP-accredited supervisor. Her practice is explicitly affirming of LGBTQIA+, racially and ethnically diverse, and neurodivergent clients. She also lectures and trains on LGBTQIA+ issues and Race and Power.
Daisy Marsh
I am a dedicated therapist with experience in both online and face-to-face counselling. My focus lies in offering personalised support and helping individuals and couples navigate through challenges such as anxiety and depression.