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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
Fiona Duhig
I’m an experienced kind, approachable Psychotherapist & Counsellor with a passion for helping people; that may be resolving a historic issue that you’ve never spoken about, working through a life change or crisis, overcoming something that is holding you back, or simply talking to someone neutral, perhaps being truly heard for the first time. I work with compassion, kindness and importantly no judgement, regardless of the circumstances. I provide a forum to express and process emotional distress, explore approaches, treatments or options, and a plan. Importantly I aim for you to feel hopeful and supported. I’ve worked with a wide range of mental health difficulties supporting young people and adults; these have included anxiety & depression, bereavement & loss, trauma & PTSD, dual-diagnosis, cancer recovery & diagnoses, workplace stress and life changes. I specialise in and have a passion for helping those struggling with addiction and trauma.
Nicole Castellani
I have over twenty years experience working as a psychotherapist and counsellor. Many people struggle trying to make sense of themselves during difficult life transitions, or face loss or a divorce, or a break up, or a difficult work situation.Talking therapies can provide space and time to examine what is troubling you, in order to understand yourself better and achieve a more productive life. My way of working has you at the heart of it, and my aim is to help you develop the qualities that you need in order to face your life and your challenges past and present. Finding a therapist can feel daunting and overwhelming especially when dealing with the pressures of every day life.I offer a safe and confidential place where you can explore and express your thought and feelings and begin to resolve some of the challenges that you face. You can choose to deep dive or meander gently.
Rachel Jones
As an experienced family therapist and nurse. I have worked with children, teenagers, adults, couples and families for over 14 years. I specialise in working with mental health challenges, relationships, self-harm, anger, anxiety, low mood, self esteem, emotional regulation and eating and body image difficulties. I work with couples and families to understand and change relationship and communication patterns that are having a negative impact. Alongside working with individuals, families and couples, I have an interest in supporting clients who are neurodiverse, diagnosed or self-diagnosed, to live in an authentic and unmasked way that aligns with their values. I provide a compassionate and open space and embrace working in a neuro-affirming way to support you to feel empowered and heard.
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.
Evelina Rimgailaite
I can help you better understand the patterns in your thoughts, emotions, and relationships, particularly those shaped by past experiences that may no longer be serving you. Together, we can explore the underlying causes of anxiety, stress, self-doubt, or emotional difficulties while also developing practical tools to help you cope more effectively in daily life. My approach is integrative, combining psychodynamic, cognitive behavioural (CBT), and humanistic therapies, which means I tailor our work to your individual needs rather than using a one way approach. Therapy is a collaborative process, and I aim to provide a safe, supportive space where you can reflect, heal, and reconnect with your authentic self. I work with values of inner freedom, balance, and authenticity, supporting you in building resilience, gaining self-awareness, and moving toward a life that feels more meaningful and aligned with who you are.
Asselle Seitmagzimova
I offer a warm, holistic approach to therapy for sensitive, deep-feeling people who want to understand themselves more compassionately and heal at the root. Using Internal Family Systems (IFS), embodiment, and compassionate enquiry, I help clients gently explore the underlying patterns, wounds, and protective parts that may be keeping them stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected, or self-critical. I’m especially drawn to working with people who have spent much of their lives feeling misunderstood, emotionally alone, or responsible for holding everything together.
Tony Wilkinson
MBACP registered integrative transpersonal counsellor with over 22 years of clinical experience. He holds a Diploma in Integrative Transpersonal Counselling from Re-Vision and practises from Ealing (Wednesdays and Thursdays) and London Bridge (Mondays), with online availability at other times. Before retraining, Tony spent several years as a professional actor having trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. This background lends his practice a rich sensitivity to questions of identity, shame, and the nature of the self. He has particular expertise in men’s issues, shame, grief, and family trauma.
Jonathan Cullen
MBACP-accredited integrative psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience, working from Marylebone in central London and Waltham Cross. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Integrative Psychotherapy and is trained in body wisdom, breathwork, and existential approaches. He works with a broad range of presentations including trauma, couples, abuse, addictions, grief, sexuality, and identity.
Tolis Marinos
MBACP-registered Gestalt counsellor and psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience supporting people through life changes. He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Gestalt Therapy and is trained in EMDR and couples therapy. He works from Crystal Palace and central London (W1W), offering sessions to individuals and couples across a wide range of presentations.
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.