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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
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.
Oliver Fallon
I offer specialist therapy for eating disorders and OCD, on Zoom or face-to-face. I have extensive experience working in these areas in the NHS at South West London and St Georges NHS Mental Health Trust. For OCD I use CBT with ERP designed collaboratively with you to tackle your particular themes. For eating disorders we focus on stability using a meal plan and decoupling body image from food.
Steve Burchell
30+ years experience offering therapy, supervision, training etc. Currently focused on trauma, and somatic integration. Working on several psychedelic assisted therapy trials.
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.
Roland Oliver
BACP-Accredited and UKCP-registered Mindfulness-based Core Process Psychotherapist based in Clapham Common, London SW4. He holds an MA in Mindfulness-based Core Process Psychotherapy from the Karuna Institute in Devon, and has been in practice for over 14 years, including two years working with the NHS Counselling Service. His work draws on both psychodynamic and mindfulness-based approaches, with a particular focus on developmental trauma — including emotional neglect, childhood experiences of unsafety, and the lasting impact of difficult early relationships. He is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and the Association of Core Process Psychotherapy (ACPP), and offers therapy on a flexible, ability-to-pay basis.
Ann-Louise McCarthy
My name is Ann-Louise McCarthy and I am a Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist registered with UKCP (United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy). I am also a member of CPJA (Council for Psychoanalytic and Jungian Analysts) and a Clinical Supervisor (Guild of Psychotherapists). My Psychotherapy and Counselling Practice is based in Whitstable, Kent which is easily accessible from Canterbury, Herne Bay and Faversham. I also provide online sessions. I am committed to providing a safe, confidential and non-judgmental environment where we can explore issues and acknowledge psychological pain which may have been present throughout your life, or that may have developed over time in response to difficult life experiences and relationships. The aim of our work together is to identify, better understand and work through the issues that are impacting negatively on your life, to allow you to feel differently and to initiate positive change. It can be difficult to take the first steps towards starting therapy. You may be unsure what to expect, wonder whether you will feel safe or be uncertain about what will be expected of you in sessions. I am always happy to answer any questions you have to allow you to feel comfortable and to give you a sense of what therapy may be like and what to expect. I welcome this opportunity because I want you to feel comfortable so you will take the steps needed to experience therapy. An initial assessment appointment, which takes place at the beginning of a period of therapy, is also an opportunity for you to find out more about what therapy will be like and to ask any questions you may have.
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.
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.
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.
Vicki Power
Vicki is an integrative therapist working with individuals and couples