What is addiction?
An addiction is a strong desire, urge, or compulsion to use a substance or engage in a specific behavior repeatedly. There are many types of addictions and they can have negative consequences for health while also interfering with your daily life.
What is drug addiction?
Drug addiction or drug abuse, also known as substance use disorder is a type of addiction to drugs or substances, such as opioids, marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, etc. The affected person may have an urge to consume excessive amounts of said drugs or take them in methods that can be injurious to health.
What is addiction counselling?
Addiction counselling is a specialized form of therapy that helps individuals recover from various addictions, including drug addiction, alcohol addiction, other substance use disorders, or behavior-related addictions.
What are the common types of addictions?
Following are some of the most common types of addictions:
Who provides addiction counselling?
Addiction counselling is provided by substance abuse counsellors or addiction counsellors who are professionals trained in helping individuals cope with their compulsive and repetitive behaviors.
Risk factors of addiction
Some common causes of addiction include:
- Accessibility: Easy access to substances increases the risk of addiction.
- Family: Having a dysfunctional family puts one at risk of developing addiction.
- Genetics: Some people are genetically predisposed towards developing substance abuse disorders.
- Gender: Men are at a higher risk of developing addictions.
- Mental health issues: Certain mental health problems like depression, PTSD, and anxiety can increase the risk for the addiction, as people consume the substance to alleviate their pain.
- Peer pressure: Many people delve into drugs and alcohol due to peer pressure.
- Personality: Impulsive people are more likely to develop addictions.
- Trauma: A history of trauma and abuse increases the risk of addiction.
Effects of addiction
For getting addiction treatment in Dubai, it is important to understand the effects of addiction. Addiction can cause undesirable effects such as:
- Strong craving for the substance
- Using large amounts of the substance (substance abuse)
- Lying about the habit
- Missing work, school, or social events due to the addiction
- Mood problems
- A desire to reduce or quit the habit
- Addiction consuming significant amounts of time
- Partaking in the addiction despite social, financial, and relationship issues caused by it
- Continuing even when dangerous for health or risky
- Withdrawal symptoms
- Developing tolerance so consuming more of the substance to achieve the same results
Addiction treatment
Addiction treatment in Dubai is a composite of different techniques, including:
- Detoxification under proper supervision
- Medication
- Counseling
- Rehabilitation
- Peer support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
- Life skills training
Addiction counselling techniques
An addiction therapist in Dubai can rely on different techniques to help people deal with their addictions. Some common methods include:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
CBT works on identifying the thought patterns that influence behaviors related to addiction and then remedying them. CBT helps people manage their thoughts and emotions better, so they can more effectively control their addiction triggers.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
DBT helps people comprehend and accept their feelings. When dealing with addiction, dialectical behavior therapy facilitates people in understanding their triggers, improving emotional regulation, developing coping skills, and committing to sobriety.
Family counselling
Family has an important role to play in addictive behavior; some people might have the habit because of their family. The family may also suffer significantly due to the addict’s behavior. A holistic healing therefore also includes the family members, healing the hurt caused by the addiction alongside mitigating the risk factors. Family counselling is therefore effective in the management of addictions.
Group therapy
Group therapy with support groups is beneficial for providing a safe environment for addicts to talk about their issues openly. People can learn coping strategies from the direct experience of others who have been in a similar situation.
Motivational interviewing
Motivational interviewing aims to help individuals find motivation to change harmful behaviors. Addiction therapist in Dubai provides a safe zone where the person can talk without feeling judged, realize they have the potential to make the change, and then work towards reaching their goal.
Benefits of addiction counseling
Improved awareness
An addiction counselor in Dubai helps people understand the causes and triggers of their addiction. Since counseling also involves family, others are also made more aware of the condition.
Coping strategies
Through counseling, addicts learn to cope better with their problems.
Life skills
Some rehabilitation programs also teach life skills to help addicts reintegrate into society more effectively.
Improved relationships
Once addicts are on the journey of healing, their relationships also tend to improve.
Prevents relapse
Quitting cold turkey increases the risk of relapse, while addiction counselign reduces these odds.
Safer
Addiction counselors aid in making a safe treatment plan that involves holistic care. Quitting without a proper plan can lead to extreme withdrawal symptoms, some of which can be fatal as well.
Getting addiction treatment Dubai
According to data, in UAE, alcohol consumption stands at 2.03l per capita, whereas the use of opiates is at 0.02%. But despite these low numbers, addiction is a bitter reality for many. For such people struggling with substance abuse, getting prompt treatment such as addiction counselling in Dubai is imperative.
How can I get addiction counselling in Dubai?
You can get addiction counselling in Dubai through Counsel Clinic. The platform connects you to licensed addiction counsellors for online talk sessions to help you heal and put you on the road to recovery.
To book an online counselling session with an addiction therapist in Dubai through Counsel Clinic, choose your preferred therapist from the list above, pick a suitable schedule, and confirm your session.
