We’ve all been through moments of feeling like we need “something” to feel better. For some people, the something becomes the problem. What started as a way to get through hard moments takes up more of your life than you want it to. Coming back is possible.
You may relate if:
- you’re using substances or behaviours to cope with stress, emotions, or difficult experiences
- you’re experiencing urge-based responses to triggers or withdrawal symptoms
- you continue to engage in addictive behaviour despite negative consequences
- you’re noticing increasing impact on your relationships, work, or daily functioning
- people in your life are voicing concerns
- you’ve tried to cut back or stop, and it hasn’t held
Understanding Addiction
Addiction is a complex disorder that takes over the three key elements to a person’s well being: mind, body & spirit. In most cases, addiction is used as an unhealthy coping mechanism for trauma, intense stress, emotional distress, depression, anxiety, or other pain that needs somewhere to go.
For the individual struggling with addiction there is often an intense need to escape and avoid difficult experiences and painful emotions, and feelings of hopelessness and powerlessness over the addictive process.
There are two categories of addiction that can take over a person’s life:
Process Addiction — gambling, sex, shopping, etc.
Substance Addiction — alcohol, cocaine, opiates, etc.
It is also very difficult for people supporting an individual with an addiction. It is hard to know how to help, where to begin, or when helping is hurting (enabling), navigating difficult decisions and understanding the addiction.
Rivers Edge counsellors can help you or your loved one understand and work through addiction. Addiction counselling sessions are available in person and online, one-on-one.
How Counselling Can Help
Addiction counselling can help:
- Identify and manage triggers
- Stabilize and understand the process of addiction
- Learn to manage emotions and replace unhealthy responses with healthy ones
- Support with multi-level and community-based intervention
- Rediscover your identity and sense of self
- Work through the stages of change
- Regain a sense of personal power and control
- Learn more about your addiction
Addiction counselling can also help loved ones:
- Understand how to support someone with an addiction (caregiver support)
- Understand the recovery process
- Develop healthy boundaries
Change takes time, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Our Therapeutic Approaches
We draw on a range of evidence-based approaches, grounded in a flexible, collaborative, and client-centred way of working that adapts to what is most helpful for you.
This allows us to shape our work around your needs, experiences, and goals, including your readiness for change, drawing from different therapeutic modalities as needed. Learn more about our approach to care.
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational interviewing supports you in exploring your own motivation for change and working through ambivalence. It meets you where you are, without pushing for a specific outcome.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps identify patterns of thought and behaviour that contribute to addiction, and supports the development of healthier responses.
DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy)
DBT offers concrete skills for regulating emotions, tolerating distress, and staying present in difficult moments. It’s often useful when addiction has been filling a gap in emotion regulation.
Compassion-Focused Therapy
Compassion-focused therapy helps you develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself, particularly around the shame and self-criticism that often accompany addiction.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy explores the deeper patterns and earlier experiences that may still be driving addiction today. It’s useful when the pattern has long roots.
Change is hard when patterns have been in place for a long time. You don’t have to do this alone. Book an appointment when you’re ready.
Meet Some Our Counsellors Who Work With Addictions
Jean-Luc Roy
Nicholas Renaud
With 7 years of experience working with addictions and concurrent mental health disorders, I help individuals and their families overcome challenging issues related to internet, gaming, and substance addiction. Using evidence-based and harm-reduction approaches, treatment aims to build skills and strategies to help clients regain control in their lives, reduce the problematic effects of these issues, and build a positive future.
Robin Klasson
Shedean Jones
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Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction Counselling
No. Many people come in while still unsure about whether or how to change. That’s a valid place to begin.
No. We work with substance addictions and process addictions (gambling, sex, shopping, and other behaviours).
The length of counselling varies depending on your goals, needs, and the patterns you are working with.
Yes. Counselling often explores emotional, relational, and situational factors that contribute to addiction.
You’re welcome to come in on your own. Counselling can help you understand how to support someone with an addiction, understand the recovery process, and develop healthy boundaries.