Addictions and Complusions

Addictions and compulsions exist on a spectrum of severity, ranging from mild to acute. Generally speaking, they serve as a coping strategy enabling individuals to endure distress whether in the form of anxiety, depression, or a dilemma that is too difficult to process or resolve.

The comfort, distraction, or escape that addictions and compulsions offer can be very seductive, but ultimately an individual may come to realize that the issue needs to be addressed, or the problem needs to be resolved.

Addictions and compulsions take many forms: illegal drugs and alcohol, food, sex, shopping, gambling, pornography, excessive online chatting are some examples.

The focus is first to assist individuals to identify the nature of their condition, including precipitating factors as well as consequences. Secondly, to devise strategies for substituting the addiction or compulsion with a healthier coping style that enables the individual to endure his/her problem(s) more successfully, less frequently seeking a distraction or escape. Life style conditions, interpersonal stressors, or any other factor hindering this task will be considered.