Addiction Counselling in Australia: How Therapy Can Help

For people struggling with addiction, the hardest step is to identify and acknowledge that they may need external support like counselling.

But take it from us: Recognising you need help and seeking addiction counselling in Australia is the single most important favour you can do for yourself.  

If you’re addicted to a drug, you may be wondering how to get started with counselling. It’s okay to feel confused and torn.  

Once you’ve committed to recovery, here are the next steps:

• Understanding the benefits of counselling
• Exploring the types of support available  
• Finding the right therapist  

In this article, we’ll cover the above three points and also address some frequently asked questions about addiction recovery.  

Addiction Counselling in Australia: How It Helps

Addiction counselling in Australia addresses aspects beyond just the substance itself. Meaning, rather than focusing on ‘how to’ stop consuming drugs, therapists may look into the thought and behaviour patterns that may be compelling someone to rely on substances.  

Reliance on substances happens due to several factors, some of which are:

• Unemployment
• Work-related stress or anxiety
• Unhealthy relationships
• Childhood trauma or negative experiences
• Peer pressure
• Other issues, such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder

To recover, you may opt for individual therapy or family therapy sessions, depending on which type works best for you.  

Therapy sessions may focus on understanding the nature of addiction and help you become drug-free. However, another important aspect of addiction counselling is to make sure you are equipped with the skills to prevent any relapse.  

Types of Substance Abuse Therapies

Several types of recovery support in Australia can help an individual overcome addiction.  

However, what's effective can vary from person to person. Research available support, reflect on what might suit you, and discuss options with your counsellor for a personalised plan.  

Furthermore, addiction counselling also helps you:

• Explore your motives and therapy goals
• Understand triggers
• Identify warning signs
• Change the negative behavioural patterns
• Improve your coping mechanisms

The two types of addiction counselling we’ll look at are:

1. Cognitive and dialectical behaviour therapy
2. Motivational interviewing 

1) Cognitive And Dialectical Behavioural Therapy

On the one hand, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) focuses on the cognition (ie thought processes) and the behavioural patterns of an individual.  

For example, during therapy sessions, you may explore what kind of thoughts are triggering you to rely on a substance. It could be something like, ‘I feel sad today’ or simply ‘I’m so bored.’  

You may habituate the pattern of thinking ‘I feel bored’ and opening the fridge (ie behaviour) to fetch the bottle of wine, perhaps. However, CBT Therapists may challenge this pattern and equip you with tools to break the unhealthy habit.  

On the other hand, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) focuses on emotional regulation, and mindfulness is especially helpful for people struggling with intense emotions or self-destructive behaviours.  

‘Dialectical’ in DBT is a term used to describe the belief that opposite thoughts and ideas can both be true to create a sense of balance. For example, you may learn to validate the thought, ‘I feel bored,’ and also learn healthy coping skills to regulate the emotions that may arise from thinking that specific thought.

2) Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a type of counselling in Australia that helps individuals discover their inner motivation to achieve their goals.  

In the case of addiction or substance abuse, you may learn how to overcome the addictive patterns (ie, which could be your goal).  

The fact that you’re seeking support means that you are motivated to recover. Hence, counsellors in Australia may use this motivation to prompt you into thinking about the varied reasons you may benefit from relying on substances.  

Additionally, the professional may also encourage you with therapeutic tools to help you commit to change. MI is used in conjunction with CBT or DBT to provide a comprehensive approach.  

One of the major benefits of MI is that it helps address co-occurring mental health issues. For example, people suffering from addiction may usually struggle with depression or anxiety.  

Exercise: Pros and cons chart

Create two columns in a notebook and separate them with a line in between. Write down your thoughts and reflections on the two questions given below:

• Column 1: What does this substance give me? (eg Escape, relaxation, social connections)

• Column 2: What does it cost me? (eg Health, relationships, career, finances)

Seeing your responses side by side can help you increase motivation to commit to change and recovery.

2 Major Benefits of Addiction Counselling in Australia

Addiction counselling in Australia creates a safe space to help you explore and understand the root causes of your addiction.  

Through a structured and open dialogue exchange with an expert, you may:

• Gain insight into your thought patterns
• Understand your emotions
• Explore your past experiences that may have contributed to addiction or substance abuse

Other than the above, the two major benefits of addiction counselling are coping skills development and relapse prevention.  

1) Coping Skills Development

Addiction counselling in Australia equips individuals with coping skills so they can rely on healthy habits to break the cycle of dependence.  

The sessions are focused on learning skills to:

• Handle stress
• Regulate emotions
• Identify triggers
• Handle cravings or impulses  

Some common examples of coping skills include:

• Mindfulness and breathing techniques
• Grounding skills like naming five objects of a specific colour, counting your thoughts to make you more aware of them, listing three things you can hear, and so on
• Communication skills to handle and navigate interpersonal conflicts without relying on substances
• Other skills, like journaling, mood tracking, or therapy homework, can help you build a support system  

Coping Skills Exercise: Grounding and Thought Counting

When you feel the urge to rely on alcohol, grounding techniques or mindfulness can help you resist your usual habits.  

Moreover, pairing the exercise with a thought-counting method can help you handle anxious thoughts while also changing your behaviour.  

Step 1: Sit or stand in a comfortable position. Close your eyes or focus on a neutral point.  

Step 2: Inhale slowly for a count of 4. Hold for 2 counts. Exhale for 6 counts. Repeat 3 times. This is a breathing exercise that helps calm your nervous system and refocus your attention inward.

Step 3: Use the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique. For example, name 5 things you can see around you, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.  

Step 4: Identify the intrusive thought or craving (eg ‘I need a drink to relax’). Mentally label the thought as a ‘craving’, rather than assuming it’s part of your identity. Count the thought silently from 1 to 10. Each count represents observing the thought without acting on it. If you continue to think about the substance, repeat the exercise three or four times. The goal is to eventually acknowledge the thought without acting on it.  

Step 5: After completing the exercise, choose one replacement. For example, go for a 5–10 minute walk, call or text a supportive friend, drink a glass of water or herbal tea, or do a quick journaling exercise.

Remember that it may take some time and effort for these exercises to work. The more you engage in them, the sooner you may change your unhealthy coping patterns.  

2) Relapse Prevention

Relapse is a common concern that many struggle with, even after recovery. Hence, a major focus during addiction counselling in Australia is to equip you to prevent a relapse in the future.  

Counsellors may work closely with you to develop coping mechanisms and to create a personalised therapeutic plan, along with a timeline to achieve your goals.  

Through regular therapy sessions, you will learn how to overcome addiction and how to prevent a relapse.

Below are some tools that a professional may use to help you with relapse prevention:

• Trigger mapping: Counsellors help you identify your personal triggers, like interacting with specific people or places that may compel you to consume a substance. You’ll often make a trigger diary, tracking when and where you experience cravings, what you were doing, and how you felt. Mapping your triggers can help you identify and predict the patterns that may contribute to addiction.  
• Urge-surfing technique: Instead of resisting cravings and triggers with brute mental force, you may learn how to avoid them in an effective way. For example, therapists guide you through mindfulness meditation to observe your triggers (such as where you feel the craving in your body and how intense it feels) without acting on them immediately. Although the exercise may take some time getting used to, therapists may use guided imagery and dialogues to help you through the session.  
• Role-plays: Therapists use role-play to help you practise saying no, leaving situations, or changing the subject when offered substances. For example, you might rehearse how to handle a friend urging you to drink at a party.  

Key Takeaways

• Addiction counselling in Australia helps understand the root causes of addiction, rather than just looking at the surfacelevel behaviour.

• Therapies like CBT, DBT, and MI can equip you with effective skills to regulate your emotions, change your behaviour, and engage in positive habits.

• Two major benefits of addiction counselling are developing coping skills and preventing relapse. ‘If you can quit for a day, you can quit for a lifetime.’ - Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Is therapy good for addiction?

Yes, addiction counselling in Australia is an effective intervention that can help you:

• Overcome addiction
• Overcome reliance on substance abuse
• Understand and change your unhealthy coping mechanisms

2) What are three ways to overcome addiction?

The three most effective ways to overcome addiction include:

• Talking to a professional counsellor in Australia
• Learning to replace substances with healthy habits, such as exercise or similar high-energy activities  
• Building a supportive system around you that can hold you accountable and encourage your recovery

3) What helps drug addicts recover?

Recovery is possible through counselling, social support, and lifestyle changes.  

We recommend scheduling therapy sessions once a week, arranging a social event every other week, and focusing on skillbuilding activities. Through consistent effort and focus, addiction recovery is entirely possible. You are not alone.