Friday, October 24, 2014

With Professional Addictions Counselling Winnipeg Patients Have New Hope

By Patty Goff


Substance dependency must count as one of the most horrible characteristics of modern society. Dependency knows no social class, country, race or gender. Millions of people think that they simply cannot cope if they do not get regular supplies of their preferred fix. It is not only illegal drugs and alcohol that can cause dependency. There is wide variety of substances that are habit forming. For expert addictions counselling Winnipeg families simply need to pick up the phone.

Many addicts do not even realize that they are dependent upon a substance. This is especially the case when people have become addicted to seemingly innocent substances such as aspirin or other medicines that are freely available without a prescription. They simply tell themselves that they need the substance to overcome a real or imagined problem such as headaches or insomnia. This can become a very dangerous type of dependency.

Many others are addicted to dangerous and even illegal substances. Drugs are available freely and alcohol is widely abused. People that become dependent on these substances often subside into dependency gradually. They tell themselves that they deserve a little bit of fun and that they can stop whenever they choose to do so. Of course, the only one that they are fooling is themselves.

People that have developed a dependency often do their loved ones great harm. Drug addicts and alcoholics will go to almost any length to obtain their fix. In the process they may steal, lie and even commit crimes. They do not think about the consequences of their actions and they often develop serous personality disorders. They cause grief and heartache for all those that love them and that depend upon them.

Many families that want to intervene when they become aware that a loved one is addicted. They struggle with the fact that therapy will only be beneficial if the person concerned admits that he has a problem and that he wants help. Forcing anyone into therapy is counter productive. The first and most important step is therefore to get the affected person to the point where he admits his problem.

Addicts need to be convinced that there is no shame in admitting the need for help. They need to know that their loved ones will support him and stand by him. Counselors will often ask loved ones to become part of the therapy and addicts often gain from attending group sessions where they learn that they are not alone in their struggle against a harmful substance.

When looking for help it is important to choose a counselor that specializes in helping people with dependency problems. Therapy often takes a long time and progress is up to the patient, not the counselor. No counselor worth his salt will make promises in this regard. It is often beneficial if the family of the addict is involved in the therapy.

Substance dependency in any form is a terrible tragedy. It not only affects the addict himself but also everybody around him. Left untreated it can destroy marriages, drive families apart and cause untold heartache and deprivation. Everything possible should be done to help addicts to recognize the fact that they need help.




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