Addiction and Substance Use
Addiction is a pattern of substance use (or, in some cases, a behaviour like gambling) that a person struggles to control despite negative consequences for their health, relationships or life. It’s a recognised health condition, not a matter of willpower or moral failing, and effective treatment is available.
This page focuses on recognising when substance use has become a concern and how psychological support can help, rather than giving specific guidance about substance use itself.
What does a substance use concern look like?
Signs of problematic use
- Using a substance more often, or in greater amounts, than intended
- Difficulty cutting down or stopping, despite wanting to
- Substance use taking up significant time, or interfering with work, relationships or responsibilities
- Continuing use despite it causing problems in your life
Physical & coping patterns
- Needing more of a substance to get the same effect over time
- Withdrawal symptoms when not using
- Using a substance to cope with difficult emotions, stress or other mental health symptoms
Addiction exists on a spectrum, from problematic use that hasn’t yet caused major consequences through to more severe dependence. Support can be valuable at any point on it, not just once things feel unmanageable.
What contributes to addiction?
There’s rarely a single cause. It tends to develop from a mix of factors.
Biological factors
Genetics and individual differences in how substances affect the brain’s reward system.
Mental health
Addiction frequently co-occurs with anxiety, depression, trauma or other conditions, often as an attempt to cope with difficult emotions.
Social & environmental factors
Availability, social norms around use, and social or family environment.
Life experiences
Stress, trauma or significant life disruption can increase vulnerability.
Learned patterns
Repeated use as a coping strategy can become deeply reinforced over time, independent of a person’s other circumstances.
Understanding the underlying contributors is often an important part of effective treatment.
How is addiction treated?
Psychological therapy
CBT and motivational interviewing are both well-established approaches for addressing substance use and building sustainable change.
Addressing underlying mental health
Since addiction frequently co-occurs with other conditions, treatment often addresses both together rather than treating substance use in isolation.
Medical support
For some substances and levels of use, safe withdrawal requires medical supervision. A GP or specialist drug and alcohol service can advise.
Relapse prevention
Building strategies and supports for maintaining change over the longer term.
Peer & community support
Many people find structured support groups or peer communities a valuable complement to individual therapy.
Treatment tends to work best when it’s tailored to the individual, since people’s relationship with substance use and their reasons for it vary a lot.
When should I seek support?
You don’t need to have hit a crisis point to reach out. It’s worth seeking support if:
- You’re using a substance more than you intend to, or finding it hard to cut down
- Substance use is affecting your relationships, work, health or finances
- You’re using a substance to cope with difficult emotions and want a different approach
- You’re worried about a family member or friend and aren’t sure how to help
- You’re concerned about safely reducing or stopping use. A GP or the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline can advise on this safely.
For confidential alcohol and other drug support and advice, in addition to the crisis contacts at the top of this page:
- National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline 1800 250 015 — Free, confidential advice and support, available 24/7.
A GP can set you up with a Mental Health Care Plan under Medicare’s Better Access scheme, which covers a rebate for a set number of psychology sessions each year.
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Get matched with a psychologistFrequently asked questions
Is addiction a choice or a lack of willpower?
No. Addiction is a recognised health condition involving real changes in the brain’s reward and stress systems, alongside psychological and social factors. It’s not a matter of moral failing or simply choosing to stop.
Do I need to have a rock bottom moment before seeking help?
No. Support is valuable at any stage, and earlier intervention is generally easier and more effective than waiting until things feel unmanageable.
Can I stop using a substance safely on my own?
This depends a lot on the substance and level of use. For some substances, sudden withdrawal can be medically risky. Speak with a GP or a specialist drug and alcohol service before making significant changes, particularly with alcohol or certain other substances.
Is addiction treatment confidential?
Yes. Psychological support for addiction is confidential in the same way as any other therapy, within the standard limits that apply to all psychological care (such as risk of serious harm).
What if I’m not sure whether my substance use is actually a problem?
That uncertainty is a reasonable place to start from. A psychologist, GP or the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline can help you think it through without needing you to have already decided there’s a problem.
Do I need a GP referral to see a psychologist about substance use?
No. A GP referral is only needed for a Medicare rebate through a Mental Health Care Plan, though involving a GP is often valuable for any medical aspects of reducing substance use.
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