Find an Addictions Therapist

Understanding addictions and how they affect daily life

Addictions are patterns of behavior or substance use that can create persistent problems in work, relationships, health, and mood. While many people associate the term with alcohol or drug use, addictions can also involve behaviors such as gambling, gaming, shopping, or other activities that become difficult to control. You may notice that an activity or substance moves from something you do by choice to something you feel compelled to do, even when it leads to negative consequences. That shift often brings feelings of shame, secrecy, or confusion about how to regain balance.

The impact of addictions is rarely limited to the person using. Families, partners, employers, and friends often feel the strain. Financial pressure, legal issues, emotional distance, and changes in routine are common. Because addictions touch so many parts of life, therapy often focuses on practical strategies for reducing harm, rebuilding relationships, and restoring daily functioning as much as on addressing cravings or triggers.

Signs that you or a loved one might benefit from therapy

Knowing when to seek help is rarely straightforward. You might consider reaching out to a therapist if you notice that the behavior or substance use is interfering with responsibilities at work or home, if you find yourself lying or hiding the extent of use, or if efforts to cut back have been unsuccessful. Changes in mood, sleep, appetite, or motivation can accompany addictive patterns, as can increasing tolerance or withdrawal symptoms when use is reduced. You may also decide to look for a therapist when people you care about express concern, or when you start to feel trapped by cycles of use and regret.

Therapy can be helpful whether you are just beginning to question your relationship with a substance or behavior, or whether you have tried other approaches without lasting change. Gentle, early intervention may prevent problems from growing, and structured therapy can provide clearer strategies if patterns are more entrenched. Importantly, many people come to therapy not because they are certain they have an addiction, but because they want informed, nonjudgmental guidance to make a change.

What to expect in addictions-focused therapy

The first few sessions usually begin with assessment and collaborative goal setting. Your clinician will ask about your history, patterns of use, what has helped or hindered change in the past, and what you want to achieve. That process helps you and your therapist identify priorities, such as reducing use, avoiding relapse, repairing relationships, or improving physical and mental health. You will work together to create a treatment plan that feels realistic for your life and stage of change.

Therapy sessions often combine practical skills with exploration of underlying factors. You can expect to build strategies for managing cravings, handling high-risk situations, and reorganizing routines so that triggers are less powerful. Many therapists also help you examine the role of stress, trauma, mood difficulties, or social pressures in maintaining addictive patterns. Sessions may include homework - practicing new coping skills between meetings - and periodic reviews of progress so that the plan can be adjusted as needed.

Family involvement can be part of treatment when appropriate. Addiction affects relationships, and involving partners or family members can help rebuild trust, improve communication, and create a supportive environment for lasting change. If medication might play a role in your care, a therapist can coordinate with medical providers but will not prescribe medications unless they are also licensed to do so. Throughout therapy, you should expect a focus on practical steps that improve day-to-day functioning as well as longer-term change.

Common therapeutic approaches used for addictions

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, helps you identify unhelpful thoughts and patterns that contribute to use, and to replace them with more effective coping strategies. CBT for addictions emphasizes skill building - learning new ways to cope with cravings, manage stress, and avoid situations that increase risk. The approach often uses behavioral experiments and practiced responses so that new habits become more automatic over time.

Motivational interviewing

Motivational interviewing is a collaborative style designed to help you resolve ambivalence about change. Rather than telling you what to do, clinicians who use this approach ask questions and reflect your concerns so you can weigh reasons for and against changing. This method is particularly useful early in treatment when motivation is mixed and can help you find personally meaningful reasons to move in a healthier direction.

Relapse prevention and skills-based work

Relapse prevention focuses on identifying warning signs and building plans to respond to them. You will learn to recognize triggers, to create coping plans for high-risk moments, and to handle setbacks with problem-solving rather than self-blame. This approach treats relapse as a learning opportunity rather than a failure, which can help you maintain momentum and resilience over time.

Trauma-informed and holistic approaches

Because trauma, chronic stress, and mental health conditions often co-occur with addictive behaviors, many therapists use trauma-informed practices that prioritize your safety and pacing. Holistic approaches may integrate attention to sleep, movement, nutrition, and social connection as part of recovery. The aim is to support wellbeing across multiple domains so that change is more sustainable.

How online therapy works for addictions

Online therapy for addictions uses video, phone, or messaging to connect you with clinicians from wherever you are most comfortable. In many cases you can choose session formats that fit your schedule and travel constraints. Remote therapy can increase access if local specialists are limited or if travel is difficult, and it allows you to maintain continuity of care even when life circumstances change.

During online sessions you will engage in many of the same activities you would in person - assessment, skills practice, goal setting, and check-ins. Some therapists offer shorter or more frequent sessions for urgent support, while others follow a regular weekly schedule. When safety planning or coordination with local medical services is needed, your therapist can help you connect with nearby resources and create a plan that suits your environment. If you use messaging-based support, discuss boundaries and expected response times so you know how to access help in moments of need.

Tips for choosing the right addictions therapist

Start by identifying what matters most to you. Do you want a clinician with experience in a particular substance or behavior, or someone who uses specific methods like CBT or motivational interviewing? Consider whether you prefer individual therapy, group work, or family involvement. Thinking about logistics - such as session length, frequency, cost, and whether the therapist accepts your insurance - will help you narrow choices quickly.

Pay attention to cultural competence and personal fit. You should feel understood and respected in sessions, and a therapist who shares or deeply understands your background can be especially helpful. It is appropriate to ask potential therapists about their experience with addictions, how they measure progress, and how they handle relapse. Ask about how they coordinate with medical professionals if medication management might be relevant, and what supports they offer for crisis situations.

Trust your impressions from an initial consultation. If a therapist's style or approach does not feel like a match, it is reasonable to try another clinician. Finding the right therapist can take time, and the right fit often makes change feel more possible. Before your first appointment, prepare a short summary of your history, recent patterns, goals, and any immediate concerns so you can use session time effectively.

Moving forward

If you are ready to look for help, begin by browsing profiles and reading clinician descriptions to find someone who lists addictions as a focus. Reach out to ask brief questions about approach, availability, and what a typical first session looks like. Preparation and a clear sense of priorities can help you make the most of early sessions, and steady, practical steps often lead to meaningful improvements. Recovery is rarely linear, but with the right support you can build new patterns that fit the life you want to lead.