Addiction Therapy
Addiction counselling London for alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex, gaming and compulsive behaviours. Non-judgemental expert support.
Addiction counselling London
Addiction is not a moral failure but a complex condition involving compulsive behaviour, loss of control, craving and continued use or repetition despite harm. Around 1 in 3 UK adults is affected by addiction or problematic dependency at some point, and NICE recommends psychological treatment such as CBT, motivational interviewing and relapse prevention alongside medical or community support where needed. Therapy can help you understand the function of the addiction, reduce shame and build a safer, more sustainable path forward.
Prevalence
Addiction affects around 1 in 3 UK adults at some point
Gold-standard treatment
CBT, motivational interviewing and relapse prevention
Typical recovery
Many clients benefit over 8–20 sessions depending on severity and complexity
Evidence-based treatment
CBT and motivational approaches are widely used in addiction recovery
More than abstinence alone
Therapy helps with shame, triggers, relapse patterns and the life around the addiction
1 in 3
UK adults are affected by addiction or dependency issues at some point
High
Addiction commonly overlaps with trauma, anxiety, depression and relationship strain
8–20
Sessions often support motivation, change and relapse prevention
Free self-assessment
Free mental health test
Two minutes, confidential, instant results. See where you stand before you book.
Clinically reviewed by
Dr Martina Paglia
Founder & CEO of Mind a Porter
HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist
Special interests include anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, burnout, workplace stress, relationship difficulties and high-performance mental wellbeing.
Last reviewed: 13 August 2026
All health information on Mind a Porter is clinically reviewed by our clinical lead. These resources are educational and do not replace professional advice.
AI-ready summary
Addiction is not a moral failure but a complex condition involving compulsive behaviour, loss of control, craving and continued use or repetition despite harm. Around 1 in 3 UK adults is affected by addiction or problematic dependency at some point, and NICE recommends psychological treatment such as CBT, motivational interviewing and relapse prevention alongside medical or community support where needed. Therapy can help you understand the function of the addiction, reduce shame and build a safer, more sustainable path forward.
Understanding addiction
When relief turns into something that starts to run your life
Addiction counselling supports people whose relationship with a substance or behaviour has become compulsive, distressing or harmful. Many people seek addiction counselling London because something that once felt like relief, escape, stimulation or control now feels increasingly costly. That might involve alcohol, drugs, prescription medication, gambling, sex, pornography, gaming, shopping, work or another repetitive behaviour that no longer feels fully chosen.
Addiction often develops in the context of pain. It may be linked to trauma, stress, loneliness, shame, anxiety, depression, neurodivergence, work pressure or the need to numb, manage or avoid difficult feelings. For some people the biggest struggle is secrecy and self-contempt. For others it is the fear of changing a coping system that, however destructive, has also felt necessary. Addiction counselling London needs to make space for both the harms and the function of the behaviour if change is going to be realistic and lasting.
Good treatment is not only about telling you to stop. It helps you understand the cycle of triggers, urges, use, temporary relief and longer-term consequences. Therapy can support abstinence, harm reduction or exploratory work depending on your goals, risk level and readiness for change. It can also help with relationships, relapse risk, identity in recovery and what life needs to become if the addiction is no longer doing the emotional work it used to do.
Understanding causes
What contributes to addiction
Addiction rarely has a single cause. It usually builds up from a combination of biological, psychological and environmental factors, and understanding your own pattern is an important part of finding the right support.
Biological factors: Genetics, brain chemistry, physical health and sleep patterns can all play a role in how addiction develops and is experienced.
Psychological factors: Thinking styles, past experiences, personality traits and learned coping patterns can maintain or worsen addiction over time.
Environmental factors: Stress, relationships, work pressure, life transitions and broader social or cultural factors often contribute to when and how addiction surfaces.
Benefits
The benefits of Addiction Therapy
A clearer understanding of what is keeping your addiction going and why
Practical tools from cbt to manage triggers and setbacks in daily life
Reduced intensity and frequency of addiction symptoms as the work progresses
Better sleep, focus and energy as addiction stops dominating your day
More confidence in social, work and relationship situations
A therapeutic relationship you can return to whenever things feel harder
Common signs
Signs addiction counselling London may help
Addiction can affect behaviour, mood, relationships, finances and physical health at the same time. Many people recognise several of these patterns rather than one single symptom.
- Using a substance or behaviour to cope with difficult feelings repeatedly
- Feeling unable to cut down, stop or stay within your own limits
- Craving, preoccupation or spending a lot of time recovering from use
- Continuing despite harm to relationships, work, health or finances
- Hiding the behaviour, lying or feeling deep shame about it
- Needing more of the substance or behaviour over time
- Relapsing after repeated attempts to stop
- Feeling life has narrowed around the addiction or fear of losing it
When to seek help
When is it time to seek therapy for addiction?
It is worth reaching out when addiction is starting to affect your daily life, relationships or wellbeing. You do not need to wait until things feel unmanageable. These are the signs that professional support could help.
- using a substance or behaviour to cope with difficult feelings repeatedly
- feeling unable to cut down, stop or stay within your own limits
- craving, preoccupation or spending a lot of time recovering from use
- continuing despite harm to relationships, work, health or finances
- hiding the behaviour, lying or feeling deep shame about it
- needing more of the substance or behaviour over time
Recognise any of these signs?
You don't have to figure it out alone. A 15-minute £1 discovery call can help you make sense of what's happening and what kind of support might help. Therapy for addiction is available online or in person in London.
Addictive patterns we support
Addiction-related patterns therapy can help with
Treatment is most useful when it understands the actual behaviour, the role it plays and the emotional system around it.
Alcohol and substance addiction
Support for alcohol, drugs and prescription medication when use has become compulsive or harmful.
Explore this areaBehavioural addictions
Therapy can help with gambling, sex, pornography, shopping, gaming or work addiction patterns.
Explore this areaAddiction with trauma or shame
Many people need support for the pain, secrecy and self-attack underneath the addictive cycle.
Explore this areaRelationship and family impact
Addiction often affects trust, conflict, codependency and the whole emotional climate around the person using.
Explore this areaHow treatment helps
How therapy helps the addictive cycle loosen
The best treatment depends on the addiction type, level of risk, motivation for change and what emotional needs the behaviour is currently serving.
Motivational Interviewing
Helps you work with ambivalence honestly and strengthen your own motivation for change rather than forcing a borrowed solution.
Learn moreCBT for addiction
CBT helps identify triggers, beliefs, routines and emotional patterns that keep addictive cycles going.
Learn moreRelapse prevention work
Supports planning for risk situations, warning signs, slips and long-term recovery rather than only crisis response.
Learn moreTrauma and shame-informed therapy
Useful when the addiction is closely linked to painful history, emotional numbing or intense self-criticism.
Learn moreFees & booking
Transparent pricing for addiction therapy
Clients never pay more with us than going direct, and our therapists offer their best rates.
What to expect
What does a first addiction counselling session look like?
A first addiction session usually starts by understanding the behaviour and its role in your life without judgement. Your therapist will ask what the substance or behaviour is, how often it happens, what triggers it, what it gives you and what it is costing you, including secrecy, shame, relationships, work or health.
You may also explore what the addiction is helping you manage, such as trauma, anxiety, loneliness, stress or emotional pain, and what previous attempts to change have looked like. The session pays attention to risk, readiness and whether your goal is abstinence, harm reduction or understanding the pattern first.
By the end of the session you should feel less shame and more clarity, with a clearer understanding of what motivational, CBT or relapse-prevention work would involve and what a realistic next step would be. Most people leave feeling relief that honesty was met with respect rather than judgement.
Ready to take the first step?
Book a £1 discovery call, or browse therapists near you for addiction therapy. Online and in-person sessions across London.
Why Choose Us
Why Mind a Porter for addiction counselling London?
Clients often choose us when they want confidential, adult support that takes the addiction seriously without reducing them to it.
Evidence-based care
Therapists use structured approaches for addiction, anger and the emotional pain that often sits underneath them.
Non-judgemental support
Care is confidential, respectful and built to reduce shame rather than deepen it.
Tailored treatment
Support is adapted to your goals, triggers, history and readiness for change.
Practical change
Therapy focuses on safer coping, relapse prevention, emotional regulation and long-term stability.
Recommended Therapists
Online via Google MeetMs Simonetta FucecchiPsychotherapist
I am a BACP-registered integrative counsellor/psychotherapist working privately, drawing on a range of counselling approaches including humanistic, psychodynamic, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Since qualifying, I have worked in several practices, including The Centre of You and Phoenix Counselling, where I undertook further specialised training in interpersonal trauma and abuse. I offer both short- and long-term therapy, working with adults online across a broad range of difficulties. My main areas of expertise include anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, self-harm, relationship issues, loss and bereavement, and interpersonal trauma, including sexual, emotional and physical abuse, as well as neglect.
Dr Sara Parsi Di LandroneClinical Psychologist
I am a private HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist and a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS). Alongside clinical practice, I have worked as a coordinator, trainer, supervisor, lecturer, and Associate Dean within psychological and academic settings. Over 13 years of clinical experience across private practice, educational, and hospital environments, I have worked with a wide range of psychological difficulties. These include anxiety disorders, PTSD, grief, trauma, depressive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), sexual disorders, paranoia, psychosis, personality disorders, and relationship difficulties, including family and couple therapy. I am also trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), a trauma-focused therapy that supports the processing and resolution of distressing experiences. This complements my broader clinical work with complex presentations.
Dr Sergio SpinelliPsychotherapist
I am a private Chartered Psychologist and Psychotherapist based in London Bridge, with over 25 years of experience working with adults, teenagers, families and couples. I am a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society and practice in both English and Italian. My academic background includes a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Turin, along with a four-year postgraduate diploma in Analytical Psychotherapy from the Lista Institute in Milan. I also completed advanced training in systemic and relational therapy at Lugano Hospital in Switzerland. Throughout my career, I have supported individuals facing a wide range of challenges, including depression, anxiety, addiction, eating disorders, chronic pain, and relationship difficulties. Each experience has deepened my understanding of the human condition and strengthened my commitment to providing compassionate, personalised care.
Mrs Emily McmullanCounsellor
I am a BACP-registered counsellor holding a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy. With five years of clinical experience, including extensive service within the NHS, I provide professional, confidential support to teenagers aged thirteen to seventeen and adults. My practice is focused on online therapy, delivered via video or telephone, providing an accessible space for those navigating complex emotional challenges. I bring depth of experience to issues such as bereavement, depression, burnout, and profound life transitions, alongside supporting clients managing codependency, perfectionism, and workplace stress. I am equally adept at helping individuals navigate the intricacies of relationship issues, including trust, jealousy, and abandonment. Throughout my five years of practice, I have remained committed to providing a calm, professional, and consistent environment where individuals can explore the nuances of their personal experiences. Whether you are addressing long-standing imposter syndrome or immediate feelings of loneliness, I offer a steady, informed presence to support your journey.
Dr Esther MordantPsychotherapist
I am a psychotherapist registered with the BACP with over 11 years of clinical experience. Holding an MSc in Counselling Psychology, I have provided professional support across NHS, charity, and private practice settings. My clinical background is grounded in delivering both individual therapy for adults and specialised therapeutic support for adolescents aged 13 to 17. Throughout my career, I have developed a deep expertise in supporting clients through complex life transitions, bereavement, and the profound challenges associated with grief and loss. I am particularly dedicated to assisting those navigating recovery from depression, divorce, and the long-term impact of domestic and narcissistic abuse. I offer my services in English, Hebrew, and Russian, ensuring a broad accessibility for those seeking a compassionate and highly qualified practitioner. My practice is built upon a firm commitment to ethical standards and a clinically rigorous approach to helping individuals find clarity and resilience.
Ms Aanu Jide-ojoClinical Psychologist
I am an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist with seven years of professional experience. My academic background includes a B.Sc. in Psychology, an M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology, and an M.Sc. in Organisational Psychiatry and Psychology. I provide a comprehensive range of clinical services, including individual therapy, couples and family counselling, and autism assessment. My practice is informed by an extensive breadth of modalities, such as CBT, ACT, DBT, Internal Family Systems, the Gottman Method, and Somatic Therapy. I work with a diverse client base, supporting teenagers, adults, and seniors through complex challenges including PTSD, personality disorders, neurodivergence, and relationship dynamics. By integrating trauma-informed and LGBTQ+ affirmative approaches, I offer a tailored, professional space designed to address the unique intersections of identity and life experience. My clinical commitment is to provide expert, evidence-based psychological support that empowers you to navigate significant transitions, workplace pressures, and personal growth with confidence and clarity.
What Our Clients Say
Real experiences from people who've transformed their lives through therapy
Grace
Therapy for Anxiety
Finally found the right therapist
After years of struggling with anxiety, I finally found the right therapist through Mind a Porter. The CBT sessions have been transformative. I'm now …
Tia
Same Day Appointment
Convenience meets expertise
The convenience of online therapy combined with world-class expertise was exactly what I needed. My therapist understood the pressures of startup life…
Sally
Quick Support
EMDR changed my life
I was skeptical about therapy, but the EMDR sessions helped me process past trauma I didn't even realize was affecting me. The therapist was incredibl…
Charlotte
Therapist Match
A safe, supportive space
From the first session I felt heard and understood. Booking was effortless and my therapist tailored every session to what I needed that week. Highly …
Rick
Therapy for Work Stress
Elli
Recommend to Anyone
Carolyn
Finally Asked for Help
Angie
Felt Comfortable
Élodie
Expat in London
Resources
Trusted addiction resources
These organisations offer reliable information and extra support alongside therapy.
What people usually ask about addiction counselling
These are common questions from people worried about addiction, dependency or feeling trapped in repetitive compulsive behaviours.
Do I need to be completely abstinent before I start therapy?
No. Many people begin therapy while still using or still repeating the behaviour they are worried about. Addiction counselling London can support abstinence, harm reduction or exploratory work depending on your goals and level of risk. The important thing is honesty and a willingness to look at the pattern, not arriving as if the problem is already solved.
What kinds of addiction can therapy help with?
Therapy can help with alcohol, drugs, prescription medication, gambling, sex, pornography, gaming, shopping, work addiction and other compulsive patterns. Some people come with a single clear addiction; others have several behaviours that intensify when stress or shame is high. The therapy focuses on both the behaviour itself and the emotional needs it is serving.
Is addiction counselling confidential?
Yes. Therapy is confidential and non-judgemental, which matters because shame and secrecy often keep addiction locked in place. Information is only shared with your consent, except where there is serious risk to you or someone else and safety has to come first.
Can therapy help even if I relapse?
Absolutely. Relapse does not mean treatment has failed or that change is impossible. It often provides important information about triggers, unmet needs, stress levels or unrealistic expectations in the recovery plan. Good addiction therapy helps you understand the relapse, learn from it and strengthen the next stage of change rather than collapsing into shame.
Will therapy also help my family or relationship?
Often, yes. Addiction rarely affects only one person. Therapy can help with secrecy, trust damage, codependency, anger and communication strain around the addiction. Some people do individual work first, while others also bring a partner or seek family-focused support alongside their own recovery.
How much does therapy for addiction cost in London, and can I use insurance?
Fees for addiction therapy in London vary by clinician experience, whether you choose online or in-person sessions, and the level of specialist support you need. Many people begin with a £1 discovery call to see whether the therapist feels like the right fit before committing to ongoing work. If you hope to use private health insurance, cover depends on your policy and the therapist's insurer recognition, so it is worth checking authorisation requirements and reimbursement rules before your first appointment.
When should I seek therapy for addiction?
It is worth considering therapy when addiction is becoming persistent, distressing, or harder to manage on your own, especially if it is affecting work, relationships, sleep, confidence, or day-to-day functioning. You do not need to wait until things feel severe before asking for support. Early therapy can help you understand what is driving the pattern, reduce symptoms sooner, and decide whether focused online treatment, in-person therapy in London, or a broader clinical review is the most appropriate next step.
This page is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are concerned about addiction, please speak with a qualified therapist or your GP. In a crisis, call 999 or Samaritans on 116 123.
The right therapist for Addiction Therapy
is worth finding
Book addiction counselling London support for dependency, compulsive behaviours, relapse patterns and a safer path through recovery.
Explore More
Related Resources
Related conditions, therapies, locations and free self-assessments