ADDICTION
Addiction can affect behaviour, emotions, relationships, finances, physical health, employment, self-trust and day-to-day functioning.
This hub brings together psychology services and educational articles for people wanting to better understand alcohol or substance use, gambling, cravings, urges, relapse patterns, habits and behaviour change.
Addiction can involve repeated use of a substance or engagement in a behaviour despite harmful consequences, difficulty reducing or stopping, strong urges or cravings, and patterns that interfere with health, relationships, work or daily life.
Addictive patterns are influenced by interacting biological, psychological, social and environmental factors. They are not simply a failure of willpower.
This hub provides a pathway to a service page for people considering psychological support and an educational article for people wanting to better understand addiction, cravings, relapse patterns and behaviour change.
This service page explains psychological support for addiction and related behaviour patterns. It has a distinct service focus so that it complements, rather than competes with, this broader hub page.
Learn how psychological support may assist with understanding triggers, cravings, urges, relapse patterns, motivation, coping and behaviour change.
This educational article provides general information about addiction and behaviour change. It supports the service page without duplicating its treatment-focused purpose.
Learn about addiction, cravings, reinforcement, habit loops, relapse risk and the psychological processes involved in behaviour change.
Psychological support is not based only on the substance or behaviour involved.
Assessment and formulation help clarify triggers, reinforcement patterns, cravings, withdrawal, motivation, mental and physical health, relationships, environment, risks, strengths, preferences and goals.
Support may include motivational interviewing, functional analysis, coping skills, craving management, relapse prevention, emotional regulation, values-based action and practical changes to routines and environments.
Where withdrawal or medical risk is present, appropriate medical assessment and coordinated care may be required.
This Addiction hub provides an overview and helps you navigate the related resources on this website.
The psychology service page explains support options and is intended for people considering psychological care.
The educational article provides general information about addiction, cravings, relapse patterns and behaviour change.
You can begin with the resource that most closely matches your current concern and move between the pages as needed.
Addiction can overlap with emotional regulation difficulties, mood symptoms and broader therapy needs. These related hubs provide separate pathways without duplicating the purpose of the Addiction hub.
Explore evidence-based psychological approaches and how therapy may be tailored to individual needs, preferences and goals.
Explore psychology services and educational resources relating to depression, bipolar disorder, low mood and mood-related functioning.
Explore resources about managing strong emotions, distress, behaviour patterns and practical strategies for change.
Common questions about addiction and accessing psychological support.
This page brings together a psychology service and an educational article so you can find information about addiction, cravings, habits and behaviour change in one place.
No. Addiction is influenced by interacting biological, psychological, social and environmental factors. Treatment focuses on understanding patterns and building practical pathways for change.
No. Many people seek support because alcohol, substances, gambling or another behaviour is becoming difficult to control or is affecting health, relationships, finances, work or daily functioning.
This hub organises the broader Addiction cluster. The service page provides more specific information about psychological support and appointment-related care.
Yes. Therapy is available in person at Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast or via secure telehealth anywhere in Australia, where clinically appropriate.
Psychology appointments are available for adolescents and adults in person at Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast and via secure telehealth across Australia, where clinically appropriate.
For current availability, appointment types and funding information, visit the Appointment Availability page, or book online when you are ready.