Psychologist appointment
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Perth Western Australia
Posts: 2,671
Psychologist appointment
Well, although I have a fantastic, supportive GP that has been looking after me for the last 7 weeks since I stopped drinking, I have taken the plunge today and booked an appointment with a Therapist who deals in addiction problems.. I've put this off until now as I didn't feel ready but it's time to try and get to the bottom of why I keep self medicating.
I had a drug addiction a few years ago, and then just replaced the illegal addiction with the socially acceptable one! A lot has happened in my life which has obviously made me feel the need to numb the pain, but I will no longer be a victim- I need to actually work on myself so I don't fall back into these dangerous habits.
I only just came back onto SR a couple of days ago, as I wanted to get through the initial few weeks alone, but I feel so motivated right now-that I wish i had come back online weeks ago. I'm very grateful for all of the support that is on this forum..
I had a drug addiction a few years ago, and then just replaced the illegal addiction with the socially acceptable one! A lot has happened in my life which has obviously made me feel the need to numb the pain, but I will no longer be a victim- I need to actually work on myself so I don't fall back into these dangerous habits.
I only just came back onto SR a couple of days ago, as I wanted to get through the initial few weeks alone, but I feel so motivated right now-that I wish i had come back online weeks ago. I'm very grateful for all of the support that is on this forum..
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1,086
An addiction therapist can be an amazing resource. I used to see a therapist at my local drug & alcohol community centre and though I'd been to see a lot of other therapists, speaking to someone that specialised in addiction and could really guide me through the process transformed my recovery!
12 Step Recovered Alcoholic
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 6,613
I heard there are three types of therapist.
1, the toxic therapist who may try to run you life.
2, the ineffective therapist who will put being liked by you ahead of clinical progress.
3 the effective therapist who may sacrifice a bit of comfort in your relationship in order to help you see the truth and make some clinical progress.
As the effectiveness ofeach type of therapy is 90% down to the therapist, it makes sense to get a good one, even if at times the ride is a little uncomfortable.
1, the toxic therapist who may try to run you life.
2, the ineffective therapist who will put being liked by you ahead of clinical progress.
3 the effective therapist who may sacrifice a bit of comfort in your relationship in order to help you see the truth and make some clinical progress.
As the effectiveness ofeach type of therapy is 90% down to the therapist, it makes sense to get a good one, even if at times the ride is a little uncomfortable.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 230
Hi Nic233
Here is my experience.
I just had a session with my therapist this morning. She put forward the following analogy: You look at your life like looking into a wardrobe which is a complete mess and decide to tidy it up. So first off you take everything out of the wardrobe and then look around and see that, now, the whole room is a mess. So you wish you had never started. Your choices now are:
a) walk out of the room and close the door
b) stuff everything back into the wardrobe and hope for the best
c) start throwing away the stuff you don't want or need any more and putting the rest of the stuff back in order in the wardrobe.
Option c) is not an overnight process. I have been in therapy for 4 years already (sober for 2 years) and I am just about coming to accept myself as I am. No more need to self medicate. How much of this is down to the therapist ? I don't know. Mostly they guide you to make your own conclusions and, depending on how stubborn your addiction needs make you, this can take a long time. Ultimately though, it is up to you how long it takes. Personally, I am glad I went through it.
Good luck. You can change to a different therapist if you don't like the first one.
Here is my experience.
I just had a session with my therapist this morning. She put forward the following analogy: You look at your life like looking into a wardrobe which is a complete mess and decide to tidy it up. So first off you take everything out of the wardrobe and then look around and see that, now, the whole room is a mess. So you wish you had never started. Your choices now are:
a) walk out of the room and close the door
b) stuff everything back into the wardrobe and hope for the best
c) start throwing away the stuff you don't want or need any more and putting the rest of the stuff back in order in the wardrobe.
Option c) is not an overnight process. I have been in therapy for 4 years already (sober for 2 years) and I am just about coming to accept myself as I am. No more need to self medicate. How much of this is down to the therapist ? I don't know. Mostly they guide you to make your own conclusions and, depending on how stubborn your addiction needs make you, this can take a long time. Ultimately though, it is up to you how long it takes. Personally, I am glad I went through it.
Good luck. You can change to a different therapist if you don't like the first one.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Sonoran Desert & Southeast Asia
Posts: 6,561
My psychologist, who is also a recovered alcoholic, has been invaluable in helping me understand why I drank (to self medicate), what my issues were, and insights into the way I dealt with people and relationships. Also how much of a role my ego and faulty perceptions play into things. I simply couldn't have remained sober without his insight and assistance. Good luck.
Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: PA
Posts: 562
Good topic. I just booked an appointment to see a therapist......I'm hoping to get on w this and really finally solve it for good. I don't know the answer by myself.....that's what I'm looking for.....the answer.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Perth Western Australia
Posts: 2,671
Originally Posted by advbike 
My psychologist, who is also a recovered alcoholic, has been invaluable in helping me understand why I drank (to self medicate), what my issues were, and insights into the way I dealt with people and relationships. Also how much of a role my ego and faulty perceptions play into things. I simply couldn't have remained sober without his insight and assistance. Good luck.
Unload as much as you need Nic
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