At The Living Room, we treat all addictions and are accessible to all.
Addiction does not discriminate and can affect anyone from any background, belief or status. Addiction may have complex causes including inherited biological and social risk factors working in tandem. Addiction is an illness that compromises a range of cognitive functions such as:
We identify addiction as not only encompassing dependence on drugs (both legal and otherwise) such as opiates, nicotine, alcohol etc, but also a range of obsessive and compulsive behaviours that encompass such things as problem gambling, eating disorders, shopping, gaming, hoarding, exercising or working excessively, sex addiction and self harm.
Unless dealt with, addiction will remain a chronic condition incorporating cycles of relapse and recovery. It will also have an impact on children, families and communities.
At The Living Room, we maintain that on-going recovery from addiction is possible with a range of cognitive tools and the appropriate support networks.
The term ‘Retail Therapy’ is sometimes given to someone who is spending money on frivolous things as a means of making themselves feel better or different. However, when taken to extremes it can become addictive, and lead to more severe difficulties. Read more
At The Living Room we see self harm as an addictive response to ‘out of control feelings’ of deep distress; just like some people use drugs, alcohol & other addictive behaviours to ‘cope’ with their feelings. Read more
At some time most people will have viewed porn, been distraught at the loss of a relationship or experienced infatuation for someone? But for some, feelings of sexual longing, infatuation have become obsessive and their behaviour a compulsive problem. Read more
Compulsive gambling can harm your health and relationships, and leave you in serious debt. If you have a problem with gambling and you would like to stop, support is available. Read more
People often suffer with eating disorders for many years before seeking help, making recovery an often painstaking process. Read more
Some drugs, such as heroin, are physically addictive with the user finding he/she needs to take more in order to prevent withdrawal. Others, such as cocaine and amphetamines, do not produce severe withdrawal symptoms but can be just as addictive. Read more
If you are dependent on alcohol, you will have found it difficult to cut down or give up - especially if you've tried to do so alone. The effects of alcohol addiction can be devastating to the individual as well as family and friends. Realising you've got a problem with alcohol is the first big step to getting help. Read more
If your life has been impacted by the addiction of a loved one, then we can help you to regain some normality in your life. The Living Room runs weekly specialist counselling groups for friends and family members of those suffering with addiction. Read more