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Addiction Counselling
Services in Calgary

Stepping into Addiction Counselling is a big step so congratulations on getting to this point. Stepping into Addiction Counselling is a big step, so congratulations on getting to this point. By now, you likely have some suspicion (if not total clarity) that your substance use or behaviour engagement has become unmanageable and you would like to further explore treatment for this. Below is information about how Sana Psychological may be able to support you in your journey.

The short story

At Sana Psychological, Paige Abbott (Registered Psychologist) works with Addiction of any manifestation.

Addiction counselling involves an initial session or two to get to know you and determine treatment planning and recommendations, which will include self-management strategies as well as community support. Sessions can occur in person or virtually (by phone or video). Fees are $200/session. Treatment can be short-term (3-6 months) or long-term (6 months +) depending on need and preference. Addiction is treated as a chronic condition of the brain and sessions are a combination of process and psychoeducational support to appreciate the difference between you and the unhealthy part of your brain. Sessions are also available for family members and loved ones who are open to supporting around boundaries, self-care and communication.

The long story

At Sana Psychological, Paige Abbott (Registered Psychologist) works with Addiction of any manifestation.

Alcohol use
Drug use
Gambling
Relationships
Codependency
Sex and love
Eating disorders
Shopping / Spending

Follow-up sessions will be a combination of processing where you are at, what you have been trying and doing, what is/is not helping, exploration of triggers and vulnerabilities, building of strengths and resources through accountability and gentle feedback and challenging. Paige Abbott endorses and encourages participation in addiction recovery community support groups, whether that be 12-Step programs, SMART Recovery, Recovery Dharma, or any other support groups that you come across to aid you in your journey.

A major part of Addiction Counselling is the exploration of relationships and feelings, as these do tend to drive a lot of the fuel that supports Addiction. Therefore, you can anticipate that the exploration of these areas will constitute part of the counselling process. Initially, we will focus on stabilization and immediate needs for health and safety, including looking at detoxification supports if needed. As stabilization occurs, a more in-depth exploration of the underlying roots and drivers of problematic behaviours can happen.

The Face of Codependency – Alice’s Story:

Here is an example of a woman, Alice, and her story. Alice is not one real person but, rather, an amalgam of many people’s journey’s put together. We encourage you to take some time to get to know Alice and see if any of her story resonates for you.

Alice grew up in a family with two younger siblings and two parents. Her dad was a hard worker and rarely at home. When he was home, she remembers him being quite distant and absent, or else angry and disciplining her and her siblings. It was not until adulthood that Alice realized her father struggled with Addiction, in particular alcoholism. She did not remember him drunk but learned later about the connection between his nightly whiskey drinks and the unhealthy behaviours she saw in him. Alice’s mother was a quiet, passive woman who was there to serve her children. She often entered “slumps” and would spend much of the day in bed, leaving Alice to care for her siblings much like a parent. Alice was exposed to caretaking from a young age.

Alice grew up being a very studious and serious individual. She was involved in some activities at school and thrived on performance and competition. She did not have many close friends, rather acquaintances. As she entered adulthood, this pattern continued. Alice had some interest in dating but was unsure how to do it and felt insecure, doubtful about herself. Besides, she still had her hands full with her family as she supported her siblings with their finances and kids, as well as helping out her parents who were ageing and ailing. This left little time for Alice to focus much on herself or her own life.

Alice’s turning point of change came when she met a man through work that she was quite attracted to. She became frustrated as she realized that she had limited time or skills to pursue that relationship. She started to date him but he quickly became frustrated by the amount of time she spent supporting her family and would tell Alice that he felt unappreciated and disrespected. Alice wanted to commit more time to him and their relationship but she felt pulled in many different directions. They dated for a while but then he ended the relationship. It was at this point that Alice decided to explore therapy and was open to looking at boundaries with her family.

For the next year, Alice spent time working on detaching from her family and creating more time for herself. She involved herself in different activities and also engaged with journaling, meditation, exercise, and a support group in addition to individual counselling. Through this time, Alice started to feel that she had more connection with herself. She then felt ready to start dating and met someone. She is currently in the early days of that relationship and is happy to take it slow and get to know this person while continuing her personal development work.

This example is just one of many. Alice’s story pulls in many life stories from numerous clients over the years but has some of the key elements of a lost sense of self, resentment, and missing out on life due to relationships. If any of Alice’s story resonates with you, this is an important point of reflection as it may be telling you there is more to explore here in terms of codependency, relationships, and boundaries.

External Referrals

Sometimes people require more intensive treatment programs than what can be provided in outpatient counselling.

If this is the case for you or if it is determined you would benefit from more intensive treatment, Sana Psychological can provide referrals to suitable rehab programs at treatment facilities. As mentioned above, encouragement may also be made to check-out community and mutual support groups as peer support for recovery is incredibly important. Sana Psychological is here to help you start your journey of recovery as well as for continuing care. If you have been in recovery for years and are looking to keep furthering your journey to well-being, please reach out.

Sana Psychological’s Approach
to Addiction

Paige Abbott has worked in Addiction treatment since 2011 and has come to strongly appreciate that Addiction is Addiction, which means that Addiction is about the brain and genetics more than it is about the specific behaviours (these are just symptoms).

In a nutshell, the understanding is that risk for Addiction is created at the level of genetics

The treatment plan becomes about the stabilization of acute physical health and substance risks, followed by getting to know what Addiction looks like and how it operates inside of you. Encouraged recovery is to look at a variety and diversity of coping mechanisms, including aspects of physical, emotional, cognitive, social, spiritual, financial, and cultural health.

Paige is the co-author of three books related to Addiction that she would encourage you to check out to learn more about this approach to Addiction Counselling. These books are ‘Addiction is Addiction,’ ‘Addiction is Addiction Workbook‘ and ‘Love, the Drug.’

For loved ones

Sessions are also available for family members and loved ones who are concerned about someone else’s Addiction-related behaviour and are open to exploring support for themselves. Typically this support will involve learning about you, the challenges and strengths you carry, and exploration of boundaries, self-care, and healthy communication.

Additional points

Unsure if you have Addiction? Sana Psychological can help you assess and determine where you are currently at and provide support suggestions to meet you wherever you are in your journey of health and wellness.

Logistics

Addictions counselling Calgary sessions are offered in-person and using Technology Assisted Counselling across Alberta and Canada, depending on need and preference. Session fee is $200/session and can be short or long-term support for those new to or experienced in recovery.