Compulsive Behaviours & Recovery Support

Types of Compulsive Behaviours

Alcohol-Related Concerns

A difficult relationship with alcohol can take hold of your life and cripple your ability to engage with family and at work, ultimately taking you off course of what really matters in your life. Alcohol dependence can develop due to many reasons, including inherited belief systems, the expatriate lifestyle, and/or a lack of work life balance. Combine this with stressors, which include being away from families and home countries, alcohol use can become compulsive and debilitating.

Compulsive Sexual Behaviour

Compulsive sexual behaviour refers to a number of behaviours that are done in excess and impact a person's life in a negative way. Although sex compulsion is not ‘formally’ diagnosable, it is a condition that does exist and often co-exists with adverse emotions such as distress, guilt and shame. While it is overwhelming and distressing for the person affected, it is likewise devastating and extremely disorienting for their partner, not to mention the children who end up victims as well.

Compulsive Gambling

Compulsive gambling, also called gambling disorder, is a type of impulse control disorder. People who have a gambling compulsion feel compelled to gamble, even if aware of the negative effects this has on their life. Gambling releases dopamine from the brain's "reward centre", just as drinking alcohol or taking certain illicit drugs does. As their condition worsens, problem gamblers feel compelled to gamble more and for higher stakes, in order to get the same "high".

Support for Compulsive Behaviours

Change is not easy and there is no treatment that is guaranteed to work for every individual. The approach will also depend on the behaviour being addressed.

Your therapist will work with you to establish a baseline of trust and support, and from there determine the best course of treatment for you. This may include individual counselling in conjunction with one or more types of psychotherapy.

Participation in a 12 Step Programme for recovery is also likely to be a component.