“ The only way out is through. ”
– Robert Frost

Addiction does not need to lead to a hopeless end

THERE IS ENDLESS HOPE

Addiction can be overwhelming for addicts and their family and loved ones. Often people find that the skills they possess, which has been effective in other area’s of their lives, are not effective when dealing with addiction. In fact, these skills perpetuates and makes the problem worse. This can leave one feeling extremely frustrated, powerless and hopelessness. The first step is to admit that what you are doing is not working and then be open to help.

Private Practice

In my private practice I work with individuals who are struggling with addiction, as well as individuals in recovery needing support. I also offer counselling to couples, families and loved ones of people with an addiction. I also help families, employers and friends facilitate interventions for people they believe need treatment.

INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

In a safe and confidential space, explore the roots of your addiction and develop personalized strategies for
recovery.

COUPLES & FAMILY COUNSELLING

Addiction impacts everyone. Couple and family counseling fosters healing and empowers loved ones to support recovery together.

INTERVENTIONS

Break the cycle of addiction. Intervention offers a structured approach to connect with your loved one and guide them towards professional help.

I am passionate about facilitating the journey from addiction to recovery, for addicts and their families.

LEIGH PETERSEN
Addiction Specialist

READ MORE

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Let’s Talk

For counselling, assessments & recommendations and interventions please contact me.
Available for Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangouts, WhatsApp Video Calls

“  Today is the only day you have control over. Choose recovery, choose yourself.  ”

MISCONCEPTIONS OF ADDICTION

The stigmatization of addition is still rife. Not just in the general public domain but also with individuals who have an addiction. The misconception of addiction...

RESTLESSNESS IRRITABILITY AND DIS-CONTENTEDNESS (R.I.D)

Addiction robs one of many things, tangible and material things and intangible like our morality, value boundaries, hope and purpose. I have heard many individuals in...

FEAR OF STOPPING

One of the criteria for addiction is to continue to use a drug/behaviour of choice despite negative consequences. This is one of the most frustrating aspects of...

BARGAINING

The denial component of the disease of addiction is primarily regarding the amount of control over the consumption of the substance or behaviour of choice. An example...

NOT Y.E.T.

There is a theory that for one to be truly open for recovery from an addiction, one needs to hit rock bottom first. There has also been a concerted effort made into...

WANTING TO WANT TO STOP.

Loss of control/impaired control over the consumption of mind and mood-altering substances or behaviours are at the root of the addiction. This suggests that the choice...

RESISTANCE

At the core of addiction is the phenomena of loss of/ impaired control over the consumption of mind and mood-altering substances or mind and mind-altering behaviour. No...

RECOVERY AND RELAPSE

Addiction is described as a chronic relapsing condition and we see this in the majority of people who are attempting abstinence from their drug of choice. Although...

SACRIFICE TO RECOVER

I am reminded daily about the misconceptions out there with regards to addiction. Firstly the preconceived ideas about what addiction is and then what the solution is...

ADDICTION A PROGRESSIVE AND DEGENERATIVE CONDITION

Addiction is a progressive and degenerative disease. It becomes worst over time. I have observed this progression in individuals who have remained in active addiction...

PROTECTING THE ADDICTION

Families and loved-ones of addicts and alcoholics are shocked when they become aware of the extent of the addicts using and the adverse consequences thereof. This is...

ABSTINENCE VS CONTROLLED USE

The majority of people who use alcohol and mood or mind-altering substances are what we call recreational users. They are capable of using these substances with...

COPING MECHANISM VS ADDICTION

I have heard many reasons why people started using mind-and-mood-altering substances. They range from escaping reality, coping with trauma, social lubricant, managing...

“I DON’T WANT TO STOP” WHAT NOW?

It is one of the most painful experiences to watch a loved one, child, sibling or parent slowly kill themselves through there addiction to drugs and alcohol. One cannot...

SITTING ON THE FENCE

Ambivalence is the state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something. During this state, it is impossible to make a decision. We find that addicts...

BAD VS SICK

In this day and age, the stigmatization of mental illness is still prevalent. This includes the illness of addiction. Some of the attitudes towards addiction e.g....

GRIEVING YOUR SUBSTANCE

Addiction is a progressive disease with different degrees of severity. The trajectory of severity depends on various factors, e.g. the substance and comorbid disorders...

GAMBLING ADDICTION

Behavioural (Process) additions are as destructive as an addiction to a substance. Examples of the behavioural addictions are Gambling, Gaming, Pornography, Sex and...

PATTERNS OF CONSUMPTION

The general public has their perception of what addiction looks like. People with addiction who are in denial also have a misconception what addiction looks like,...

SPLITTING

One of the methods addicts use to manipulate their significant others is though splitting the alliance these people are making against the addict's addiction. The...

BELIEFS WHICH KEEP YOU STUCK

We all have core beliefs formulated from our past experiences, passed on to us by our family system, and other factors from the past. Most of the time these beliefs are...

THE DISEASE OF FORGETFULNESS

Addiction has been described as a disease which tells you that you do not have the disease. This means that part of having the disease is believing that you do not have...

CROSS ADDICTION

More and more we experiencing individuals who have concurrent addictions. This means that they have several drug of choices, often the substances and or behaviours...

ADJUSTMENT

As mentioned in my previous post, people close to the addict often do not have access to the support and help which the addict has when they enter into recovery. They...

BEING RESTORED TO SANITY

Living in active addiction distorts our perception of reality. Being in denial of our addiction for years entrenches our denial system. Our thinking is geared to...

DENIAL IN THE FAMILY SYSTEM

We are more familiar with the denial system of the addict, which served to protect addicts against the painful reality of their lives. But we are less familiar with the...

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