Addiction
Understanding Addiction
Addiction is often misunderstood as a lack of willpower or discipline. In reality, addiction is a complex response shaped by biology, trauma, stress, learning, and environment. Substances or behaviours that begin as coping strategies can gradually become relied upon to regulate emotions, manage pain, or escape distress.
At Lodestone Psychology, we approach addiction with compassion and clarity. Addiction is not a moral failing—it is a human response to unmet needs and overwhelming experiences. Therapy focuses on understanding the role substances or behaviours play in your life and supporting change that is realistic, respectful, and sustainable.
Types of Addictions We Support
Addiction can take many forms, and all deserve support. We work with individuals experiencing concerns related to:
Alcohol use
Drug use (including prescription misuse and illicit substances)
Cannabis use
Gambling
Pornography or compulsive sexual behaviours
Technology, gaming, or internet use
Other repetitive behaviours used to cope with distress
You do not need to identify as having an “addiction” to benefit from therapy. If your substance use or behaviour feels hard to control, is impacting your life, or no longer aligns with your values, therapy can help.
Why Addiction Develops
Addictive patterns often develop because they work—at least initially. Substances or behaviours can temporarily reduce anxiety, numb emotional pain, increase confidence, or provide relief from stress. Over time, reliance grows and other coping strategies shrink.
Addiction is frequently connected to:
Trauma or adverse life experiences
Chronic stress or burnout
Emotional regulation difficulties
Loneliness or disconnection
Shame, self-criticism, or low self-worth
Co‑occurring anxiety or depression
Understanding these underlying drivers is a key part of healing.
Shame, Secrecy, and Isolation
Shame is one of the biggest barriers to seeking help for addiction. Many people hide their struggles, minimize their use, or fear being judged or told what to do.
Therapy at Lodestone Psychology is non‑judgmental and collaborative. You are not required to commit to abstinence, label yourself, or follow a prescribed path. The work centres on honesty, safety, and choice.
Our Therapeutic Approach
Addiction therapy at Lodestone Psychology is individualized and evidence‑based. Depending on your goals, therapy may focus on:
Understanding triggers and patterns of use
Developing alternative coping and regulation strategies
Reducing harm and increasing safety
Addressing trauma, grief, or emotional pain
Strengthening motivation and values‑based decision‑making
Rebuilding self‑trust and accountability
Supporting relapse prevention without shame
We draw from approaches such as CBT, ACT, motivational interviewing, trauma‑informed care, and nervous‑system‑aware strategies.
Abstinence, Moderation, and Harm Reduction
We recognize that recovery is not one‑size‑fits‑all. Some people pursue abstinence, while others work toward moderation or harm reduction. Therapy respects your goals and supports change at a pace that feels achievable.
Our role is not to police behaviour, but to help you build a life that no longer requires reliance on substances or compulsive patterns to cope.
Addiction and Relationships
Addiction often affects relationships with partners, family members, and friends. Therapy can help address communication breakdowns, trust concerns, boundaries, and repair—whether you are seeking individual support or navigating relational impacts.
Addiction Therapy Overview
We support adults across Calgary and Alberta through in‑person and virtual addiction counselling. Many clients seek therapy privately, outside of formal treatment programs, or alongside other supports.
Change is possible, even when patterns feel entrenched. Therapy can offer a supportive, confidential space to explore addiction, reduce harm, and move toward a healthier relationship with yourself and your life.
