Addiction Help in Ireland: Alcohol, Drugs, Cocaine, Gambling, Smoking, Vaping, Food, Pornography and Behavioural Addictions

Last updated: July 2026

Written and clinically reviewed by Claire Russell, Registered Nutritionist, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Counsellor, Psychotherapist, RTT Practitioner and Advanced Rapid Transformational Therapist

Addiction rarely begins because someone does not care about their health, relationship, children or future. It may begin as an attempt to manage anxiety, emotional pain, exhaustion, low mood, grief, restlessness, sensory overload or physical discomfort.

What first provides relief can gradually become a pattern that feels increasingly difficult to control.

You may know that alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, prescription medicines, gambling, smoking, vaping, pornography, food or another repeated behaviour is harming you, yet still find yourself returning to it.

Perhaps you have promised yourself and the people you love that this time will be different. You may stop for several days or weeks, then begin again when stress, loneliness, tiredness, anger, rejection, grief or craving becomes difficult to tolerate.

You may also be reading because someone you love has changed. Money may be disappearing. Trust may have broken down. Alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography or another compulsive behaviour may be affecting your relationship, children, work or home.

Addiction is not simply weak willpower. It can involve physical dependence, reward learning, stress physiology, automatic habits, emotional distress, impulsivity, poor sleep, nutritional depletion, altered appetite, gut-brain symptoms and powerful learned associations between a substance or behaviour and temporary relief.

Claire Russell Therapy provides addiction-related Counselling, Psychotherapy, Couples Counselling, Marriage Counselling, Clinical Hypnotherapy, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, Hypnosis, Rapid Transformational Therapy, known as RTT, Registered Nutritionist Services and Functional Medicine-informed nutrition.

Appointments are available ONLINE throughout Ireland and internationally, with in-person appointments in Adare, Newcastle West, Limerick, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Kanturk, Midleton, Youghal, Cork, Dublin, Lismore and Dungarvan.

Book a free confidential 15-minute consultation or contact Claire Russell Therapy.

Summary

Addiction is a persistent or recurring pattern involving impaired control, craving and continuation despite harm.

It may involve:

Alcohol
Cocaine and other stimulants
Cannabis
Opioids and heroin
Prescription painkillers
Benzodiazepines and sleeping tablets
Ketamine, MDMA, ecstasy and amphetamines
Smoking, vaping, snus and other nicotine products
Gambling
Pornography and compulsive sexual behaviour
Binge eating, sugar and food-related compulsions
Gaming, social media and internet use
Shopping and online spending
More than one substance or behaviour

Different addictions can engage overlapping reward, stress, memory and habit systems. However, they are not medically interchangeable.

Alcohol withdrawal, opioid overdose, cocaine-related chest pain, gambling-related suicide risk and binge-eating patterns require different forms of assessment and care.

Some people need urgent medical treatment, medically managed withdrawal, medication or specialist addiction services. Others need help with cravings, anxiety, ADHD, trauma-related difficulties, relationships, sleep, nutrition or relapse prevention.

Many benefit from several forms of care working together.

Clinical Hypnotherapy, Counselling, Psychotherapy, RTT and Registered Nutritionist Services can form part of an integrated plan, but they do not replace emergency care, medically managed withdrawal, specialist addiction medicine, psychiatric assessment or prescribed treatment.

Clickable Contents

Start Here: Which Situation Describes You?

I Am Worried About My Own Behaviour

You may be drinking, using drugs, gambling, smoking, vaping, viewing pornography, binge eating, shopping or gaming more than you intend.

You may not know whether the word addiction applies.

You do not need to wait until your health, finances, relationship or career collapses before seeking help.

Complete the Addiction Impact Check and consider arranging a confidential assessment.

I Am Worried About Someone Else

You may be watching a partner, teenager, adult child, sibling or parent become secretive, intoxicated, financially unstable, emotionally absent or increasingly unreliable.

You cannot force another adult to recover.

You can:

Protect children
Secure household money
Refuse to fund gambling or substance use
Stop concealing dangerous behaviour
Set enforceable boundaries
Seek professional guidance for yourself

Go directly to What to Do When Someone You Love Has an Addiction.

I May Be Physically Dependent

Do not suddenly stop heavy daily alcohol use, regular benzodiazepines or certain other substances without appropriate medical advice.

Physical dependence can cause dangerous withdrawal.

Warning signs may include:

Shaking
Sweating
Severe agitation
Hallucinations
Seizures
Vomiting
Rapid heartbeat
Severe confusion
Needing a substance to feel physically normal

Contact your GP, an addiction medical service or an emergency department.

I Need Urgent Help Now

Call 112 or 999 in Ireland if someone:

Is unconscious or cannot be awakened
Has slow, shallow, irregular or stopped breathing
Has blue or grey lips
Has collapsed
Is experiencing a seizure
Is hallucinating or severely confused
May have overdosed
Has severe chest pain
Is violent or carrying a weapon
Is at immediate risk of suicide
Is experiencing dangerous alcohol or sedative withdrawal
Cannot safely care for a child

The HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline provides confidential information on 1800 459 459, Monday to Friday from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm.

The Gambling Awareness Trust National Helpline is available on 1800 936 725, 24 hours a day.

Quick Answers About Addiction

What Is Addiction?

Addiction is a repeated pattern of substance use or behaviour that becomes difficult to control and continues despite significant harm.

What Are the Main Warning Signs?

Concern increases when there is:

Loss of control
Secrecy or deception
Tolerance
Withdrawal
Repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop
Neglect of work, parenting or relationships
Continued behaviour despite obvious harm
Risk to the person or other people

Is Addiction a Choice?

The first episodes of use may involve choice. Repeated use can strengthen craving, habit learning, cue-driven responses and physical dependence.

A person remains responsible for seeking help and changing harmful behaviour. However, addiction cannot be adequately explained as carelessness or a character flaw.

Is Recovery Possible?

Yes.

People recover through different pathways. Treatment may include medical care, medication, specialist addiction services, Counselling, Psychotherapy, behavioural intervention, Clinical Hypnotherapy, relationship work, financial safeguards, nutrition support and relapse prevention.

Can Clinical Hypnotherapy Help?

Clinical Hypnotherapy may help selected clients with automatic habits, cravings, trigger rehearsal, smoking or vaping routines, anxiety and confidence.

It does not replace medical withdrawal management, overdose prevention, prescribed medication or specialist addiction treatment.

Addiction in Ireland: Why Early Help Matters

Addiction affects people in every part of Irish society. It is not limited to one age group, profession, income level or family background.

Alcohol, cocaine, cannabis, prescription medicines, gambling, smoking, vaping and online compulsive behaviours can remain hidden for months or years.

A person may continue working, parenting and meeting some responsibilities while experiencing:

Escalating tolerance
Increasing debt
Withdrawal symptoms
Anxiety or depression
Poor sleep
Nutritional depletion
Relationship breakdown
Risky behaviour
Loss of control

The Health Research Board reported that cocaine was the most commonly reported main problem drug, excluding alcohol, among Irish treatment cases in 2025. It accounted for 42 per cent of cases and reached the highest recorded number to date.

Early help may reduce:

Overdose risk
Dangerous withdrawal
Medical complications
Financial loss
Employment difficulties
Relationship breakdown
Harm to children
Suicide risk
Long-term dependence

You do not have to reach a so-called rock bottom before your concerns are valid.

What Addiction Really Means

Addiction is commonly understood as a persistent or recurring disorder involving impaired control, craving and continuation despite harm.

Its course varies.

Some people experience repeated relapse. Others achieve sustained recovery. Some reduce harm before moving towards abstinence, while others require immediate medically supervised stopping.

Addiction may initially appear to solve a problem.

It may provide:

Relief from anxiety
Temporary confidence
Energy
Numbness
Sleep
Comfort
Excitement
Escape from painful thoughts
Social belonging
Relief from withdrawal
A temporary sense of control

The brain learns from relief as well as pleasure.

When a substance or behaviour quickly changes an uncomfortable state, the person may become increasingly likely to repeat it.

Over time, the person may no longer use mainly to feel good. They may use to stop feeling anxious, restless, low, sick, empty or physically unwell.

Habit, Dependence, Compulsion and Addiction

Term	Plain-English meaning
Habit	A behaviour that becomes automatic through repetition
Craving	A strong urge to use a substance or repeat a behaviour
Tolerance	Needing more to produce a similar effect
Physical dependence	The body has adapted and may develop withdrawal symptoms when use stops
Psychological dependence	Feeling unable to cope, sleep, work or socialise without the substance or behaviour
Compulsion	A powerful drive to act despite not genuinely wanting to
Addiction	Persistent impaired control and continuation despite significant harm
Withdrawal	Physical or psychological symptoms following reduction or stopping
Trigger	An internal or external cue associated with craving
Lapse	A brief return to a substance or behaviour
Relapse	A more sustained return following reduction or abstinence
Recovery	The continuing process of improving health, safety, control and quality of life

A person can become physically dependent on a prescribed medicine without displaying every feature of addiction.

A person with gambling disorder may experience profound loss of control without physical dependence on a substance.

Accurate assessment matters.

The Addiction Impact Check

This is not a diagnostic test. It is a structured way to notice whether a pattern deserves professional attention.

Ask yourself:

Do I regularly use more or continue for longer than I intended?
Have I repeatedly tried to reduce or stop but returned to the behaviour?
Do I spend substantial time planning, obtaining, using or recovering?
Do I hide, minimise or lie about what I am doing?
Has it affected my health, mood, sleep, work or education?
Has it damaged trust, intimacy or family life?
Do I use it to cope with anxiety, stress, grief, boredom or loneliness?
Do I need more to create a similar effect?
Do I feel physically or emotionally unwell when I stop?
Have I borrowed money, used household funds or concealed spending?
Have I driven, worked or cared for children while impaired?
Have I continued despite understanding that it is causing harm?
Has it become more important than people or activities I once valued?
Do I organise my life around access to it?
Am I frightened by how difficult it feels to stop?

One yes answer does not establish addiction.

Several recurring concerns, particularly loss of control, withdrawal, secrecy, danger or continuation despite serious harm, indicate that professional assessment is wise.

Unsure How Serious It Has Become?

A confidential consultation can help clarify:

What type of addiction pattern may be present
Whether medical care is required
What is maintaining the behaviour
Which treatment pathway is most appropriate

Book a free confidential 15-minute consultation.

What the Person May Really Be Seeking

The substance or behaviour matters, but so does the state change it produces.

A person may repeatedly seek:

Relief
Stimulation
Numbness
Confidence
Escape
Focus
Sleep
Comfort
Excitement
Connection
Temporary control

Over time, the brain may become strongly conditioned to associate a particular substance or behaviour with that desired change.

This helps explain why very different patterns can perform a similar emotional function.

Behaviour	State the person may be seeking
Alcohol	Relaxation, confidence, sleep or emotional numbness
Cocaine	Energy, social confidence, focus or escape from exhaustion
Cannabis	Reduced mental noise, sleep or sensory relief
Nicotine	A pause, concentration, stimulation or tension reduction
Gambling	Excitement, escape, hope or a sense of possibility
Pornography	Stimulation, distraction, comfort or relief from loneliness
Food or sugar	Soothing, reward, energy or emotional comfort
Gaming	Achievement, belonging, escape or predictable control
Shopping	Excitement, identity, distraction or temporary emotional lift

The goal is not only to remove the behaviour.

It is to understand what the person repeatedly expects it to change and develop safer ways to meet those needs.

The CONTROL Addiction Framework

At Claire Russell Therapy, addiction may be explored through seven connected clinical areas.

C: Clinical and Medical Safety

The first question is not always why the addiction developed.

The first question may need to be:

Is this person medically safe?

Assessment may consider:

Physical dependence
Withdrawal history
Overdose
Seizures
Hallucinations
Medication interactions
Pregnancy
Liver and heart health
Suicidal thoughts
Psychosis
Current intoxication
Capacity to care for children

Therapeutic work should never delay emergency or medical care.

O: Origins and Underlying Drivers

Possible contributors include:

Anxiety
Depression
ADHD
Autism spectrum needs
Trauma-related difficulties
Grief
Betrayal
Loneliness
Chronic pain
Burnout
Poor sleep
Low self-esteem
Social pressure
Relationship breakdown

Understanding the origin does not remove responsibility.

It allows treatment to address more than the visible behaviour.

N: Nervous System and Learned Responses

Repeated behaviour may create learned links between a trigger and anticipated relief.

Examples include:

Stress and alcohol
Driving and vaping
Payday and gambling
Loneliness and pornography
Exhaustion and sugar
Social anxiety and cocaine
Conflict and cannabis
Pain and prescription medicines

These responses may become rapid and automatic.

T: Triggers and Access

Recovery is harder when access remains immediate.

Triggers may include:

Cash
Credit cards
Gambling applications
Substance contacts
Alcohol in the house
Particular friends
Work events
Hotels
Being home alone
Late-night device use
Food-delivery applications
Routes past pubs or betting shops
Relationship conflict
Sleep deprivation

Treatment must address the real environment, not only intention.

R: Relationships and Responsibilities

Addiction may affect:

Partners
Children
Parents
Siblings
Employers
Finances
Housing
Parenting
Legal responsibilities

Recovery may require accountability, financial transparency, consistency and acceptance that trust may take time to rebuild.

O: Overall Physical Health

Assessment may consider:

Sleep
Nutrition
Protein and fibre intake
Blood sugar stability
Hydration
Gut function
Liver health
Hormonal symptoms
Inflammation
Pain
Medication
Metabolic health

Registered Nutritionist Services may form one part of a wider recovery plan.

L: Long-Term Relapse Prevention

Long-term change may include:

Recognising warning signs
Planning for difficult dates
Changing social routines
Managing money
Treating anxiety or depression
Improving sleep
Preparing for cravings
Building accountability
Reviewing lapses honestly
Preventing substitution with another addiction

How Addiction Affects Motivation, Stress and Self-Control

Addiction cannot be reduced to one chemical or one part of the brain.

It involves interacting systems responsible for:

Motivation
Reward learning
Stress
emotional alarm
memory
habits
planning
impulse control
decision-making

1. Reward, Motivation and Anticipation

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, meaning a chemical messenger used by the nervous system.

It is often described as a pleasure chemical, but its role is broader. Dopamine helps direct attention towards potentially important rewards and supports motivation, anticipation and learning.

Repeated substance use or highly stimulating behaviour may teach the brain that particular cues are extremely important.

The cue may be:

A pub
A vape
A betting application
A dealer’s number
A notification
A hotel room
A certain food-delivery application
Being paid
Being alone

A cue can activate anticipation before the person has made a conscious decision.

2. Stress and Emotional Alarm

Repeated use, intoxication and withdrawal can affect stress regulation.

The person may become:

More anxious
More irritable
Less tolerant of frustration
More emotionally reactive
Less able to sleep
More preoccupied with obtaining relief

As the pattern progresses, a person may use less for pleasure and more to stop feeling unwell.

3. Planning, Reflection and Inhibition

The prefrontal cortex is involved in planning, reflection, inhibition and consideration of longer-term consequences.

Craving, intoxication, withdrawal, sleep deprivation, ADHD and acute stress can temporarily weaken these abilities.

This does not remove personal responsibility.

It explains why knowledge of the consequences may not be sufficient to stop a powerful pattern.

Willpower alone is often unreliable because craving, stress, environmental cues and physical dependence may overwhelm a person’s ability to pause.

Recovery becomes more realistic when the person changes:

Access
Routines
Cue exposure
Coping responses
Social circumstances
Sleep
Clinical drivers

The Addiction Cycle

Diagram: How the Cycle Repeats

Stage	What happens
1. Trigger	Stress, money, loneliness, conflict, pain, tiredness or environmental cue
2. Permission-giving thought	“One will not matter” or “I need this”
3. Craving	Attention narrows and urgency increases
4. Behaviour	Drinking, using, betting, viewing, eating, smoking or shopping
5. Immediate state change	Relief, stimulation, numbness, comfort or excitement
6. Consequences	Shame, withdrawal, debt, anxiety, conflict or poor sleep
7. Promise to stop	Genuine intention without sufficient environmental or clinical change
8. New trigger	The cycle begins again

Visual Flow

Trigger

↓

Permission-giving thought

↓

Craving and body activation

↓

Substance use or behaviour

↓

Short-term relief or stimulation

↓

Physical, emotional, financial or relationship consequences

↓

Shame, regret and promise to stop

↓

Trigger returns

The cycle is not broken by shame.

It is interrupted by safety planning, environmental change, treatment of underlying drivers, realistic craving strategies and appropriate clinical care.

Stress, Burnout and the Search for Rapid Relief

Stress is a common trigger for both addictive behaviour and relapse.

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is one of the body’s central stress-response systems. Prolonged stress can affect sleep, appetite, emotional regulation, attention and sensitivity to threat.

In daily life, rapid state-change patterns may look like:

Alcohol to unwind
Cocaine to perform
Cannabis to quieten mental activity
Nicotine to create a pause or improve concentration
Sugar to manage exhaustion
Pornography to escape loneliness or pressure
Gambling to escape depression or financial anxiety
Sedatives to force sleep

The behaviour may become the person’s shortcut.

Unfortunately, the original stress often remains while the addiction creates additional stress through debt, withdrawal, secrecy, health symptoms and relationship conflict.

A complete plan therefore asks:

What creates the pressure?
What state is the person trying to change?
What happens after the immediate relief?
Which healthier responses are realistic?
Does burnout, ADHD, pain, anxiety or sleep loss need separate treatment?

Read about chronic stress, inflammation, hormones and health.

High-Functioning Addiction: When Life Looks Fine From the Outside

Many people experiencing addiction are professionals, parents, students, carers and business owners.

They may continue to work, pay some bills and maintain an outwardly stable life.

This does not mean the addiction is mild.

Possible Signs

Drinking heavily while continuing to work
Using cocaine to meet social or professional demands
Relying on stimulants during the day and sedatives at night
Hiding alcohol, vaping products or medication
Secret gambling or pornography use
Maintaining performance at the cost of sleep
Using different accounts to conceal spending
Experiencing anxiety, reflux, insomnia or low mood
Becoming emotionally absent at home
Believing the problem is not serious because employment continues
Repeatedly recovering over weekends or holidays
Needing increasing effort to appear well

Outward functioning can delay help.

The person may think:

“I still have my job.”
“My children are cared for.”
“I only use at weekends.”
“No one knows.”
“I am not like other addicts.”

The more useful question is:

How much effort, secrecy, physical discomfort and harm is required to maintain the appearance that everything is fine?

Why Addiction Develops

There is rarely one cause.

Possible Contributors

Genetic vulnerability
Early exposure
Repeated access
Anxiety
Depression
ADHD
Autism spectrum needs
Trauma-related difficulties
Grief
Chronic pain
Relationship betrayal
Burnout
Sleep disturbance
Social pressure
Loneliness
Financial strain
Learned family patterns
Easy online access
Nutritional depletion
Hormonal changes
Lack of meaningful structure

Risk factors do not make addiction inevitable.

A person does not need an obviously difficult childhood or major traumatic event to develop an addiction.

Repeated exposure, availability, relief and biology may be enough to create a powerful pattern.

Types of Addiction at a Glance

Pattern	Examples	Important risks	Possible first step
Alcohol	Daily drinking, binge drinking, drinking to sleep	Dangerous withdrawal, liver and accident risk	GP or addiction assessment
Stimulants	Cocaine, amphetamines, prescription stimulant misuse	Chest pain, psychosis, depression, debt	Medical and mental health assessment
Cannabis	Daily use, sleep dependence, anxiety	Impaired driving, paranoia, withdrawal	GP and therapeutic assessment
Opioids	Heroin, oxycodone, codeine, fentanyl	Respiratory depression and overdose	Specialist addiction medicine
Sedatives	Benzodiazepines and sleeping tablets	Dangerous withdrawal and medication interaction	Prescriber-led reduction
Party drugs	MDMA, ecstasy, ketamine, mixed substances	Heat illness, unknown dose, psychiatric effects	Medical review and harm assessment
Nicotine	Smoking, vaping, snus	Dependence, cardiovascular and respiratory harm	Behavioural and medical cessation care
Gambling	Betting, casinos, slots, trading-like gambling	Debt, family harm and suicide risk	Financial safeguards and assessment
Sexual compulsions	Pornography, paid sexual content, risky encounters	Betrayal, sexual-health and safeguarding concerns	Psychotherapy and risk assessment
Food-related compulsions	Binge eating, sugar seeking, secret eating	Metabolic, psychological and eating-disorder risk	Nutrition and psychological assessment
Digital compulsions	Gaming, scrolling, online shopping	Sleep, education, financial and relationship harm	Behavioural and mental health assessment

Alcohol Addiction and Problem Drinking

Alcohol-related difficulty exists on a spectrum.

You do not need to drink every day or in the morning for alcohol to be harming you.

What It May Look Like

Drinking more than intended
Weekend binge drinking
Drinking to sleep
Drinking alone
Hiding bottles
Blackouts
Memory gaps
Morning anxiety
Arguments
Missing work
Driving after drinking
Drinking while caring for children
Repeated unsuccessful attempts to reduce
Shaking or sweating when alcohol is delayed

Why Alcohol Becomes Difficult to Stop

Alcohol may become associated with:

Relaxation
Social confidence
Sleep
Reward
Relief from anxiety
Emotional numbness
Avoidance of withdrawal

Tolerance may develop. A person may eventually drink not to become intoxicated but to feel physically normal.

Immediate Risks

Accidents
Dangerous driving
Falls
Alcohol poisoning
Medication interactions
Liver damage
Pancreatitis
Heart problems
Severe withdrawal
Suicide risk
Harm during pregnancy

Can You Stop Suddenly?

Not always.

Heavy prolonged alcohol use can cause withdrawal involving:

Shaking
Sweating
Vomiting
Severe anxiety
Hallucinations
Seizures
Dangerous confusion
Delirium

Seek medical advice before abruptly stopping if you:

Drink heavily every day
Need alcohol in the morning
Shake or sweat when drinking is delayed
Have previously experienced seizures
Have hallucinated during withdrawal
Take benzodiazepines
Have serious liver, heart or neurological illness
Are pregnant
Live alone and may become medically unwell
Feel suicidal

NICE recommends that assisted alcohol withdrawal is assessed and delivered by appropriately competent healthcare professionals.

Treatment May Include

GP or specialist addiction assessment
Medically managed withdrawal
Prescribed medication
Counselling
Psychotherapy
Clinical Hypnotherapy as an adjunct
Relationship work
Registered Nutritionist Services
Relapse prevention
Medical monitoring

Cocaine and Stimulant Addiction

Cocaine addiction can affect people who continue working, parenting and socialising for a considerable period.

Visible collapse is not required for the pattern to be serious.

Warning Signs

Weekend use becoming more frequent
Using alone
Increasing spending
Borrowing money
Staying awake for long periods
Anxiety or paranoia
Nasal symptoms
Chest discomfort
Repeated promises to stop
Combining alcohol and cocaine
Work absence
Relationship secrecy
Irritability or depression after use

Why Cocaine Becomes Difficult to Stop

Cocaine may temporarily increase energy, confidence and alertness.

It may be used to:

Socialise
Work longer
Counter exhaustion
Reduce inhibition
Escape low mood
Increase sexual confidence
Continue drinking

The later crash may involve low mood, agitation, exhaustion, craving and anxiety.

Immediate Risks

Chest pain
Heart rhythm disturbance
Stroke
Seizure
Paranoia
Psychosis
Aggression
Suicide risk
Unknown contamination
Risky sexual behaviour
Debt

Chest pain, collapse, seizure, severe agitation or psychotic symptoms require urgent medical assessment.

Treatment May Include

Medical and mental health assessment
Trigger and access planning
Counselling or Psychotherapy
ADHD assessment where relevant
Sleep restoration
Nutrition and hydration care
Relationship work
Financial planning
Clinical Hypnotherapy for learned triggers where suitable

Cannabis Addiction and Dependence

Some people use cannabis without developing significant impairment. Others experience dependence and substantial mental, physical or social harm.

Warning Signs

Daily use
Needing cannabis to sleep
Irritability when stopping
Low motivation
Anxiety
Memory or concentration difficulties
Spending substantial money
Driving after use
Withdrawal from relationships
Persistent cough
Paranoia
Reduced educational or occupational functioning

Cannabis may be used to manage anxiety, sensory overload, boredom, insomnia or emotional distress.

Withdrawal may include:

Irritability
Poor sleep
Reduced appetite
Vivid dreams
Restlessness
Anxiety

Treatment may include GP or psychiatric assessment, Counselling, Psychotherapy, sleep care, ADHD or autism spectrum assessment, trigger planning and nutrition support.

Opioid, Heroin and Prescription Painkiller Addiction

Opioids include heroin, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, codeine and other pain medicines.

Warning Signs

Increasing prescribed doses
Obtaining medication from several sources
Taking medicines differently from the prescription
Using opioids for emotional as well as physical pain
Drowsiness
Constipation
Withdrawal symptoms
Secret use
Financial problems
Previous overdose

Immediate Risks

Opioids can suppress breathing.

Risk is especially high when combined with:

Alcohol
Benzodiazepines
Sleeping tablets
Pregabalin
Other sedating substances

Overdose risk may increase following abstinence because tolerance falls.

A dose previously used may become fatal following detoxification, hospitalisation, imprisonment or an attempt to stop.

Treatment may include specialist addiction medicine, overdose-prevention planning, naloxone access where appropriate, prescribed opioid treatment, GP monitoring, Counselling and nutrition or bowel support.

Clinical Hypnotherapy does not replace opioid treatment or overdose-prevention measures.

Benzodiazepine and Sleeping Tablet Dependence

Regular benzodiazepine or sleeping-tablet use may lead to physical dependence.

Warning Signs

Needing a higher dose
Taking medication longer than intended
Severe anxiety between doses
Memory difficulties
Daytime sedation
Combining medication with alcohol
Obtaining additional tablets
Fear of running out
Repeated failed attempts to stop

Do Not Stop Suddenly

Abrupt withdrawal may cause:

Severe anxiety
Insomnia
Sensory disturbances
Confusion
Agitation
Seizures

Speak with your prescriber or GP about a medically managed reduction.

Party Drugs, Ketamine, MDMA and Polysubstance Use

Party-drug use may involve:

MDMA or ecstasy
Ketamine
Amphetamines
Cocaine
Cannabis
Nitrous oxide
Unknown tablets or powders
Several substances used during one event

Polysubstance use means using more than one substance during the same occasion or period.

Risks May Include

Unknown dose or contamination
Dangerous overheating
Dehydration
Excessive water intake and electrolyte disturbance
Heart rhythm changes
Seizure
Panic
Psychosis
Accidents
Impaired consent
Sexual-health risk
Bladder damage associated with repeated ketamine use
Sedation when substances are mixed
Increased impulsivity and aggression

Combining alcohol and cocaine creates additional strain and may extend the period of use.

Combining sedatives may suppress breathing.

Occasional weekend use is not automatically low-risk.

Assessment should consider:

Quantity
Mixing
Loss of control
Recovery time
Mental health effects
Financial cost
Sexual or relationship consequences
Whether use is escalating

Smoking, Vaping, Snus and Nicotine Addiction

Nicotine dependence can be powerful.

Smoking, vaping or oral nicotine may become associated with:

Waking
Coffee
Driving
Work breaks
Meals
Alcohol
Socialising
Stress
Concentration
Boredom
Emotional regulation

Why Vaping Can Be Difficult to Stop

A vape may be used throughout the day with few natural stopping points.

Dependence may involve:

Nicotine
Hand-to-mouth movement
Breathing rhythm
Flavour
Visual cues
Repeated breaks
Social identity

Treatment may include:

Behavioural intervention
Nicotine replacement therapy
Prescribed medication where appropriate
GP or pharmacist advice
Trigger planning
Clinical Hypnotherapy
Sleep and stress care
Relapse prevention

Explore Clinical Hypnotherapy, Hypnosis and RTT.

Gambling Addiction and Gambling-Related Harm

Gambling may involve:

Sports betting
Online casinos
Horse racing
Slot machines
Poker
Bingo
Lottery products
In-game chance-based purchases
Financial speculation that functions like gambling

Warning Signs

Gambling more than intended
Chasing losses
Borrowing money
Secret accounts
Using rent or household money
Lying about spending
Gambling at work
Selling possessions
Taking loans
Agitation when unable to gamble
Gambling to escape low mood
Suicidal thoughts after losses

Why Gambling Becomes Difficult to Stop

Gambling combines:

Anticipation
Uncertainty
Rapid feedback
Intermittent reward
Near wins
Easy online access

The thought “I can win it back” can become particularly dangerous.

Immediate Financial Safeguards

Consider:

Removing gambling applications
Using bank gambling blocks
Restricting access to credit
Allowing a trusted person to monitor essential accounts
Self-exclusion
Cancelling promotional messages
Avoiding access to large sums
Disclosing urgent debt

NICE identifies gambling-related harm as a potentially dominant suicide-risk factor and recommends asking directly about suicidal thoughts and intent.

Call 112 or 999 where suicide risk is immediate.

Pornography and Compulsive Sexual Behaviour

Not all pornography use or sexual behaviour is an addiction.

Clinical concern increases when the pattern is difficult to control, escalating and continuing despite substantial harm.

Compulsive sexual behaviour may be a more clinically precise term for some presentations.

Warning Signs

Increasing time spent viewing pornography
Escalation towards more intense content
Repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop
Secret spending
Loss of sleep
Sexual behaviour used to regulate distress
Reduced interest in partnered intimacy
Sexual dysfunction
Risky encounters
Work impairment
Deception
Violation of agreed relationship boundaries

Possible Drivers

Anxiety
Loneliness
Shame
Trauma-related difficulties
Boredom
Low self-esteem
Relationship dissatisfaction
Sexual insecurity
Habit conditioning
Immediate digital access

Relationship Betrayal

Partners may experience hidden pornography use, sexual contact or spending as profound betrayal.

Possible effects include:

Hypervigilance
Anger
Intrusive thoughts
Sleep disruption
Reduced confidence
Sexual insecurity
Repeated checking
Difficulty trusting

Couples or Marriage Counselling may help where both people are safe and the person responsible is willing to become honest and accountable.

Joint therapy is not suitable where there is violence, coercion or intimidation.

Food, Sugar and Loss-of-Control Eating

The term food addiction remains scientifically debated because food is necessary for survival.

However, some people experience genuine craving, binge eating and loss of control around highly rewarding foods or sugar.

Their distress should not be dismissed because terminology is debated.

Warning Signs

Eating much more than intended
Feeling unable to stop
Eating rapidly
Eating without physical hunger
Secret eating
Hiding wrappers
Night eating
Restrictive diets followed by binges
Intense guilt
Ordering food despite health or financial consequences
Eating until physically uncomfortable

The Restriction and Binge Cycle

Strict rules

↓

Hunger, deprivation or stress

↓

Craving

↓

Loss-of-control eating

↓

Shame and guilt

↓

Promise to become stricter

↓

Renewed deprivation

↓

Another binge

Severe restriction may worsen the cycle.

Treatment may include:

Eating-disorder screening
Registered Nutritionist Services
Regular eating
Protein and fibre support
Blood sugar review
Gut assessment
Counselling or Psychotherapy
Clinical Hypnotherapy where appropriate
Sleep care
Work on emotional triggers

Explore Registered Nutritionist Services.

Gaming, Social Media, Shopping and Digital Compulsions

Digital platforms may use:

Notifications
Streaks
Variable rewards
Personalised content
Infinite scrolling
Social comparison
Limited-time offers
Instant purchasing
Chance-based rewards

Warning Signs

Repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop
Loss of sleep
Work or educational decline
Secret spending
Irritability when interrupted
Reduced activity
Withdrawal from relationships
Neglect of personal care
Using digital behaviour mainly to escape distress

Gaming disorder is recognised by the World Health Organization and involves impaired control, increasing priority given to gaming and continuation despite negative consequences, with significant functional impairment.

Frequent gaming, shopping or social-media use is not automatically a disorder.

The degree of impaired control and harm matters.

ADHD, Autism Spectrum Needs and Addiction

ADHD

ADHD may increase vulnerability through:

Impulsivity
Difficulty delaying reward
Boredom intolerance
Emotional dysregulation
Sleep disturbance
Planning difficulties
Novelty seeking
Inconsistent routines

A person may use nicotine, cocaine, cannabis, alcohol, food, gaming or gambling to alter attention, restlessness or mood.

Treating addiction without recognising ADHD may leave an important driver unaddressed.

Autism Spectrum Needs

Possible contributors may include:

Anxiety
Social isolation
Sensory overload
Reliance on predictable routines
Difficulty identifying internal emotional states
Intense interests
Repetitive coping behaviour

Therapy may need:

Clear structure
Direct language
Predictable appointments
Shorter explanations
Practical strategies
Sensory consideration

Trauma-Related Difficulties, Anxiety and Depression

Some people use substances or behaviours to reduce distress connected with:

Abuse
Neglect
Violence
Bereavement
Relationship betrayal
Separation
Medical trauma
Bullying
Workplace mistreatment
Chronic fear
Sudden loss

The behaviour may provide temporary relief while creating longer-term harm.

A responsible approach addresses:

The current addiction
Medical and safeguarding risks
The consequences
Emotional experiences that may maintain the pattern
Safer coping and regulation

Understanding the origin does not excuse violence, deception, neglect or financial harm.

Read about trauma-related difficulties and Clinical Hypnotherapy.

Read about anxiety and treatment options.

Anger, Irritability and Emotional Volatility

Addiction may not be the original source of anger.

However, intoxication, withdrawal, shame, poor sleep and reduced inhibition can make anger faster, stronger and more difficult to regulate.

Possible patterns include:

Alcohol-related disinhibition
Irritability during nicotine withdrawal
Agitation during cannabis withdrawal
Cocaine-related paranoia or aggression
Depressive irritability after stimulant use
Anger following gambling losses
Defensiveness when confronted
Rage when access is blocked
Emotional shutdown
Blaming partners or family members

Anger does not excuse:

Violence
Threats
Intimidation
Dangerous driving
Destruction of property
Coercive control
Harm to children

Immediate safety and appropriate specialist intervention come first where there is danger.

How Addiction Can Affect the Whole Body

Addiction does not remain confined to thoughts or behaviour.

Its effects vary according to the substance, duration, quantity, health history, nutrition, sleep and whether substances are combined.

System	Possible effects	Why assessment matters
Brain and mood	Anxiety, depression, irritability, cognitive fog, poor concentration	Mental health concerns may require separate treatment
Sleep	Insomnia, fragmented sleep, early waking, exhaustion	Poor sleep can weaken impulse control and increase craving
Gut and digestion	Reflux, nausea, bloating, constipation, diarrhoea	Symptoms may affect nutrition, sleep and resilience
Blood sugar	Shakiness, fatigue, irritability, cravings	Long gaps without food can resemble or intensify craving
Liver	Fat accumulation, inflammation or impaired function	Alcohol and medication use may require medical monitoring
Heart and circulation	Blood-pressure changes, rhythm disturbance, chest pain	Stimulants and nicotine may create urgent risk
Hormonal health	Reduced libido, menstrual changes, erectile difficulty	Stress, substances, sleep and nutrition may interact
Fertility	Possible effects on sperm, ovulation and treatment adherence	Reproductive-health assessment may be appropriate
Immune and inflammatory health	Poor sleep, smoking, alcohol and stress may affect symptoms	Existing medical conditions still need standard care
Pain	Increased sensitivity, medication dependence or reduced activity	Pain and addiction may require coordinated management
Oral health	Dry mouth, decay, gum problems or grinding	Dental care may be needed
Nutrition	Deficiencies, weight loss, weight gain or dehydration	A Registered Nutritionist can assess dietary risk

Gut Health, Blood Sugar and Nutrition in Addiction Recovery

Nutrition does not replace addiction treatment.

It may improve physical stability and address complications that make change more difficult.

What May Be Assessed

Meal frequency
Protein intake
Fibre
Hydration
Blood sugar stability
Appetite
Weight changes
Constipation
Diarrhoea
Reflux
Bloating
Liver-health concerns
Nutrient intake
Metabolic health
Inflammatory symptoms
Sleep
Medication and supplement safety

Common Nutritional Concerns

Depending on the substance or behaviour, concerns may include:

Thiamine deficiency
Folate or vitamin B12 insufficiency
Low protein intake
Low fibre
Electrolyte disturbance
Iron insufficiency
Low vitamin D
Omega-3 insufficiency
Magnesium insufficiency
Dehydration
Unstable blood sugar

Alcohol and Thiamine

Thiamine is vitamin B1.

Severe deficiency associated with heavy alcohol use can damage the brain and nervous system.

Urgent medical assessment is needed for:

Confusion
Unsteady walking
Unusual eye movements
Marked memory changes

Food and routine supplements are not sufficient treatment for suspected severe deficiency.

The Gut-Brain Axis

The gut-brain axis is the two-way communication network between the digestive and nervous systems.

Stress can affect digestion. Digestive discomfort may worsen anxiety, sleep and emotional resilience.

Nutrition support may be relevant when recovery overlaps with:

IBS-type symptoms
Constipation
Reflux
Bloating
Diarrhoea
Irregular appetite
Coeliac disease
Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriasis
Hormonal difficulties
Metabolic health concerns

Addiction does not automatically cause these conditions.

Alcohol, smoking, poor sleep, nutritional depletion, medication interactions and chronic stress may affect symptoms, adherence and overall health.

A responsible Functional Medicine-informed approach should not claim that addiction is caused by one toxin, parasite, food or nutrient deficiency.

It should work alongside appropriate medical and psychological care.

Addiction, Hormonal Health, Sexual Function and Fertility

Substances and chronic stress may influence hormonal and reproductive health in different ways.

Possible concerns include:

Reduced libido
Erectile difficulties
Menstrual irregularity
Reduced sexual confidence
Poor sleep
Fatigue
Changes in testosterone or reproductive signalling
Reduced sperm quality
Effects on ovulation
Risky sexual behaviour
Missed fertility appointments
Medication interactions
Substance exposure during pregnancy

The effect varies according to the substance, dose, duration, age and overall health.

Anyone experiencing fertility difficulty, pregnancy, sexual-health symptoms or hormonal changes should seek appropriate GP, reproductive-health or specialist medical advice.

Registered Nutritionist Services may help with dietary adequacy, metabolic health and nutritional concerns but do not replace fertility or endocrine assessment.

How Clinical Hypnotherapy May Help Addiction

Clinical Hypnotherapy uses focused attention, therapeutic imagery and structured suggestion to help a person work with learned responses.

It is not stage hypnosis.

You remain aware and cannot be made to act against your wishes.

Possible Applications

Clinical Hypnotherapy may help selected clients with:

Craving management
Smoking routines
Vaping habits
Trigger rehearsal
Anxiety during change
Confidence in social situations
Automatic responses
Identity and self-belief
Sleep preparation
Relapse prevention

Evidence and Clinical Position

Application	Responsible clinical position
Smoking cessation	May help some people, but results vary
Cravings and trigger rehearsal	May provide a useful adjunct to wider care
Anxiety and sleep	May help selected clients where medically appropriate
Alcohol or drug dependence	Does not replace medical withdrawal or specialist treatment
Gambling	May help habit interruption and emotional regulation, but direct evidence is more limited
Sexual compulsions	May help with learned triggers within a wider therapeutic plan
Gut-brain symptoms	Evidence is stronger for certain functional digestive conditions than addiction itself

Suitability is assessed rather than assumed.

What Clinical Hypnotherapy Cannot Replace

It does not replace:

Emergency treatment
Alcohol withdrawal management
Benzodiazepine reduction
Opioid treatment
Overdose prevention
Psychiatric care
Safeguarding
Prescribed medication
Specialist eating-disorder treatment

Learn more about Clinical Hypnotherapy, its history, science and clinical applications.

Counselling, Psychotherapy and RTT for Addiction

Counselling and Psychotherapy

Counselling and Psychotherapy may help you understand:

What triggers the behaviour
What emotional need it temporarily meets
How permission-giving thoughts develop
Why previous attempts have failed
How shame maintains secrecy
What boundaries are needed
How relationships have been affected
What relapse warning signs look like
What life without the addiction needs to contain

Therapeutic work may address:

Anxiety
Depression
Grief
Anger
Trauma-related difficulties
Betrayal
Self-esteem
Emotional regulation
Communication
Impulse control
Identity
Relationship patterns

Learn about Counselling and Psychotherapy.

RTT and Addiction

RTT is an intensive approach that may explore learned beliefs and emotionally significant associations connected with current behaviour.

It may be considered where appropriate following assessment.

RTT is not a replacement for:

Medical withdrawal
Specialist addiction medicine
Emergency intervention
Psychiatric treatment
Safeguarding

The person’s medical risk, stability and ability to engage safely must be considered first.

How the Services May Work Together

Service	Possible role	Important limitation
Counselling	Motivation, coping, boundaries and practical change	May need medical care alongside it
Psychotherapy	Emotional drivers, recurring patterns and relapse vulnerability	Does not manage physical withdrawal
Clinical Hypnotherapy	Automatic habits, triggers, smoking and vaping routines	Evidence varies by addiction
Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy	Stress-related physical symptoms and gut-brain complaints	Physical symptoms still need investigation
RTT	Learned beliefs and emotional associations where suitable	Requires suitability assessment
Registered Nutritionist Services	Appetite, nutrition, gut symptoms, blood sugar and metabolic health	Does not replace addiction medicine
Couples Counselling	Trust, disclosure, communication and boundaries	Not suitable where there is violence or coercion

Couples and Marriage Counselling After Addiction

Addiction can profoundly affect trust.

Partners may be coping with:

Lies
Financial loss
Sexual betrayal
Emotional absence
Repeated promises
Unsafe driving
Hidden accounts
Parenting inconsistency
Fear of relapse

Couples or Marriage Counselling may help with:

Honest disclosure
Boundaries
Financial transparency
Communication
Parenting
Accountability
Rebuilding intimacy
Relapse planning
Decisions about the future

Understanding addiction does not require a partner to accept ongoing harm.

Joint work is not suitable where there is violence, coercive control, threats or intimidation.

Individual safety comes first.

What to Do When Someone You Love Has an Addiction

You may feel compassion, anger, fear, grief and exhaustion at the same time.

Protect Immediate Safety

Do not:

Travel with an impaired driver
Leave children with an unsafe intoxicated adult
Ignore overdose symptoms
Confront someone aggressively while they are intoxicated
Place yourself in danger by searching for substances
Attempt to manage severe withdrawal at home without advice

Protect Household Finances

Consider:

Separating essential household money
Changing passwords
Reducing access to credit
Reviewing joint accounts
Checking unknown loans
Securing important documents
Seeking financial or legal advice

Stop Covering Up Dangerous Behaviour

You do not have to:

Lie to employers
Repay concealed gambling losses repeatedly
Explain away intoxication
Hide unsafe parenting
Provide money that may fund substances or gambling
Accept threats or aggression

Speak Clearly

Choose a time when the person is not intoxicated.

Use specific observations:

“You spent the household money on gambling.”

“You drove after drinking.”

“The children were frightened.”

“I will not provide money for substances.”

A boundary describes what you will do.

It is not a threat you cannot safely enforce.

Seek Help for Yourself

Partners and family members may benefit from Counselling or Psychotherapy even if the person with the addiction refuses treatment.

You cannot force another adult to recover.

You can protect children, safeguard finances, stop participating in secrecy and seek guidance.

Contact Claire Russell Therapy.

Children, Teenagers and Hidden Harm

Children may be deeply affected by parental alcohol, drug, gambling or other addiction.

They may become:

Watchful
Anxious
Secretive
Overly responsible
Afraid to bring friends home
Concerned about money
Protective of siblings
Worried about a parent dying
Confused by unpredictable behaviour

Some children blame themselves.

Protecting children must take priority over protecting the addiction’s secrecy.

Professional or statutory involvement may be necessary where there is:

Neglect
Dangerous driving
Violence
Unsafe drug storage
Exposure to criminal activity
Inability to provide food or supervision
Repeated intoxication while caring for children
Threats
Serious financial deprivation

The Five-Minute Craving Plan

A craving may feel urgent, but it is not always an instruction that must be followed.

1. Name It

Say:

“This is a craving. It will change.”

2. Delay

Wait ten minutes before acting.

3. Change Location

Move away from the pub, shop, application, device, kitchen, cash machine, person or room associated with the urge.

4. Check the Body

Ask:

Am I hungry?
Am I dehydrated?
Am I exhausted?
Am I in pain?
Am I experiencing withdrawal?
Do I need medical help?

5. Contact Someone

Contact a trusted person, clinician, GP, addiction service or emergency service according to risk.

6. Record the Trigger

Write down:

What happened
What you felt
What you thought
What state you wanted to change
What safer response you used

This plan is not adequate for severe withdrawal, overdose risk or immediate suicide danger.

The First 72 Hours of Change

Before making a major change, ask:

Could withdrawal be dangerous?
Have I experienced seizures or hallucinations?
Am I combining substances?
Do I need a GP or medical addiction service?
Does someone know what is happening?
Is there an overdose risk if I return to use?
Are children depending on me?
Am I suicidal or unsafe?
Do I need financial safeguards?
What access remains immediately available?

Where medically safe, consider:

Removing substances or vaping supplies
Deleting gambling applications
Blocking gambling transactions
Changing routes
Blocking high-risk contacts
Planning regular meals
Prioritising sleep
Reducing isolation
Booking professional care
Preparing for cravings

Motivation matters.

Preparation is safer.

Relapse Warning Signs and Prevention

Relapse does not mean recovery is impossible.

It may show that:

Withdrawal was not managed
Access remained too easy
Sleep deteriorated
Stress increased
The person became isolated
Treatment ended too soon
Anxiety or depression remained untreated
ADHD was overlooked
Relationship conflict increased
One addiction replaced another

Early Warning Signs

Romanticising previous use
Contacting old associates
Keeping cash available
Reinstalling applications
Hiding thoughts
Skipping appointments
Poor sleep
Resentment
Isolation
Missing meals
Increased conflict
Believing “I am cured”
Testing yourself around triggers
Replacing one compulsion with another

What to Do After a Lapse

Check medical safety
Assess overdose risk
Do not drive
Protect children
Remove access
Tell an appropriate person
Review what happened
Re-engage with treatment
Avoid using one lapse as permission for unrestricted behaviour

Tolerance may fall during abstinence.

Returning to a previous dose of opioids, alcohol or sedatives may be dangerous.

Which Treatment Pathway Fits Your Situation?

Addiction Care Pathway Diagram

Immediate danger or overdose

↓

Call 112 or 999

Possible physical dependence or dangerous withdrawal

↓

GP, emergency department or specialist addiction medical service

Cravings, emotional drivers and automatic habits

↓

Counselling, Psychotherapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy where suitable

Nutrition, gut symptoms and metabolic concerns

↓

GP assessment and Registered Nutritionist Services

Relationship betrayal and family effects

↓

Individual, Couples or Marriage Counselling where safe

Long-term maintenance

↓

Relapse prevention, sleep, nutrition, structure and ongoing review

Treatment Pathway Table

Situation	Appropriate first pathway
Suspected overdose or seizure	Call 112 or 999
Dangerous alcohol withdrawal risk	GP, emergency department or addiction medical service
Regular benzodiazepine use	Prescriber or GP-directed reduction
Opioid dependence	Specialist addiction medical care
Cocaine use with chest pain or psychosis	Emergency assessment
Gambling with suicide risk	Urgent mental health assessment and financial safeguards
Smoking or vaping	Behavioural care, GP or pharmacist advice and Clinical Hypnotherapy where suitable
Cravings and automatic habits	Counselling, Psychotherapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy
Anxiety, grief or trauma-related drivers	Counselling or Psychotherapy
Food, sugar or binge patterns	Registered Nutritionist Services and Psychotherapy
Gut symptoms or nutritional depletion	GP assessment and Registered Nutritionist Services
Relationship betrayal	Individual or couples work where safe
Family affected by addiction	Individual Counselling, safety and boundary planning

What Happens at a First Consultation?

A first consultation may explore:

The substance or behaviour involved
Frequency and duration
Quantity or spending
Loss of control
Previous attempts to stop
Withdrawal symptoms
Overdose history
Current medication
Physical health
Sleep
Gut symptoms
Food intake
Anxiety or depression
ADHD or autism spectrum needs
Trauma-related difficulties
Suicidal thoughts
Relationship impact
Financial harm
Parenting and safeguarding
Employment
Readiness for change
Referral needs

The purpose is not to judge you.

It is to understand the full picture and decide what help is appropriate and safe.

Addiction Help in Ireland and ONLINE

Claire Russell Therapy provides addiction-related therapeutic and Registered Nutritionist Services ONLINE throughout Ireland and internationally.

In-person appointments are available in:

Adare
Newcastle West
Limerick
Abbeyfeale
Charleville
Kanturk
Midleton
Youghal
Cork
Dublin
Lismore
Dungarvan

Addiction Help in Limerick

Appointments are available for clients in Limerick, Adare, Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale.

Care may address alcohol, cocaine, gambling, smoking, vaping, food-related compulsions, anxiety, relationship breakdown, gut symptoms, sleep and relapse prevention.

Addiction Help in Cork

Appointments are available in Cork, Midleton, Youghal, East Cork and Kanturk.

ONLINE appointments are also available where travel, privacy, work or family commitments make in-person care difficult.

Addiction Help in Dublin

ONLINE and listed in-person appointments are available for people in Dublin experiencing substance addiction, gambling-related harm, smoking, vaping, compulsive sexual behaviour or family distress.

Addiction Help in Waterford and Surrounding Areas

Appointments are available in Dungarvan and Lismore, with ONLINE services throughout Waterford and Ireland.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Do I Know Whether I Have an Addiction?

Warning signs include impaired control, repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop, craving, secrecy, tolerance, withdrawal and continuation despite harm.

2. Can I Stop Drinking Suddenly?

Not always.

Heavy daily use or previous withdrawal symptoms require medical advice because sudden withdrawal can cause seizures, hallucinations and dangerous confusion.

3. Can Stress or Trauma-Related Difficulties Contribute?

Yes, for some people.

Substances or behaviours may be used to reduce fear, numb distress or escape difficult thoughts. Addiction is usually multifactorial rather than caused by one experience.

4. Can ADHD Contribute to Addiction?

Yes.

Impulsivity, boredom intolerance, sleep difficulties and a strong preference for immediate reward may increase vulnerability.

5. Can Clinical Hypnotherapy Help Addiction?

It may help selected clients with automatic habits, triggers, anxiety and relapse preparation.

It does not replace medical or specialist addiction care.

6. What Is the Difference Between Dependence and Addiction?

Dependence refers to physical adaptation and withdrawal.

Addiction includes impaired control and continuation despite harm. A person may experience either or both.

7. Why Do People Relapse?

Relapse may follow stress, access, social pressure, withdrawal, poor sleep, anxiety, depression, ADHD or overconfidence.

8. Can Partners and Family Members Receive Help?

Yes.

Family members can receive Counselling, Psychotherapy, boundary guidance and relationship care even when the person experiencing addiction refuses treatment.

9. Can Nutrition Affect Cravings?

Regular meals, adequate protein, fibre, hydration and improved sleep may reduce hunger-driven urges and energy instability.

Nutrition is an adjunct rather than a replacement for addiction treatment.

10. Can Addiction Affect Hormones or Fertility?

Some substances, chronic stress, poor sleep and nutritional problems may affect reproductive health, sexual function and fertility. Medical assessment may be needed.

11. Can Someone Have an Addiction and Still Function Well?

Yes.

Employment, parenting or outward success does not rule out addiction. Secrecy, withdrawal, escalating use and relationship harm may remain hidden.

12. Do You Offer ONLINE Addiction Help in Ireland?

Yes.

ONLINE appointments are available throughout Ireland and internationally, with in-person appointments across multiple Irish locations.

Book a Confidential Addiction Consultation

You may have tried to stop many times.

That does not mean you are incapable of change.

It may mean that previous attempts did not adequately address:

Physical dependence
Cravings
Emotional triggers
Access
Sleep
ADHD
Trauma-related difficulties
Relationship conflict
Nutrition
Gut symptoms
Relapse warning signs

A confidential consultation can help clarify:

What type of pattern may be present
Whether medical care is needed first
What triggers and maintains it
Whether anxiety, depression, ADHD or trauma-related difficulties are involved
Whether sleep, gut symptoms or nutrition are affecting resilience
Which services may be suitable
What immediate safeguards are required
How partners or family members can be helped
What a realistic plan could involve

Book a Consultation Now

ONLINE throughout Ireland and internationally

In person in Adare, Newcastle West, Limerick, Abbeyfeale, Charleville, Kanturk, Midleton, Youghal, Cork, Dublin, Lismore and Dungarvan

Services

Counselling
Psychotherapy
Couples Counselling
Marriage Counselling
Clinical Hypnotherapy
Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy and Hypnosis
RTT
Registered Nutritionist Services
Functional Medicine-informed nutrition

Book your free confidential 15-minute consultation

Contact Claire Russell Therapy

Telephone: 087 616 6638

Email: clairerusselltherapy@gmail.com

Where medical withdrawal, emergency intervention or specialist addiction care is required, you will be advised to access the appropriate service rather than relying on therapy alone.

Urgent and Specialist Help

Call 112 or 999 for immediate danger, suspected overdose, abnormal breathing, seizure, severe confusion, psychosis, violence or immediate suicide risk.

HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline

Freephone: 1800 459 459
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm
https://www2.hse.ie/services/habit-addiction/drugs-and-alcohol-helpline/

Gambling Awareness Trust National Helpline

Freephone: 1800 936 725
Availability: 24 hours a day

About the Author

Claire Russell

Claire Russell is a Registered Nutritionist, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapist, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Counsellor, Psychotherapist, RTT Practitioner and qualified Advanced Rapid Transformational Therapist.

She has more than 20 years of clinical experience across Ireland, the UK and Europe.

Claire works with adults, teenagers and children, as well as couples and family members affected by addiction.

Her work includes:

Alcohol addiction
Drug and cocaine addiction
Smoking and vaping
Gambling
Pornography and compulsive sexual behaviour
Food and sugar-related compulsions
Anxiety and depression
ADHD
Autism spectrum needs
Trauma-related difficulties
PTSD and complex PTSD
Relationship betrayal
Gut-brain symptoms
IBS, reflux and bloating
SIBO
Chronic inflammation
Autoimmune symptoms
Sleep disturbance
Metabolic health
Hormonal concerns
Fertility
Chronic pain
Grief and loss

Claire’s approach combines appropriate psychological, behavioural, relational and nutritional perspectives while recognising the essential role of GP, addiction medicine, psychiatric and emergency care where required.

How This Article Was Prepared

This article was written and clinically reviewed by Claire Russell.

Evidence was reviewed from:

Health Service Executive
Health Research Board
Department of Health
Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland
World Health Organization
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Peer-reviewed addiction and behavioural-health literature

Last clinical review: July 2026

Next planned review: July 2027, or sooner if significant guidance changes.

Educational and Safety Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only.

It does not replace medical assessment, diagnosis, prescribed treatment, emergency intervention, specialist addiction medicine, psychiatric care or safeguarding services.

Do not abruptly stop heavy alcohol use, benzodiazepines or other substances associated with potentially dangerous withdrawal without appropriate medical advice.

Call 112 or 999 if someone is unconscious, breathing abnormally, experiencing a seizure, severely confused, hallucinating, suicidal, violent or suspected of having overdosed.

Clinical Hypnotherapy, Clinical Medical Hypnotherapy, Counselling, Psychotherapy, RTT and Registered Nutritionist Services must be used within an appropriately assessed plan.

Academic and Clinical References

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