Condition guide
Addiction and Substance Use
Addiction involves a pattern of substance use (or, in some cases, a behaviour like gambling) that a person struggles to control despite negative consequences to their health, relationships, or life. It’s a recognised health condition, not a matter of willpower or moral failing, and effective treatment is available.
This page focuses on recognising when substance use has become a concern and how psychological support can help, rather than providing specific guidance about substance use itself.
Recognising it
What does a substance use concern look like?
Signs of problematic use
- Using a substance more often or in greater amounts than intended
- Difficulty cutting down or stopping, despite wanting to
- Substance use taking up significant time, or interfering with work, relationships, or responsibilities
- Continuing use despite it causing problems in your life
Physical & coping patterns
- Needing more of a substance to get the same effect over time
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using
- Using a substance to cope with difficult emotions, stress, or other mental health symptoms
Addiction exists on a spectrum, from problematic use that hasn’t yet caused major consequences, through to more severe dependence — and support can be valuable at any point on that spectrum, not just once things feel unmanageable.
Understanding why
What contributes to addiction?
There's rarely a single cause — it tends to develop from a combination of factors.
- Biological factors
- Genetics and individual differences in how substances affect the brain’s reward system.
- Mental health
- Addiction frequently co-occurs with anxiety, depression, trauma, or other conditions, often as an attempt to cope with difficult emotions.
- Social & environmental factors
- Availability, social norms around use, and social or family environment.
- Life experiences
- Stress, trauma, or significant life disruption can increase vulnerability.
- Learned patterns
- Repeated use as a coping strategy can become deeply reinforced over time, independent of a person’s other circumstances.
Addiction typically develops from a combination of these factors, and understanding the underlying contributors is often an important part of effective treatment.
Getting better
How is addiction treated?
Psychological therapy
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing are both well-established approaches for addressing substance use and building sustainable change.
Addressing underlying mental health
Since addiction frequently co-occurs with other conditions, treatment often addresses both together rather than treating substance use in isolation.
Medical support
For some substances and levels of use, safe withdrawal requires medical supervision; a GP or specialist drug and alcohol service can advise on this.
Relapse prevention
Building strategies and supports for maintaining change over the longer term.
Peer & community support
Many people find structured support groups or peer communities a valuable complement to individual therapy.
Treatment is generally most effective when it’s tailored to the individual, since people’s relationship with substance use and their reasons for it vary significantly.
Next step
When should I seek support?
You don’t need to have hit a crisis point to reach out. It’s worth seeking support if:
- You’re using a substance more than you intend to, or finding it hard to cut down
- Substance use is affecting your relationships, work, health, or finances
- You’re using a substance to cope with difficult emotions and want a different approach
- You’re worried about a family member or friend and aren’t sure how to help
- You’re concerned about safely reducing or stopping use — a GP or the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline can advise on this safely
For confidential alcohol and other drug support and advice, in addition to the crisis contacts at the top of this page:
- National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline 1800 250 015 — Free, confidential advice and support, available 24/7.
A GP can help you access a Mental Health Care Plan under Medicare's Better Access initiative, which provides rebates for a set number of psychology sessions per year.
How Pair helps
Matched with someone who's the right fit — not just available
Pair matches you with an AHPRA-registered psychologist based on your specific situation. Our matching process considers clinical fit, practical factors like session format and cost, and — optionally — identity-based preferences.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is addiction a choice or a lack of willpower?
No. Addiction is a recognised health condition involving genuine changes in the brain’s reward and stress systems, alongside psychological and social factors. It’s not a matter of moral failing or simply “choosing” to stop.
Do I need to have a “rock bottom” moment before seeking help?
No. Support is valuable at any stage, and earlier intervention is generally easier and more effective than waiting until things feel unmanageable.
Can I stop using a substance safely on my own?
This depends significantly on the substance and level of use — for some substances, sudden withdrawal can be medically risky. It’s important to speak with a GP or a specialist drug and alcohol service before making significant changes, particularly with alcohol or certain other substances.
Is addiction treatment confidential?
Yes, psychological support for addiction is confidential in the same way as any other therapy, within the standard limits that apply to all psychological care (such as risk of serious harm).
What if I’m not sure whether my substance use is actually a problem?
That uncertainty is a completely reasonable place to start from. A psychologist, GP, or the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline can help you think through your situation without needing you to have already decided there’s a problem.
Do I need a GP referral to see a psychologist about substance use?
No — you can see a psychologist directly. A GP referral is only required if you want to access a Medicare rebate through a Mental Health Care Plan, though involving a GP is often valuable for any medical aspects of reducing substance use.
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