Therapy for Addictions & Substance Use Disorders
Addiction and substance misuse can affect people in different ways, whether through alcohol, drugs, compulsive behaviours, or the impact addiction has on family life. The sections below explore different areas of support and how therapy may help.
Sometimes the things we turn to for comfort, escape, control, or relief slowly begin to take up more space in our lives than we ever intended. Use these links for alcohol therapy | drug problems​ | help for young people | family support
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Take back control. Book your free consultation.
Alcohol Addiction Counselling
For some people, alcohol gradually becomes a way of coping with stress, pressure, emotions, or everyday life. Over time, drinking can begin to feel difficult to manage and start affecting relationships, work, confidence, or wellbeing. Therapy can help you understand the patterns involved and begin regaining a greater sense of control.
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Substance Misuse Therapy
Drug use and substance misuse can affect people in very different ways. Sometimes it develops gradually as a way of coping, escaping, or switching off. Therapy offers space to understand what may sit underneath the behaviour and begin working towards healthier ways of coping and managing life.
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Addiction Support for Family
Living alongside someone else’s addiction can be exhausting, confusing, and emotionally draining. Family members often find themselves carrying stress, worry, frustration, or a sense of responsibility for things they cannot control. Therapy can help you make sense of what is happening and think about your own wellbeing too.
Young People & Drug Use
Drug and alcohol use in young people can leave parents and carers feeling worried, powerless, or unsure how best to respond. Therapy can provide support in understanding what may be happening, improving communication, and helping families navigate difficult situations more confidently.
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Practicalities: How Sessions Work
I'm Derek Flint, I'm an experienced addictions therapist & counsellor. I have been helping people overcome addiction for over a decade. I have lived experience of addiction & the benefits of recovery which shapes how I work. You don’t need to explain everything from scratch or feel judged - we start from where you are & where you want to get to. Find out more about me here...
Sessions can be in person, online, or a combination & don't have to be weekly to be meaningful. I can work flexibly around you.
Some people work short term with a specific focus. Others choose longer-term support. We decide this together and review it as session progress and change take place.
Private Counselling & Addiction Therapy in Kent & Online across the UK
What is Addiction?
Sometimes what starts as a way to cope can gradually take up more space than intended. Whether it’s alcohol addiction, drugs, sexual behaviours, gambling, spending, work or something else, it can shift from helping in the moment to feeling hard to stop.
If you are wondering about sex or porn use being a problem, there is a confidential compulsive sexual activity self-assessment here and a similar problem porn use self-assessment here.
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Often it’s less about the behaviour itself, and more about what it’s helping you manage underneath
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What begins as relief can become automatic, followed by guilt, frustration, or feeling stuck
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You might want to cut back or stop, but find yourself repeating the same patterns
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Many people feel unsure whether it’s “serious enough” or something they should just control
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Shame and confusion are common, especially when you can see the impact but feel drawn back
The focus isn’t on labels, but on understanding what’s going on and finding a way forward that works for you. Change is possible, and it doesn’t have to stay this way.
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I work with individuals, young people, and partners affected by addiction and compulsive behaviours. Some want to stop completely, others want to regain control or understand their patterns. We don’t start with a fixed goal, we work it out together.
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Take back control. Book a free consultation.
Common Questions About Addiction
Is this addiction or just a coping mechanism?​
Sometimes the line isn’t clear at first. Many people use substances or behaviours to cope with stress, emotions, or difficult experiences. Therapy can help you understand whether something has become a pattern that’s hard to control and what impact it’s having on your life.
Can counselling help with alcohol or drug use?​​
Yes. Counselling can help you look honestly at your alcohol or drug use, understand what is driving it, and begin to make changes that feel realistic and manageable.
Can therapy help with compulsive behaviours as well as substances?​
Yes. Therapy can support with compulsive behaviours such as gambling, spending, porn use, sex, or other patterns that feel difficult to control, as well as alcohol and substance use.
Do I need to be ready to stop before starting therapy?​
No. You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting. Some people want to stop completely, while others want to reduce or regain control. Therapy can help you work out what feels right for you.​
Take the First Step
You don’t need to be sure you’re an addict, ready to quit, or clear about what you want before reaching out. Many people start therapy simply because something doesn’t feel right anymore.
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There are two self-assessment forms to complete if you are wondering about your sexual activity or problem porn use. They may help you decide what you want to do next. You can read more about porn addiction counselling here
or sex addiction therapy here.​ Click here if you are looking for help with findom.​
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If you want to stop compulsive behavior, quit drugs or beat alcohol addiction, get in touch.
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If you’re affected by addiction or compulsive behaviour, either personally or as a partner or family member, support is available. We can start with a conversation and take it from there.
What Brings You Here?
You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Choose what you feel matches best and we can take it from there.
 Support with problem porn use or sexual activity Helping overcome unwanted behaviour |  Stress, anxiety & low mood Therapy for mental health & wellbeing |  Problem Drug Use & Addiction Overcoming substance use |
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 Supporting change in sexual activity Therapy for Sex Addiction |  Alcohol and Substance Use Support for addiction, alcohol and drug misue |  Support changing financial domination Findom Therapy |
A note on safety and urgent support
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If substance use or behaviour is putting your physical safety at risk, urgent medical or emergency support may be needed alongside therapy. I can also help you explore additional services, including residential rehab, community support, or specialist services where appropriate.
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Therapy doesn’t have to be the only support you use, and you don’t have to navigate these decisions alone.
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I use words like addiction and addict here because that’s what many people search for when they’re looking for help. In practice, we can use whatever language feels right for you. It isn't about the label but about getting you to a place you feel happy with.