Do I need a psychologist for recovery? Here’s a 6 point checklist
Many clients and concerned loved ones often raise the question if they need a psychologist in order for someone to recover from addiction. There are loads of great resources, self-help books and meetings that can help recovery. For those feeling that they are becoming addicted to gaming, porn or gambling: There’s great potential to self-start your recovery, especially when your habits and thoughts patterns are not yet engrained. So it’s natural to have the question is “Do I need a psychologist to help me overcome addiction?”
It’s a great question. The answer is a mix of yes and no, and obviously depends on uniquely on you. There’s also the difference between the technical and the practical answers to that question. If you ask yourself, “Do I need a mechanic to fix my engine?” there’s a technical answer (no) and a practical answer (yes). Sometimes it is helpful to reframe the question as…
“Will my recovery benefit from a psychologist?”
First, the reality: to recover from any addiction (for e.g. gaming addiction, porn addiction, problem gambling or drug addiction) you’ll have to do all the hard work and practice, not your psychologist. There’s no replacement for your own effort.
Personally, If I had to weigh up the pros and cons of using a therapist for addictions, I’d consider the following 6 point checklist:
Have you tried repeatedly to “quit” your addiction but have often failed?
Have you recovered from your addiction but have relapsed multiple times?
Do you lack support from family and friends?
Do you have difficulty motivating yourself to learn and troubleshoot the mental skills of recovery?
Do you have other life challenges that demand your attention (i.e. work or family)?
Do you want professional support and guidance whilst you focus on recovery?
If you answered yes to more than one of the items, it is worth considering engaging a psychologist to support your recovery. Recovery is already a challenging process without the additional barriers that your life might have.
Source: Matt Howard, Unsplash
Maybe it’s helpful to know that it is common for addiction, medical and mental health professionals who have their own addiction problems to engage in addiction therapy. This included drug and alcohol counselors, psychologists, pharmacists and doctors. In a sense, these clients engage me not only because of my expertise but because they understand that the right professional support leads to a better result.
I know if I were to start my recovery; I would probably try it myself to see how far I can go. Then I would quickly realize it’s easier to get professional help, especially if there are other tough things going on for me. Similarly, if I had a problem car troubles:
A) I could try to work it out and take 12 months on my own to fix it
OR
B) I can decide that with a skilled professional, my problem may take 6 months instead.
That’s 6 more months that I can effectively use my car. In the case of recovery, it might mean 6 more months of living a meaningful life without addiction. Engaging a psychologist isn’t for everyone, some people simply prefer a solo-recovery approach and you have my full support!