Addiction

Addiction is a condition where a person becomes dependent on a substance or behavior because it temporarily relieves stress, pain, or emotional overwhelm. Over time, it changes the brain’s reward system, making it hard to stop even when the consequences are harmful. 

Recovery is absolutely possible, and it often starts with support, honesty, and reaching out to someone who can help.

ADDICTIONS

Alcohol : 

Websites / Helplines

• Alcoholics Anonymous  https://aa.org.au , Ph: 1300 222 222

• ADF https://adf.org.au ,  Ph: 1800 250 015   (This is a government site with lots of facts, figures, advice and resources. There is also a drug information directory.)

• Drink Wise drinkwise.org.au 

• Positive Choices positivechoices.org.au 

• fare.org.au

• soberinthecountry.org

• Al-Anon ( for people effected by alcoholics) Ph: 1300 252 666

• Better Health Ph: 1800 888 236 

You Tube / TED Talks 

• Unmasking Addiction -Micheal  Quinn 

• How I Overcame Addiction – Alex Catterson  

• Grey Area Drinking – Jolene Perk  

• Addiction is a Disease - Michael Botticelli  

App 

• Reframe: Drink Less &Thrive 

Drugs :

Websites / Helplines

• ADF https://adf.org.au , Ph:  1800 250 015  (there is a link to Path2Help where there is evidence based information on drug taking  and suggested support.)

• National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline 1800 250 015  (24/7 free and confidential service connecting you to local services.)

• Narcotics Anonymous Ph: 1300 652 820

• Family Drug Support FDS  Ph: 1300 368 186  (24/7 support line, education, support groups.)

• Lifeline Ph: 131 114  (24/7 crisis support)

You Tube / TED Talks 

• The Harm Reduction Model of Drug Addiction Treatment - Mark Tyndall  

• Merits of Harm reduction - Melissa Byers  

Podcasts

• The addicted Mind 

• Love over Addiction 

• High Truths on Drugs and Addictions 

• Cracking Addiction 

App 

• Clean Today -Drug Free Life 

Gambling :

Websites / Helplines

• National Gambling Help Line  Ph: 1800 858 858

• Gambling Help Online -Gambling Counsellor www.gamblinghelponline  (free and 24/7)

• Gambling Support Services – www.dss.gov.au.gamblingsupport

• Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS)

You Tube / TED Talks / 

• Gambling and The Brain  - Zoe Falster  (simple explanation 2 minutes)

• The Silent addiction - Patrick Chester  

• Taking back Control - Shamil Gillani  

• Luck, Skill and The Rise of Gambling - Jody Bechtold  

• Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong - Johann Hari  

Podcasts

• The After Gambling

• The Problem Gambling

• All Bets are off

Books

• Judith Grisel - "Never Enough -The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction"

App 

• Quit Gambling: Bet Breaker

Pornography :

Websites / Helplines

• Sex Addiction Australia  https://www.sexaddictionaustralia.com.au

• Sex and Love Addicts Australia  www.slaa.org.au

• www.recovery.com.australia.pornography

• The Banyans  https://thebanyans.com.au/porn-addiction-symptoms/

• www.nofap.com.au

You Tube / TED Talks

• Seeking Integrity  

• Huberman Lab – How to Stop Watching Porn  

• 12 Steps to Quit Porn and Reboot your Life  

Book: 

• Sex Addiction 101

App 

• Reboot-Overcome Porn