Drug and Alcohol Counseling
At Mind Care Therapy in Canberra, our expert drug and alcohol counselling supports individuals at every stage from casual use to addiction. People often turn to substances to relax, escape stress, numb physical or emotional pain, or avoid life’s challenges. While these may offer temporary relief, continued use can lead to serious dependence, health risks, and disrupted relationships.
Signs of Substance Misuse & Addiction
- Avoiding responsibilities and social commitments
- Spending increasingly more time around substance users
- Missing work, school, or personal obligations
- Losing interest in once-loved activities
- Experiencing escalating tolerance and cravings
- Suffering withdrawal symptoms
- Lying about intake or spending beyond means
- Engaging in risky behaviors like drunk driving or unsafe sex
- Noticing changes in mood irritability, anxiety, depression
- Personal, family, or legal problems stemming from use
Stages of Addiction
- Experimentation – Casual use turns into regular emotional escape
- Regular Use – Occasional use, often during stress or loneliness
- Problem / Risky Use – Real-world consequences begin (legal, relational, academic)
- Dependence – Regular use despite harm; body adapts
- Addiction – Uncontrolled, compulsive use, often with psychological and physical changes
Our Approach in Canberra
At our Canberra clinic, Mariemma offers a flexible and client-focused approach:
- Harm Reduction: For those aiming to reduce use and make safer choices without full abstinence
- Abstinence-Based: For clients seeking complete sobriety and structured support
We integrate holistic and evidence-based therapy, empowering you to make sustainable changes.
Get in Touch
If you relate to any of the signs above, reach out today. Mariemma is ready to guide you toward healthier patterns and recovery on your terms.
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius
“Don’t let the past steal your present.” – Terri Guillemets
What is drug and alcohol counselling?
Counselling that helps you understand patterns, triggers, and recovery strategies for substance use.
Do you work with clients in Canberra?
Yes our services are available both in-person at our Canberra center and online Australia-wide.
Is abstinence required?
No. We offer both harm-reduction and abstinence-based programs tailored to your goals.
How do I know if I need counselling?
If substance use is affecting your health, work, relationships, or mood, counselling may help.
What happens in an initial session?
We assess your current situation, set goals, and develop a tailored treatment plan.
What therapeutic methods are used?
Evidence-based approaches including CBT, motivational interviewing, and holistic practices.
How long is treatment?
Duration varies short-term exploration, ongoing therapy, or maintenance counselling based on your needs.
Is counselling confidential?
Absolutely. All sessions adhere to professional confidentiality standards.
Is it just for alcohol and drugs?
No we also assist with other addictive behaviors (e.g., gambling) and co-occurring issues like anxiety or depression.
How do I get started?
Contact us via email, phone, or our online form to schedule your first session in Canberra or online.
Stages of Addiction
Experimentation
Experimentation begins voluntarily and at this point, use is irregular and only occurs in specific situations. When people believe their substance, abuse is solving their problems or making them feel better begin drinking more alcohol or taking more drugs, thereby moving on to regular use.
Regular use
Regular use does not have to be every day, but sometimes it happens every weekend or in a certain circumstance such as when lonely, bored, or stressed. Regular, heavy use of drugs or alcohol begins to take a toll on the person’s life, health, and safety. This may result, conflict and marital problems, trouble fulfilling work and personal responsibilities and trouble with law.
Problem or risky use
During this stage, you begin to suffer legal, emotional, physical, or social problems. Adults may drink and drive or have problems at work or in their relationships. Teenagers may have bad grades, behavioural problems, a significant change in friends or motor vehicle crashes.
Dependence
Dependence is continues use of substances regularly despite the harm its causing, including bodily changes causing altered reactions to the substance.
Addiction
Addiction is compulsive and out of control. You might experience psychological and physical changes from repeated heavy substance use.
Mariemma brings harm reduction approach to people those who want to make safer decisions about their ongoing health and wellbeing without abstaining. Abstinence based approach for those who want to reduce and abstaining from alcohol and other drug use. Talk to Mariemma today and see what is the holistic way to address your substance use problems.
“It Does Not Matter How Slowly You Go as Long As You Do Not Stop.” – Confucius
“When your past calls, don’t answer. It has nothing new to say.” “Don’t let the past steal your present.” Terri Guillemets