Addiction and Substance Use Therapy in Alberta
Maybe drinking started as a way to unwind, and now it's hard to stop at one. Maybe you've quit before and slipped back, more than once. Maybe using is the only thing that quiets your mind, even as it costs you more.
You deserve support without judgment. KP Psychological offers online therapy for alcohol and drug use, relapse, and the stress or trauma that can sit underneath them, for adults across Alberta, including Edmonton and Calgary. Sessions are by secure video, for people who are physically in Alberta at the time of each session.
When substance use becomes a problem
Substance use exists on a range. It becomes a problem when it's harder to control, or when it's causing harm to your health, relationships, work or safety. You might notice:
- using more, or for longer, than you meant to
- wanting to cut down but finding it hard to
- needing more to get the same effect
- feeling unwell, shaky or anxious when you stop
- using to get through stress, sleep, pain or painful memories
- missing work or commitments, or hiding how much you use
- relapsing after stretches of doing well
Relapse is common, and it isn't a moral failing. It's information we can learn from together.
Trauma, stress and substance use
Many people use alcohol or drugs to cope with something that hurts. The U.S. National Center for PTSD notes that people may use substances to relax, feel more comfortable socially, or push away thoughts and feelings they'd rather avoid.
The trouble is that substances can make things worse over time. Alcohol, for example, can make sleep less restful, even when it helps you fall asleep. The National Center for PTSD also reports that over 4 in 10 adults with PTSD have problems with drug or alcohol use.
If trauma is part of your story, you don't have to wait until you've stopped using to address it. Read more about trauma and PTSD therapy.
What the research says helps
Treating trauma and substance use together. The National Center for PTSD reports that treating PTSD and substance use at the same time, called concurrent treatment, works to treat both conditions.
A 2016 Cochrane review found that trauma-focused therapy delivered alongside substance use treatment reduced PTSD symptoms more than usual care. Substance use improved at longer follow-up. The benefits were modest, more people dropped out, and the evidence was rated low quality, so research is still developing.
Talking therapies. The NHS lists talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) among the main treatments for problem drinking. CBT helps you understand triggers and practise other ways to cope.
Your goals count. For people who are dependent on alcohol, the usual aim is to stop completely. The NHS notes that if you're not ready to stop, or just want to cut down, you can be supported to reduce your drinking to a safer level. We'll work toward goals that are yours.
A note on safety: withdrawal
Don't stop suddenly without medical advice if you may be dependent. The NHS warns that it can be very dangerous to stop drinking suddenly if you're dependent on alcohol. Withdrawal can include shaking, hallucinations, confusion and seizures. Stopping some other drugs suddenly can be risky too.
If you get withdrawal symptoms, get medical help before you try to stop. Talk to your family doctor, or call Health Link at 811. We're not a detox, medical or residential program, but therapy can work alongside that care.
Things that can help day to day
- Notice your triggers. Times of day, places, people and feelings that make using more likely.
- Plan for high-risk moments. Decide in advance what you'll do instead, and who you can call.
- Use grounding skills when cravings or strong feelings hit. In this video, Kyle explains grounding and how it can help.
- Connect with others. Peer support groups help many people, alongside therapy.
- Be kind to yourself after a slip. Shame tends to feed the cycle. Curiosity helps break it.
How we can help
We start by understanding where you are now, what you have been carrying, and what you want to feel different. Then we plan together. You set the goals, whether that's cutting back, stopping, or staying stopped.
Depending on what fits, therapy may include:
- Motivational Interviewing, for exploring mixed feelings about change at your own pace
- CBT and relapse prevention, for triggers, cravings and high-risk situations
- DBT skills, for riding out strong emotions without using
- Trauma-focused therapy, such as EMDR, when trauma is part of the picture and you're ready
Who you'd see
You'd work with Kyle Poon, R.Psych. Addiction, alcohol and substance use, and relapse are among the areas he works with, often alongside trauma, PTSD and the stress of front-line work. Kyle currently has a waitlist, and the free consult is a good time to talk about timing.
Other supports in Alberta
- Addiction Helpline: 1-866-332-2322, 24 hours a day (Alberta only), run by Alberta Health Services
- Health Link: dial 811 for health advice any time
- 211 Alberta: call or text 2-1-1 to find services near you
What therapy looks like here
Sessions are 50 minutes, by secure video. How often we meet is up to you. We work it out together, based on what fits you best, including your finances and your coverage.
A session with Kyle is $250. Alberta Health Care doesn't cover psychologists, but many extended health plans do, and we can bill most insurance companies directly. See fees and insurance for details.
Common questions
Do I have to quit completely to start therapy?
No. You can start wherever you are. Some people want to stop, others want to cut back, and some aren't sure yet. We'll talk honestly about your goals, including safety.
Can you help if I've relapsed many times?
Yes. Relapse is common, and it doesn't mean you've failed. Together we can look at what led to past relapses and build a plan that fits your life now.
Can we work on trauma if I'm still using?
Often, yes. Research supports treating trauma and substance use together rather than waiting. We'll plan carefully, with stabilization skills first, and adjust based on how you're doing.
Are you a detox or treatment centre?
No. We offer outpatient therapy by video. If you may need medical withdrawal support, residential treatment or urgent help, we'll help you find the right service, and therapy can continue alongside it.
Do you bill insurance directly?
We can bill most insurance companies directly, so you only pay the part your plan doesn't cover. Tell us your plan at your free consult, and we'll confirm before your first session.
Book a free 15-minute consultation
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