If you are considering tapering or stopping a medication, we can begin by exploring what you want to change, what you are unsure about and what support you need. The same opportunity is there if you want to change your use of alcohol, drugs or other substances. Sessions can begin before you have made a decision and continue before, during or after a change.
I provide the psychological support. Doctors or addiction services are responsible for medical assessments, detoxification and decisions about medication or doses when these are needed.
It can be difficult to know what to do when you want to change a medication treatment but are unsure how you will feel or how everyday life may be affected. We can stay with the questions before you decide and help you prepare for the conversation with the doctor responsible for the treatment.
During a change, we can follow how you feel and function, what happens with sleep and worry and which situations become harder. The sessions do not replace the doctor’s medical assessment, but they may make it easier to describe what is happening and see what you need help with.
Discontinuation reactions after antidepressant medication are not the same as addiction. At the same time, they can overlap with previous difficulties. When it is unclear what a change is due to, the medical assessment needs to be made by a doctor.
When it concerns alcohol, drugs or other substances
You can seek support when you are considering a change, trying to change your use or wanting to understand what happened after a previous attempt.
We can explore what function the use serves in your life, what triggers cravings, which situations become difficult and how your ways of handling them affect you. The work may also involve feelings, relationships, everyday life and finding other ways of acting when things become difficult.
The need for care differs between substances and people. Medical assessment or detoxification may be needed for withdrawal or a risk of physical complications. I can help you find your way towards a doctor, addiction services or other help.
What we can work on
What is helpful depends on where you are and what you want to understand or change. Sessions may involve, among other things:
formulating what you want to change and what makes you unsure
mapping previous attempts and what you want to do differently
following reactions, sleep, wellbeing and everyday life over time
exploring worry, attempts at control and avoidance that can make change harder
understanding what function the use serves when relevant
finding other ways of handling cravings, discomfort and difficult situations
preparing and summarising what you need to discuss with a doctor or addiction services
getting support with setbacks, reconsiderations and difficult choices without being steered towards a particular decision
Sessions and healthcare can take place alongside one another
The psychological work can continue before, during and after contact with a doctor or addiction services. Sessions can help you hold together the psychological, relational and practical parts of the change.
Direct collaboration with a doctor or another healthcare professional takes place only if you want it and give your consent.
Common questions
Can I get in touch before I have decided?
Yes. We can begin by exploring what you want to change, what makes you unsure and what might be a reasonable next step.
Can you decide how quickly I should taper or what dose I should take?
No. I do not make medical decisions about doses or tapering plans. These questions need to be assessed by the doctor responsible for the treatment or another doctor.
Are discontinuation reactions the same as addiction?
No. Discontinuation reactions after, for example, antidepressant medication can occur without the medication being addictive. Some other medications, alcohol and drugs can, however, cause addiction and withdrawal. A doctor can help assess what applies in your situation.
Does the support also cover alcohol, drugs or other substances?
Yes. Sessions can concern the psychological and psychosocial aspects before, during or after a change. I also help you find your way to addiction services, a doctor or another form of support when needed.
What should I do if withdrawal or physical reactions become severe?
Contact healthcare if you feel very unwell, if withdrawal is difficult to handle or if you are worried about physical reactions. Call 1177 for healthcare advice. If you are in immediate danger, call 112.
