Addiction Training for Irish & UK-Based Therapists: Why Specialised Skills Are Essential

Addiction doesn’t discriminate. 

In Ireland and the UK, abuse and behavioural addictions affect families in every county, across all ages and backgrounds. Yet many mental health professionals feel under-equipped to address the complex interplay of addiction and mental health.

The Stark Reality

According to the Health Research Board, more than 7,000 people sought treatment for problem substance use in 2022. These figures represent only the visible part of the crisis.

Addiction rarely exists alone, and it often intertwines with anxiety, depression, trauma and/or relationship conflict. This is why the Professional Diploma in Addiction Studies from the Institute of Counselling and Psychotherapy (ICPS) (also known as State of Mind, Psychotherapy, Counselling & Education) has become such a vital resource for practitioners across Ireland and the UK.

The Hidden Addiction Crisis in Communities

Addiction isn’t always dramatic or obvious. Increasingly, professionals see what some call “high-functioning addiction”:

Executives maintaining careers while struggling with alcohol dependency

Parents using prescription medication to manage anxiety

Teenagers developing gaming addictions that isolate them from family life

The pandemic has accelerated many hidden struggles.

Generic Training Isn’t Enough

Many counsellors receive basic addiction awareness in their initial training, but surface-level knowledge is not enough. Today, addiction presents in diverse and complex forms.

Substance-related addictions:

• Alcohol dependency: amongst the highest consumption rates in Europe

• Prescription drug misuse: especially benzodiazepines and opioids

• Recreational drug use: escalating beyond control

• Poly-drug use: mixing multiple substances

Behavioural addictions:

• Gambling: fuelled by online betting

• Internet and gaming: affecting adolescents and adults

• Shopping and food addiction: masked as “retail therapy” or comfort eating

• Work addiction: often celebrated in Ireland’s high-pressure work culture

Each requires a distinct therapeutic approach. Many people present with combinations of these alongside mental health challenges.

Where Traditional Counselling Can Fall Short

In standard training, counsellors learn to address symptoms such as anxiety, depression or relationship problems. But when addiction is the driver, treating symptoms alone is like putting a plaster on a burst pipe.

The Professional Diploma in Addiction Studies bridges this gap by teaching practitioners to:

Identify hidden addiction patterns - using subtle assessment techniques that encourage disclosure and open dialogue

Navigate dual diagnosis - addressing addiction alongside anxiety, depression, or trauma

Apply evidence-based interventions - motivational interviewing, CBT for addiction, family systems work, and knowledge of medication-assisted treatment

Cultural Factors That Complicate Treatment

Understanding addiction in Ireland requires awareness of cultural factors:

• Drinking culture - alcohol misuse normalised (“everyone drinks like this”)

• Work ethic - overwork masked as dedication, hiding work addiction

• Economic pressures - fuelling gambling and financial stress

The diploma explores these cultural dynamics and teaches therapists to work sensitively within Irish contexts while challenging harmful norms.

Addiction Training Changes Practice

More accurate assessments - treatment-resistant depression may actually be alcohol-induced mood disorder; chronic anxiety may be withdrawal symptoms.

Integrated treatment plans - continuous care for both mental health and addiction without unnecessary referrals.

Family support - helping loved ones set boundaries, reduce codependency and support recovery.

Improved outcomes - clients receiving integrated care show better long-term recovery rates.

Professional Diploma: What Sets It Apart

Practical, applied learning - focus on skills you can use immediately

10-week format - 20 hours live evening sessions (7–9pm) + 10 hours independent learning

Expert faculty - senior psychotherapists, nurses, and addiction practitioners with decades of Irish experience

Flexible online delivery - accessible across Ireland

Accredited CPD - 30 CPD points with The CPD Standards Office and The Professional Development Consortium

Affordable investment - €495 for 30 hours of accredited training

Core Competencies Gained

Motivational interviewing mastery - working with ambivalence and resistance

Relapse prevention planning - supporting recovery as a process, not a single event

Family and systems work - addressing the impact of addiction on partners, parents and children

Crisis intervention - skills for overdose risk assessment and suicide prevention

Knowing Limits

Training also highlights the importance of professional boundaries - recognising when cases require referral to either specialist or medical services. This protects both client and practitioner while ensuring safe care.

Looking Forward: The Future of Integrated Care

Ireland’s health system is moving towards integrated models and practitioners with dual competence in mental health and addiction will be increasingly valuable. Clients are also seeking comprehensive care from one trusted therapist rather than fragmented support from multiple providers.

Taking the Next Step

Ask yourself:

• Do some clients remain “stuck” despite good therapeutic engagement?

• Do you see patterns suggesting addiction but feel unsure how to address them?

• Do you work with families affected by addiction?

If the answer is yes, specialised training could help to transform your practice.

Applications are now open for the October 2025 intake of the Professional Diploma in Addiction Studies. Book Your Place Here

An Investment in Professional Excellence

Addiction training is not only about working with people in crisis - it deepens understanding of human behaviour, motivation and change. These skills enhance all therapeutic work, from alcohol misuse to procrastination patterns.

As practitioners, we have an ethical responsibility to stay current with the realities our clients face. In 2025, addiction is one of those realities.

The Professional Diploma in Addiction Studies offers Irish and UK-based therapists a practical, supportive learning environment to develop essential competencies. It’s an investment in your practice and in the lives of clients and families across Ireland.

For course details, visit HERE

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, contact the HSE National Helpline on 1800 459 459 or visit hse.ie

All information is accurate at the time of publication.