Choosing the Right Psychotherapy Modality for Addiction Recovery in Torbay & Teignbridge

Matty Sweet
Nov 24
3 min read

Would you say there are always two sides to every story?

In this blog, I will use my expertise as a mental health practitioner to guide your awareness of the types of therapy for substance misuse. There will be a short overview of CBT for addiction recovery (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and DBT for addiction (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy), which is delivered in the weekly mental health drop-in for The Devon Mental Health Alliance. I will also share why the lived experience of trauma-informed addiction treatment in private practice empowers client work to date.

How do you feel after a blow-out on alcohol or narcotics?

The feelings after a blowout in your 30s and 40s are far harder to get over than when the body had more energy and fewer responsibilities. I found out, doing the research for this post, that the median age in Torbay is 49, significantly older than the England average. This shows me that there are a large number of people who could be using alcohol and narcotics to numb the emotional and psychological pain in their lives. As an example, the wish to drink and pick up drugs after payday could be less likely compared to the end of the month if the salary isn’t covering the monthly outgoings. Or you may feel that the income landing in your account doesn’t mean as much as you face the rest of the month without enough monetary reward for what you give up. I work with people who experience a request from a loved one, or a professional who signposts people to a group, or into private practice, who misuse substances based on despair, low life satisfaction and overwhelm that adult life can feel too great some days.

Holistic Approach to Addiction Recovery

Many organisations offer substance support in Torbay and Teignbridge. There are funded spaces that offer free services like the Devon Mental Health Alliance weekly drop-in at Endeavour House in Torquay on a Wednesday from 13:00 until 15:30, which I facilitate with a colleague. And there are other NHS and charitable services nearby too, which are more clinical in their delivery. The joy of the postgraduate informed private service offered by Matt Sweet Counselling and Psychotherapy is the holistic approach, which is developed from integrative psychotherapy that looks at behaviour and dialogue with others and internally in our minds and heart centre.

How do I find an Addiction Therapist Near Me?

If you are experiencing physical and emotional difficulties in relationships with others, like a husband, wife or with children, then it could be time to look at how the brain and behavioural patterns are causing you harm, or the way you speak with yourself, or too others. This is how we use CBT for addiction recovery (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and DBT for addiction (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy). I find my own lived experience in this field, as well as professional results, helps clients explore the whole life picture in a safe and compassionate weekly or fortnightly space. There are high levels of shame and guilt for adults and parents when we get into the nitty-gritty of trauma-informed work. It is a hard space that can open up in a therapeutically led session to learn more about you and what is causing you to want to numb the psychological and emotional pain.

What if I am using alcohol and/or narcotics for mental health support?

This is a good starting point as we understand addiction counselling or psychotherapy options. I have to say you are also not alone, as people will more often than not be experiencing a dual diagnosis for addiction treatment. And on a personal level, I get it. This world in 2025, within the United Kingdom, is a hard space to balance purpose, identity and happiness. The good news is that the experience as a human being rather than the human-doing is where I like to geek out the most based on my interest in life and the meaning of it. The starting point for us is to start talking with a 30-minute free consultation, and gather some details on what obstacles you face before we decide to work together. The good news is that there are offices in Paignton and Torquay for us to work with each other.