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Help with addiction
Do you feel that you increasingly crave alcohol, drugs, medication, gaming or gambling? And that it is beginning to define your life more and more? Addiction often creeps in gradually and can have a major impact on your relationships, work and health. Perhaps you don't understand why you keep relapsing. At U-center, together we look at the underlying patterns so you can regain control of your life.
It's often not just about what you use or do, but what underlies it: pain, emotions or needs that you have difficulty dealing with.
Recognize
Symptoms of addiction
Addiction often creeps in slowly and is therefore not always easy to recognize. Yet there are signs/characteristics that may indicate an addiction. For example, you may notice that you are increasingly reaching for a drug or behavior, and that stopping or reducing your use is impossible, no matter how much you want to. We speak of an addiction when you start using substances or exhibiting certain behaviors more and more or for longer periods of time. The craving keeps coming back and is increasingly difficult to suppress.
How addiction manifests itself varies from person to person, yet there are symptoms that are characteristic of many addicts.
Symptoms:
• Investing less and less time in your social contacts.
• You function less well or even poorly at work/study
• You need more and more to feel the same effect.
• Lying to hide your addiction
• Relinquishing obligations
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Guilt, anxiety and stress
• Financial problems
• Poor eating habits and health problems
• Neglect of yourself and your environment
expert in multiple diagnosis
We treat multiple disorders parallel
Short and intensive treatment
Quickly make a U-turn in your life
Recovery in a natural environment
Working on body and support
Recognize
Understanding addictions
Often there is more at play than addiction. We know from experience that anxiety, depression or trauma often go together. That's why U-center looks beyond the drug or behavior you're addicted to. We include everything that affects your life, from your personality and relationships to your work, lifestyle and health.
Together with your treatment team, you will explore the causes and patterns behind your addiction. You will gain insight and practical tools to initiate real, lasting change in a way that suits you.
Types of addictions
Addiction has different forms, and each kind has its own impact on your daily life. We distinguish between substance addictions (such as alcohol, drugs or medication) and behavioral addictions (such as gambling, gaming or sex). The way the symptoms manifest themselves and the impact on a person's functioning may differ for each type of addiction.
Behavioral addictions
Substance addiction
Our approach
How do we treat addiction?
At U-center, we treat not just your addiction, but you as a person. We look at who you are, what's going on in your life and what you need for lasting recovery. Because behind addiction there are often deeper patterns and psychological symptoms.
Treatment begins when physical dependency is no longer present, allowing you to fully focus on therapy and recovery.
The basis is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), supplemented by other proven methods. We also work with body-oriented therapies, creative work forms, lifestyle interventions and conversations. Individually, in groups or together with your partner or loved ones.
You will work intensively with a regular treatment team to strengthen your resilience, break patterns, and build a healthier life. Our approach is intensive, personalized, and focused on lasting change.
Our approach
A comprehensive approach to addiction
Often addiction goes hand in hand with other mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, trauma or personality problems. This combination of issues is called comorbidity and makes it extra difficult to get a handle on your situation.
At U-center, therefore, we look beyond addiction. In an integrated treatment program we examine together the connection between your behavior and underlying problems. You work with a fixed team to gain insight, break patterns and make healthier choices.
Our approach helps you not only stop, but also prevent relapse. With the goal: sustainable recovery and more control over your life.
Therapy
Good treatment starts with really understanding what's going on. That's why at U-center we start with a comprehensive intake, in which together we look at the origin of your symptoms and what is getting in the way of your recovery. We take your whole situation into account, from your life story and relationships to lifestyle and health.
Based on that, we create a personalized treatment plan. Using proven forms of therapy, we work to break through addictive behavior as well as the underlying causes. Together we build sustainable recovery and more resilience.
When treating your addiction problems, we always offer psychoeducation. You gain insight into exactly what addiction is, how it came about and what factors influence your use or behavior. This helps you to better understand what is happening to you and why change is often so difficult.
In addition, we work on a stable daily structure. By eating, sleeping and attending therapy at set times, your body and mind recover more quickly. Treatments start daily at the same time and in the evening the internet in the treatment center goes off. In this way, we encourage a healthy rhythm and create peace and focus for your recovery.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a psychotherapy that teaches you - mainly through exercises - to look at and deal with problematic situations differently. In cognitive behavioral therapy, the behavior and thoughts that maintain the problems are discussed and treated. Its effectiveness has been proven by scientific research. Treatments are complaint- or problem-oriented and generally last a short time.
ACT is a form of cognitive behavioral therapy. In ACT, you learn to focus your attention on things you can directly influence, such as your own behavior, instead of trying to gain control over experiences that cannot be directly influenced, such as emotions and thoughts. Training this creates space to focus on things that are really important to you. This implies an acceptance-oriented attitude toward these emotions and thoughts. The ultimate goal of ACT is that you can deal with life's problems flexibly and thus lead a valuable and vital life.
Specific trainings
- Competitive Memory Training (COMET). COMET is a behavioral therapy training that helps you improve your self-image and self-esteem.
- Skills Training Emotion Regulation Disorder (VERS)
- Interpersonal Therapy (part of CBT)
- Substance Abuse Refusal Training
- Social Skills Training. In this training you will learn to improve your social skills and communication, using concrete exercises and tips.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you start an application, you naturally have a number of questions. Is your question not yet answered? If so, please contact our Communications Center.
At U-center, we can treat many mental health conditions. In particular, we specialize in treating multiple diagnoses at the same time (comorbidity). Yet even we cannot help everyone. See our terms & criteria page for more information.
Life with an addict is difficult and fraught with tension, sadness and conflict. It is terrible for family, partner and friends to watch their loved one slip further and further into addiction.
Contact slips through your fingers like sand. Denial can lead to a lot of frustration and anger, and you get the urge to control. With that, the tension rises even higher and more running away behaviors and lies are often the result. Together you are caught in a vicious cycle. Addiction destroys a lot. Indeed, "more than you care about... Until one day you realize that it can't go on like this. We know from experience that it takes a lot of effort to speak to someone about his or her behavior. There is still a taboo on addictions in the Netherlands. In addition, most addicts think they do not have a problem. Therefore, do not go it alone and seek support and help from friends and family or professional counselors.
During treatment, we involve loved ones, whenever possible. We do this in systemic interviews and in the personal development plan of the client. Thus, we also offer loved ones practical tips and advice to support a friend or family member with an addiction.
At U-center, you can get treatment quickly. You can register online without any obligation. We strive to process your application or contact request within two working days. Your place is usually available within 6 to 7 weeks.
Depending on where you live your insurance may cover your treatment. If you have a Dutch insurance you will have to pay a contribution for additional activities and services. Consult the cost& insurance page for more information about your situation of contact our Communication Center.
Our clinic is equipped with all the necessary facilities and also offers a number of additional amenities. For more information, see our facilities page.
Getting rid of your addiction
is a big task,
but it is possible.
This page has been professionally reviewed for medical truth
U-center has subject matter experts check information on the website for medical truth. So you can be sure of reliable information.
Last updated on 26-09-2023
Page reviewed by:
Hans Zander
Addiction Physician
Addiction treatment physician at U-center.