You may have started experimenting with alcohol, cannabis, or other substances. Or perhaps someone close to you is doing so and you're worried. Either way, having real information and professional support can make the difference between an experiment and a problem. It's not about judging, but about understanding the risks, recognizing warning signs, and making informed decisions about your wellbeing.
PSYCHOLOGY FOR ADDICTIONS
First contact with substances refers to the initiation of alcohol, cannabis, or other drug use, often during adolescence or young adulthood. This stage is critical because the young brain is more vulnerable to the effects of substances, and habits formed during this period are more likely to become chronic. Not every experiment becomes an addiction, but it's important to have real information and support to make conscious decisions.
The young brain (up to approximately age 25) is in active development, especially the areas responsible for decision-making and impulse control. Substances can interfere with this development. Additionally, age of onset is the most important risk factor for future addictions: the younger we start, the higher the probability of dependence. Addressing early use is not alarmism, it's smart prevention.
We provide a judgment-free space to explore your relationship with substances, understand the reasons for use, and make informed decisions. We use brief intervention, harm reduction, and motivational interviewing to help you evaluate risks, identify warning signs, and develop regulation strategies. It's not about forced abstinence, but about information and support to make conscious decisions about your body and your life.
Real, non-moralistic information about substances
Get contrasted, evidence-based information about the effects of substances on the young brain, real risks, and myths. Understanding what happens to you when you use gives you power to make informed decisions rather than deciding based on social pressure or misinformation.
Honest assessment of your use
Explore without judgment your relationship with substances: why you use, when, with whom, and how it makes you feel. Identify risk patterns, early warning signs, and personal vulnerability factors. This self-awareness is the foundation of any change.
Harm reduction strategies
Learn practical measures to reduce risks if you decide to continue using: consumption limits, recognizing risky situations, safety guidelines, and how to identify when use is getting out of control. Harm reduction saves lives and is the first line of prevention.
Identify and manage risk factors
Explore the emotional reasons for use: managing anxiety, social pressure, escapism from problems, need for belonging. When you understand why you use, you can find healthier alternatives that meet the same needs.
Make conscious decisions about your use
Develop skills to make informed decisions about use: recognizing social pressure, setting personal limits, communicating your decisions, and knowing how to say no when needed. The goal is for you to decide, not peer pressure or inertia.
"I started smoking to be with friends and then I couldn't be without it. Talking about it in therapy helped me understand that what I really needed was to feel like I belonged to the group. Now I have healthier ways to connect and I've reduced my use a lot."
Oriol, 18
"I wasn't sure if I had a problem or not. Talking with the therapist I could see clearly how my use was affecting my life. She didn't judge me, she just helped me see reality and make informed decisions. I decided to cut back and I'm much better."
Laia, 20
Information and support without judgment to make conscious decisions.
Not every experiment becomes a problem, but it's important to be honest with yourself about frequency, motives, and consequences. Using due to social pressure, to manage difficult emotions, or when the brain is still developing (up to age 25) increases risks. Talking about it with a professional doesn't mean you have a problem, it means you're making informed decisions.
The approach is informative and non-prescriptive. We work together so you understand the risks and make conscious decisions. For some, the goal will be abstinence; for others, harm reduction. What's important is that the decision is yours, based on real information and not social pressure or ignorance.
Confidentiality is fundamental in therapy. Session contents are private within legal limits. Confidentiality would only be broken if there's imminent risk of serious harm to you or someone else. You can speak openly and explore your options without fear.
It's very important that you have information to be able to help. Some things you can do: express your concern without judgment ('I'm worried about you' rather than 'stop doing that'), offer active listening, don't normalize excessive use, and suggest seeking professional help. You're not responsible for the other person's decisions, but your concern can be the catalyst for change.