ADDICTION
Addiction
Confidential private support for addiction, with counselling, GP review where clinically appropriate, and clear next steps from the same medical practice.
CONFIDENTIAL
Private Setting
Confidential assessment within an established medical practice
INTEGRATED
GP + Therapy
Medical and psychological support through the same clinic
Understanding Addiction
More than a lack of willpower
Addiction and dependency are often accompanied by shame, secrecy and uncertainty about what kind of support to seek. Patients may be concerned about alcohol, substances, compulsive behaviours or patterns that feel increasingly difficult to control. They may also be dealing with anxiety, low mood, trauma, disrupted sleep, strained relationships or deterioration in work and daily functioning. It develops when a behaviour — whether involving alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, food or another compulsive pattern — becomes increasingly difficult to control despite causing harm. The difficulty is not a lack of willpower; it is a pattern of dependency that has become embedded in how the brain manages stress, reward, relief and emotional regulation.
At Basuto Medical Centre, private support for addiction is available through confidential counselling with GP input where clinically appropriate. This means patients can access psychological and medical support through the same practice, without needing to navigate separate services or disclose to multiple providers.
Common Patterns
How addiction commonly presents
Addiction can involve alcohol, recreational or prescription drugs, gambling, pornography, food, shopping or other compulsive behaviours. Common signs include increasing consumption or frequency, difficulty cutting down despite wanting to, using the behaviour to manage stress or emotional pain, withdrawal symptoms, secrecy, neglecting responsibilities, relationship damage and a growing sense that the behaviour is controlling you rather than the other way around.
Physical health consequences are common, particularly with alcohol and substance use. Where physical symptoms need attention — such as liver function, blood pressure, sleep or nutritional deficiencies — a private GP review and blood tests can be arranged through the same practice.
Contributing Factors
What contributes to addiction
Addiction rarely develops in isolation. It is commonly linked to underlying psychological difficulties — including trauma, anxiety, depression, childhood adversity, chronic stress, shame, loneliness and unresolved grief. The addictive behaviour often begins as a way of coping with something that feels otherwise unmanageable.
This is why effective support for addiction often needs to address both the behaviour itself and what is driving it. A practice that can offer counselling alongside medical support is better placed to help patients whose difficulties span psychological and physical health.
When to Seek Help
When addiction needs professional support
It is worth seeking support when:
- a behaviour feels increasingly difficult to control or reduce
- you are using alcohol, substances or compulsive behaviours to manage stress or emotional pain
- consumption or frequency has increased despite attempts to cut down
- relationships, work or daily responsibilities are being affected
- secrecy around the behaviour is growing
- physical health is being affected — sleep, liver function, appetite, weight
- you recognise the pattern but feel unable to change it alone
Confidentiality is central to how addiction support is delivered at Basuto. Patients can seek help without concern about disclosure to employers, insurers or others.
How We Can Help
Private addiction support at Basuto
At Basuto Medical Centre, addiction support is available through private counselling and GP assessment. Counselling provides a structured, confidential space to explore what is driving the behaviour, develop strategies for managing it, and address the underlying psychological difficulties that often sustain addiction.
GP input may be appropriate where physical health needs monitoring, where medication may support recovery, or where a specialist referral to a dedicated addiction service is needed. Blood tests can be arranged where clinically indicated.
Addiction frequently overlaps with other conditions. If relevant, support is also available for trauma, anxiety, depression, and ADHD.
Your Appointment
What to expect
Your first appointment is a private, non-judgmental conversation. You will have time to explain what has been happening, how the behaviour has developed, what you have tried, and what feels most difficult. There is no pressure to have all the answers — the purpose is to understand the situation and agree on a practical next step.
This may involve ongoing counselling, a GP review of physical health, blood tests, discussion of medication that may support recovery, specialist referral where appropriate, or a structured plan for managing the behaviour alongside its underlying causes.
Same-day appointments available. Book online or call 020 7736 7557.
PRICING
Simple, Transparent Pricing
Pay as you go at £150 per consultation, or save with a membership plan.
Pay As You Go
£150
per consultation
✓ 30-minute GP consultation
✓ Prescription included
✓ Referral letter included
✓ No commitment
Adult Membership
£85/month
per month
✓ 10 GP appointments/year
✓ Priority same-day booking
✓ All prescriptions included
✓ Named doctor continuity
Patient Reviews
Patient Feedback
★★★★★
“It’s a great friendly practice and the GP has an extremely friendly approach and gives you plenty of her time and is excellent with diagnosis. It has a warm friendly atmosphere.”
Verified Patient
GP Consultation · Doctify Verified
★★★★★
“Thorough and considered consultation with the doctor who gave me plenty of time and attention and treated a number of different ailments. I was phoned back later the same day by the doctor as a follow-up. I have been using Basuto Medical Centre for years, they are an excellent medical practice.”
Verified Patient
Women’s Health · Doctify Verified
★★★★★
“I called at 5.15pm, in pain and knowing that I needed antibiotics. In five minutes the receptionist had spoken to the doctor and she called me back for a telephone consultation. By 6pm I had picked up my filled prescription. I simply could not have asked for better service.”
Verified Patient
Same-Day Care · Doctify Verified
YOUR DOCTORS
Clinical Team
Care led by experienced GMC-registered GPs. Committed to provide thorough care and clear clinical decision-making.
How to Book
Getting started
You can book a confidential appointment to discuss addiction concerns directly through the practice. If you are unsure whether to start with counselling or a GP consultation, either is a reasonable first step — the team can guide you from there.
CONDITIONS & CONCERNS
What we can help with
Private GP appointments cover the full range of general practice. You do not need to know what is wrong — if something is worrying you, that is reason enough to book.
Women’s Health
Menopause and HRT, contraception, cervical screening, fertility, pregnancy.
Men’s Health
Testosterone, erectile dysfunction, cardiovascular risk, prostate symptoms.
Children & Families
Paediatric consultations, vaccines, childhood infections, newborn checks.
Mental Health
Anxiety, depression, stress, burnout — GP assessment with integrated counselling.
Travel & Vaccines
Travel health, vaccinations, antimalarial prescriptions, fit-to-fly letters.
FIND US
Basuto Medical Centre
29 Basuto Road, London, SW6 4BJ
3-minute walk from Parsons Green station (District line)
Mon–Fri: 9am–6pm
Book an addiction appointment in Fulham
Confidential counselling and GP support for addiction, with structured assessment, clear next steps and the option of joined-up medical care through the same practice.