Addiction Psychologists in Colombo

Addiction covers alcohol, other drugs, and behaviours such as gambling. Psychological treatment is only one part of addiction care.

For drug use disorders, the WHO and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime list treatments that work, including cognitive-behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, contingency management and family therapy ¹.

Guidelines recommend a range of treatments for opioid dependence ². Those include maintenance treatment with methadone or buprenorphine, alongside psychosocial treatment and support.

Detoxification on its own does not treat a drug use disorder. Ask a practitioner what they treat, and where they refer.

Everyone on this page is listed under the professional title psychologist. Psychologists apply the study of the mind and behaviour to assist people through difficulty. Clinical psychologists work with people of all ages, with families, carers, teams and communities.

Assessment belongs to a psychologist's training, and sits alongside therapy. Clinical, counselling and educational psychology are different training routes. Each route emphasises different work.

Which titles are registered varies by country. Where the title is registered, the register says what it covers. Ask a psychologist which route they trained through, and what they work with most.

National Institute of Mental Health Sri Lanka Navodaya Psychological Treatment Service. Phone +94 11 2578556. All curative services at public health institutions are funded by the state and free to citizens. Members of the public can book the Navodaya day service. You need a clinical assessment, and appointments must be booked three working days ahead.

The title you will see is Clinical Psychologist. The Sri Lanka Medical Council keeps the register.

See the Sri Lanka page.