The delicate skills involved in treating addictions of any kind - from substance abuse to eating disorders, internet, shopping or gambling are not for the faint-hearted to attempt. People suffering from cancer, diabetes or heart attacks are grateful when offered help. People who have problems with addictive or compulsive behaviour of any kind will fight back: they want to protect their dependency and simply get rid of its damaging consequences. The trouble is that you cannot have one without the other, and this is where the skills of the addiction specialist is required.