About addiction
Addictions to substances or behaviours such as gambling, gaming or the internet involve loss of control and continuing despite harm. Treatment usually combines psychological therapy, relapse prevention and, in some cases, medical care. Professionals with experience in addictions can coordinate with specialised services.
Forensic psychologists apply psychology to legal matters: expert reports for courts, custody and family proceedings, assessment of damages or credibility, and support for victims. Ask about their experience as an expert witness in your country.
Getting mental health care in Serbia
How to check that a professional is licensed
- Ministry responsible for social protection, under the Law on the Conditions for Performing Psychological Activity (Official Gazette RS 25/96, 101/2005); ethics code issued by the Psychological Society of Serbia (Društvo psihologa Srbije). Psychological activity may be carried out by a psychology graduate who has passed the state professional exam, and some tasks require a specialisation. There is no psychologists' chamber or public licence register, so ask for the diploma and professional exam certificate.
- Serbian Medical Chamber (Lekarska komora Srbije). Doctors, including psychiatrists, need a licence from the Medical Chamber, which can be suspended or withdrawn. The Chamber publishes a list of licensed doctors.
Urgent help in Serbia
If your life or someone else's is in danger, call the emergency number now. These services can help at any time:
- 194 · Ambulancia (Хитна помоћ)
- 0800 309 309 · Национална СОС линија за превенцију самоубиства
Information reviewed in November 2026 · Sources: minrzs.gov.rs, kurir.rs, 021.rs
Signs to look out for
An addiction may be developing when you find it hard to control how much or how often you use a substance or engage in a behaviour such as gambling, gaming, shopping or online use; when you keep going despite problems with health, money, work or relationships; when you need more to get the same effect; or when you feel restless or unwell when you stop.
What helps: treatments and professionals
Effective approaches include cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, relapse-prevention programmes, contingency management and, for young people, family-based therapy. Psychologists and clinical psychologists with addiction experience, psychiatrists and specialised addiction services usually work together. For some substances, medically supervised treatment is needed. Mutual-help groups can complement professional care for many people.
When to seek urgent help
Contact your local emergency services immediately in case of a suspected overdose, loss of consciousness, difficulty breathing, seizures, chest pain or confusion. Seek urgent help too if there are thoughts of suicide or harming others. Stopping some substances suddenly after heavy use can be dangerous, so talk to a doctor before quitting.
What you can do in the meantime
Be honest with yourself about how often and why you use, and notice the situations, emotions and people that trigger it. Tell someone you trust and consider removing easy access, such as blocking betting apps or limiting cash. Fill your time with activities that do not involve the substance or behaviour. Lapses can happen; they are a signal to seek support, not a failure.
What does a forensic psychologist do?
A forensic psychologist applies psychology to legal questions. Day to day they carry out expert assessments and write reports for courts, lawyers or individuals: for example on child custody, the psychological impact of an event, capacity, credibility issues or risk. Some also work in prisons, victim support or rehabilitation programmes. They may be asked to explain their findings at trial.
When to see a forensic psychologist
You may need a forensic psychologist when a legal process requires an independent psychological assessment: custody or visitation disputes, claims for psychological harm after an accident or assault, workplace harassment cases, or questions about a person’s capacity. If what you need is emotional support during a legal process, a therapist is more suitable, since forensic assessment is evaluative, not therapeutic.
How to choose
When choosing, check the licence and training, the approach they use and whether they have experience with what you need. Consider practical aspects too: language, price, location or online sessions and availability. The relationship with the professional matters a great deal; if after a few sessions it does not feel right, it is fine to change.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check that a forensic psychologist is licensed in Serbia?
Ministry responsible for social protection, under the Law on the Conditions for Performing Psychological Activity (Official Gazette RS 25/96, 101/2005); ethics code issued by the Psychological Society of Serbia (Društvo psihologa Srbije): Psychological activity may be carried out by a psychology graduate who has passed the state professional exam, and some tasks require a specialisation. There is no psychologists' chamber or public licence register, so ask for the diploma and professional exam certificate.