Counselling Support for Healing from Addictions to Vaping

Singapore is taking a tougher stance on vaping and Kpods, but counselling reminds us that behind dependence are struggles with stress, dissociation, and the need for support.

Vaping has been banned in Singapore since 2018, yet its use has continued to rise. What began as discreet experimentation has become a significant public health concern, heightened by the arrival of Kpods — vape pods laced with the sedative drug etomidate.

From 1 September 2025, tougher laws came into effect, including higher fines, mandatory rehabilitation for repeat users, and harsher penalties for traffickers. Etomidate was classified as a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act, with mandatory treatment and supervision for those caught abusing it. 

The message is clear: vaping is not a minor offence but a serious risk to health and safety. Yet beyond the headlines are quieter stories about why people turn to vapes in the first place.

Why people turn to vaping

Vaping appeals to different people for different reasons, depending on age and circumstances. For youths, the draw often lies in ease of access and the sense of casual camaraderie it brings. Sharing a vape during study breaks or after school feels less like a rebellious act and more like “chilling together.” Devices are small and discreet, with pods easily sourced through Telegram groups or passed around among peers. What begins as an occasional habit quickly becomes routine.

On a neurological level, nicotine acts fast on the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine that produces a short burst of calm or focus. This can feel especially attractive for teenagers, whose brains are still developing and are more sensitive to reward. Over time, however, tolerance builds. Cravings strengthen, and withdrawal symptoms such as irritability or restlessness appear when vaping is absent.

Kpods intensify these effects. The sedative etomidate induces a fog or dissociative state, disrupting circuits involved in attention, memory, and emotional regulation. For young people, this can affect executive functioning, the skills that govern planning, impulse control, and decision-making. In practice, this means a student may find it harder to concentrate on lessons, resist peer pressure, or manage stress without relying on another hit.

Among adults, the appeal often takes a different form. Vaping becomes a tool to get through stressful workdays, long commutes, or late-night deadlines. Whether youth or adult, the pattern is the same: a cycle of short-term relief that undermines the brain’s natural ability to manage stress and emotions over time.

Vaping addiction in Singapore: the legal, emotional, and mental health impact

Because vaping is illegal in Singapore, individuals face a double burden: the possibility of fines or rehabilitation orders, alongside the quiet psychological toll of dependence. The risk of being caught creates constant anxiety, while fear of judgment or disappointing loved ones often pushes users into secrecy. Many describe the stress of hiding devices, lying about their habits, or managing the shame of being “found out.” This cycle of concealment not only isolates the individual but also reinforces the hold of vaping.

Beyond secrecy, the mental health impact is significant. Vaping, and especially the use of Kpods, often triggers dissociation. This can look like zoning out during conversations, losing time while using, or feeling detached from one’s own body. In the moment, dissociation may feel protective, a way of escaping stress or harsh expectations. Over time, however, it deepens disconnection, erodes a sense of control, and leaves people more vulnerable to risky decisions and relapse.

What makes vaping in Singapore particularly challenging is this overlap of external and internal consequences. The legal system demands accountability, while the emotional and mental health effects demand compassion. Without addressing both, individuals are left managing not just the cravings but also the shame, secrecy, and detachment that come with them.

How counselling helps with vaping addiction

Counselling provides a safe and confidential space to untangle the patterns behind vaping. It helps individuals recognise not only the craving for nicotine or the sedative effect of Kpods, but also the emotional role these substances play in their lives. For many, vaping is less about enjoyment than about coping with pressure, silencing self-criticism, or avoiding emotions that feel overwhelming.

Therapists often begin by identifying triggers, whether long workdays, conflicts at home, or the loneliness that makes cravings more acute. From there, clients learn to notice when they are slipping into dissociation. Grounding techniques such as focusing on the breath, naming sensory details in the environment, or using movement to reconnect with the body help them remain present rather than retreat into the fog of vaping.

Different therapeutic approaches can be drawn on to deepen this work. Relational models such as Emotionally Focused Therapy and Internal Family Systems shed light on how vaping may stand in for closeness or act as a protective part trying to shield against distress. Motivational interviewing guides clients to find their own reasons for change, while cognitive-behavioural methods track the cycle of thought, craving, and behaviour, helping to build healthier alternatives.

Over time, therapy strengthens a person’s ability to tolerate stress and difficult feelings without resorting to numbing. It supports ownership by encouraging reflection on health risks, the legal consequences of vaping in Singapore, and the personal costs of secrecy. Crucially, counselling also reframes dependence as an attempt to cope rather than a moral failing. This shift opens the door to self-compassion, reduces blame, and sustains motivation for change. For those in rehabilitation programmes, therapy reinforces coping strategies, helps anticipate high-risk situations, and supports long-term recovery through resilience, awareness, and accountability.

The role of family and social support

Addiction rarely occurs in isolation. Families, partners, and peers can influence whether dependence deepens or begins to loosen its hold. Anger and punishment may push the behaviour underground, while calm listening and steady support create space for honesty.

This does not mean overlooking the risks. Boundaries and clear expectations are still important. What makes the difference is the reassurance that the individual is valued beyond their habit. Families that reduce pressure, encourage healthier outlets, and remain engaged in counselling or rehabilitation provide the conditions for recovery.

Resources for support in Singapore

If you or someone you care about is struggling with vaping or Kpods, these services can help:

• Restoring Peace Counselling & Consultancy Personalised counselling and psychotherapy for individuals, families, and couples coping with addiction, anxiety, and relational challenges. Private, confidential, and tailored to personal needs. WhatsApp: +65 8889 1848 | restoringpeace.com.sg

• Institute of Mental Health (IMH / NAMS) Rehabilitation with individual and group counselling, relapse prevention, and coping strategies. Email: quitvape@nhghealth.com.sg | for.sg/quitvapeappt

• WE CARE Community Services Counselling and support for addiction and recovery. Tel: 3165 8017 or 8391 3023 (WhatsApp) | help@wecare.org.sg | wecare.org.sg

• Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (SANA) Counselling, education, and support programmes. Tel: 6732 1122 | sana@sana.org.sg | sana.org.sg

• Thye Hua Kwan Moral Charities (THK FSCs) Family service centres across Singapore offering counselling and support. thkmc.org.sg

• Fei Yue Community Services Vape cessation programmes. Tel: 6485 8749 | feiyuevapecessation@fycs.org | fycs.org

• Health Promotion Board (HPB) – I Quit Programme A 28-day intervention with SMS nudges, tele-counselling, or face-to-face counselling at selected pharmacies. Tel: 1800 438 2000 | I Quit Programme

  
  

Seeking help is not about failure. It is about finding safer ways to cope, and building support around change.

Moving beyond vaping dependence

The rise of Kpods shows that vaping is no longer a minor habit but a significant public health concern. The legal consequences are severe, but the personal costs of dissociation and disconnection may be even greater.

Counselling helps to reframe dependence, shifting the question from “Why can’t you quit?” to “What are you escaping from, and how else can that need be met?” Families and loved ones play a vital role by offering safety, encouragement, and consistent presence.

Dependence can feel like isolation, but recovery is most possible when compassion, counselling, and connection come together. No one has to face it alone.

Restoring Peace is a private mental health centre offering counselling and psychotherapy for individuals, couples, families and groups facing challenges such as trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and relational issues. Learn more at www.restoringpeace.com.sg or WhatsApp us at +65 8889 1848. For updates and resources, join our Telegram group: https://t.me/restoringpeace

Additional Read:

Overcoming Anticipatory Anxiety

Understanding and Managing Health Anxiety

Overcoming Trauma through Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy

References

Channel News Asia. (2024, September 22). Commentary: Vaping among teens is rising, and the mental health consequences are serious. Channel News Asia. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/vaping-youth-teens-mental-health-addiction-depression-anxiety-4534956

HealthXchange. (2025). Kpods: What parents and youths need to know. HealthXchange.sg. https://www.healthxchange.sg/teen/parenting-tips/Kpod

National Library of Medicine. (2022). Vaping and mental health: A scoping review. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, Article 9195082. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9195082/

Newport Institute. (2023). The link between vaping and mental health in young adults. Newport Institute. https://www.newportinstitute.com/resources/co-occurring-disorders/vaping-and-mental-health/

Singapore Government. (2025). Stop vaping: Support for vapers and families. gov.sg. https://www.gov.sg/stopvaping-support-vapers

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