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Alcohol Counseling

Alcohol counseling can help alcoholics overcome their dependence on alcohol and learn new, healthy ways to cope with life's struggles. Recovery is a lifelong process that is most successful when an addict has a support system of family, friends and other recovering addicts in place.

  1. Individual Counseling

    • One-on-one sessions with an addiction counselor are the most common form of alcohol counseling. Individual counseling occurs regularly. Patients may see their counselors three times a week, or even every day. During these sessions, patients and therapists discuss the root causes of addiction, triggers that lead to using alcohol, and other issues that contribute to the patient's addiction. The sessions are also used to discuss decision-making skills and strategies for maintaining sobriety.

    Root Causes of Alcoholism

    • Root causes of addiction vary from person to person. Uncovering the root causes of a person's alcoholism is a crucial step in the rehabilitation process, as those causes will also serve as "triggers" for alcohol abuse. Common root causes of alcoholism include traumatic events, stress and childhood abuse. Mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, personality disorders and schizophrenia can also lead to alcohol addiction. Often, a combination of underlying factors is to blame.

    Identifying Triggers

    • Triggers are events, behaviors and situations that lead an addict to relapse. Identifying the individual person's triggers is necessary so that the addict can avoid those situations and learn to deal with them when they arise. Common triggers for alcoholism include anxiety, boredom, depression, anger, criticism and crises. A person's triggers are often connected to the root causes of their addiction.

    Group Counseling

    • In group sessions, recovering alcoholics have the opportunity to share their experiences, goals and feelings with other recovering addicts. This type of group support helps patients realize they are not alone in their struggle with alcoholism. Getting the most out of group therapy means being open and honest. Offering as well as receiving loving support within the group is important.

    Family Counseling

    • Alcoholism affects the whole family. Family counseling helps families rebuild trust that has been lost or damaged because of the addiction. Family therapy sessions are also important for helping family members understand alcoholism and help the addict on his road to recovery. Because sobriety is often a lifelong struggle for alcoholics, family support adds valuable encouragement.

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