Alcohol Use
Are you struggling with Alcohol use?
Is alcohol standing in the way of a fulfilling life? Here are some signs and symptoms of problem alcohol use:
You’ve tried to cut down before but can’t. You’ve made rules around alcohol that you can’t stick to- “I’m only going to drink on weekends”, “I’m only going to drink Mon, Wed, Fri after 5pm”.
You consistently consume more alcohol than you intend to or for longer periods of time- “I’m only going to stay out for 1 hour and have 2 drinks tonight” but end up staying out all night closing the bar having 6+ drinks.
A lot of your time is spent drinking or recovering from drinking.
Work, home, or school life is suffering because of your alcohol use.
Your alcohol use is causing problems in relationships. People that care about you may have expressed concern for your drinking.
Drinking is your main hobby and you’ve given up other activities to drink.
You’ve put yourself in dangerous situations when drinking such as drinking and driving or “blacking out.”
You’ve developed a high tolerance for alcohol and need more to get the same effect.
You continue to use alcohol even though you may have a physical health condition or mental health condition that is exacerbated by your alcohol use.
After a night of drinking you drink more the next day to get rid of hangover/withdrawal symptoms.
If you are struggling with 2 or more of these symptoms, it may indicate problem alcohol use. Whether you know you have a problem with alcohol, or are unsure, we can explore where your relationship with alcohol stands and make adjustments to live a happier, healthier life!
“The key question is: are we aware, are we conscious, are we making deliberate choices; or are we driven by unconscious pain?”
— Gabor Maté
“The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety- it’s connection.”
How I can help
While some providers would require complete abstinence while in therapy or treatment, I do not. When it comes to addressing substance use, I maintain a harm reduction approach unless YOU choose to be sober.
Harm reduction is putting a set of practical strategies in place to reduce negative consequences. It focuses on positive change and on working with people without judgement, coercion, discrimination, or requiring that people stop using a substance or behavior as a precondition of support. I do not view addiction and substance use from a criminal justice perspective but as a public health issue, therefore, I do not perform any court evaluations, or reporting to probation officers, lawyers, or employers.
The definition I like best for recovery is by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Recovery is “a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives and strive to reach their full potential”.
Generally, our main goal is to reduce PROBLEM substance use unless you choose otherwise. Most times the use of a substance is a symptom of a much bigger problem. Therefore, we will dig deeper into the root cause and function of your alcohol use while also focusing on changing behaviors to reduce harm, learning new coping mechanisms, prevention planning, and more:
Determine if alcohol use is problematic by getting to know your unique relationship with alcohol
Learn new skills to deal with life’s stressors without problem alcohol use
Learn how to manage difficult thoughts and feelings including: negative self-talk, fear, anxiety, unworthiness, guilt, shame, etc.
Address underlying trauma or difficult life experiences that may be contributing to problem alcohol use
Gain accountability
Create a community of support
Repair existing relationships and develop new relationships that are healthier and more fulfilling
Be your authentic self instead of using alcohol to cover up insecurities
Other Resources
Even if you are not ready for therapy, I encourage you to reach out for help. Click here for a list of community support groups available to you. Here are a few options:
Alcoholics Anonymous
“Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of people who come together to solve their drinking problem. It doesn’t cost anything to attend A.A. meetings. There are no age or education requirements to participate. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about their drinking problem. A.A.’s primary purpose is to help alcoholics to achieve sobriety.”
You do not have to be sober to attend a meeting. The only requirement is a desire to be sober. https://www.aa.org/
SMART Recovery
“Self-Management And Recovery Training (SMART) is a global community of mutual-support groups. At meetings, participants help one another resolve problems with any addiction (to drugs or alcohol or to activities such as gambling or over-eating). Participants find and develop the power within themselves to change and lead fulfilling and balanced lives guided by our science-based and sensible 4-Point Program®.” https://www.smartrecovery.org/
Moderation Management
“A secular non-profit organization providing peer-run support groups for anyone who would like to reduce their alcohol consumption. MM was founded in 1994 to create an alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous and similar addiction recovery groups for non-dependent problem drinkers who do not necessarily want to stop drinking, but moderate their amount of alcohol consumed to reduce its detrimental consequences.” https://moderation.org/
Refuge Recovery
“Refuge Recovery is a Buddhist-oriented, non-theistic recovery program that does not ask anyone to believe anything, only to trust the process and do the hard work of recovery. In fact, no previous experience or knowledge of Buddhism is required. Recovery is possible, and this program provides a systematic approach to treating and recovering from all forms of addiction. When sincerely practiced, the program can ensure a full recovery from addiction and a life-long sense of well-being and happiness.” https://www.refugerecovery.org/
“Addiction begins with solving a problem, and the problem is that of human pain, emotional pain. The first question is not why the addiction; it's why the pain?”
-Gabor Maté
Stop Struggling and Start Living
If you’re ready to get started click the button below and fill out the online form. For more information about what therapy will look like click here.