Alcohol counseling helps those struggling with alcoholism to overcome their addiction, while learning healthy, new means to cope with daily life. For most alcoholics, recovery is a lifelong process, made successful alongside the support of friends, family and other recovering alcoholics.
One-on-one Counseling
Individual sessions with addiction counselors are perhaps the most common type of recovery counseling. One-on-one counseling generally occurs on a regular basis; sometimes up to 7 days a week. During each appointment, therapists and patients discuss specifics pertaining to the root of the addiction, different trigger types, and additional factors that play a part in the individual’s addiction. Sessions are also a platform to plan out strategies and techniques to help ensure a successful and long-lasting sobriety.
Root Causes
People become addicted to drugs and alcohol for a variety of reasons. Determining the roots of the addiction is imperative to the recovery process, as these factors often serve as triggers for relapse and abuse. Common factors include stress, childhood abuse and traumatic events. Mental illnesses such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and personality disorders may also be to blame in some cases of alcoholism. More often than not, a combination of factors is to blame.
Trigger I.D.
Triggers are situations, behaviors and events that lead alcoholics to use. Identifying each patient’s trigger set is crucial in helping the addict avoid temptation while learning to cope with problem situations if and when they arise. Triggers are commonly associated with the root issues of the addiction.
Group Counseling
Group session provide alcoholics with the opportunity to share their feelings, goals and experiences with others in similar situations. These types of sessions help addicts understand that they are not alone in their struggles.
Family Counseling
Alcoholism is a disease that affects both the addict and surrounding family on a large scale. Family counseling works to rebuild relationships that have been damaged or lost due to the addiction. These sessions also help family members to better understand the disease while building healthy support for the addict on their path to alcoholism recovery.
