Alcohol Abuse Counseling in Dallas, Texas

Alcohol Addiction

 

Addiction to alcohol is a complex problem to treat, and what causes someone to become addicted varies from person to person. Addiction itself varies as well. One person’s struggle can look very different from someone else’s. However, alcoholism does come with a few common signs and symptoms, such as the following:

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• Continuing to drink at a party even after others have stopped

• Going to a social event just to drink

• Feeling you can’t relax or socialize unless you have a drink

• Needing to drink more overtime to get drunk

• Poor performance in work or school due to drinking

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There are many possible risk factors for alcoholism, from past trauma to social pressure. For this reason, recovering from alcoholism isn’t as easy as choosing to never pick up a drink again. You need to know why you keep coming back. Quitting drinking is only the first step; staying sober may be where your greatest challenge lies.

 

When you see me for alcohol addiction at Therapy With Abby, I’ll work with you on what led to your alcohol addiction in the first place. We’ll address the underlying trauma, mental health issues, or whatever else has driven your addiction so you can stay sober and healthy.

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How Therapy Can Help With Alcohol Addiction

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Some people believe the only way to treat alcoholism is to go to Alcoholics Anonymous, get a sponsor, and work the steps. It’s a good strategy that works for many people. However, it doesn’t take into account the trauma, mental illness, or other factors in your life over which you have little to no control. Without treating your underlying risk factors, you’re likely to relapse and end up back where you started.

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When someone has substance abuse and mental health disorders at the same time, it’s called a dual diagnosis. There are many mental health-related issues that drive alcohol addiction. They include:

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• Disorders like major depressive disorder and anxiety

• Past trauma, such as physical, emotional, or sexual abuse

• Domestic violence

• Low self-esteem, peer pressure, or a desire to fit in

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Many people with addictions don’t realize they have an underlying reason for drinking. The connection between trauma and substance abuse is especially strong since alcohol and other substances have a numbing effect. It can be easy to think you’re drinking just to have a good time when what you really want is a break from emotional pain.

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What I’ll help you do in alcohol addiction therapy is learn what drives your addiction. Once we know that, we can target it with interventions that could include anything from mindfulness and meditation to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). It depends on the type of problem, severity, and how long you’ve been struggling with it.

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Staying sober from alcohol is no easy feat, and I know therapy might not be the only thing you need. As I get to know you and we begin working on a treatment plan, I’ll connect you to other resources that might be helpful in your recovery. These could include 12-step groups or other types of supports. If you need a higher level of care, like inpatient treatment, I can help with referrals, too.

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Is Alcohol Addiction Counseling Right For Me?

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I individualize my approach for every client, which means I respect and seek to understand where you are right now in your recovery journey. I know you’ve been through some tough, painful times before entering my door. I don’t treat substance abuse on its own, but rather the mental health conditions or difficult life events that accompany your addiction or led to it, to begin with.

 

I help clients maintain sobriety once they’ve achieved it.

If you’re completing another form of treatment, such as an IOP or residential program, or if you’ve already completed one, therapy with me may be a good fit for you. Not sure I’m a good fit? Give me a call and we can talk about your unique situation together.

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Does it sound like alcohol addiction therapy at Therapy With Abby is right for you? If so, or if you have any questions about my practice, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I look forward to helping you succeed as you continue along your recovery journey.