Most people can learn to control their drinking. What if you could be a moderate drinker, too?
Alcohol gets you into trouble every now and then. But AA and complete abstinence aren't for you. Is it possible to control your drinking?
Moderation counseling can help.
Alcohol Moderation Success Stories
Greg
When Greg began counseling, he was regularly going on drinking binges with his friends that sometimes led to blackouts. His fiance was fed up and ready to call off the engagement. After a short round of counseling, Greg was able to socialize with his friends without blacking out. His 3-day bachelor party in Las Vegas was free of negative consequences. Greg and his fiance reported a much deeper connection by the end of the process: Greg felt that his fiance respected him more, and his fiance felt that trust had been restored.
Amy
When Amy began counseling, she was locked in a chronic pattern of secretively drinking vodka at night to deal with the pain of past trauma. Her husband was threatening divorce, which led her to drink more. By the time counseling was completed, Amy had achieved abstinence from alcohol using healthy coping skills to deal with urges and cravings to drink. She began to work with a trauma therapist to resolve deeper issues from childhood. Her husband renewed his commitment to their marriage.
Mike
When Mike began counseling, he struggled to moderate his intake while entertaining clients. A successful salesman, Mike felt immense pressure to show his clients a good time by overindulging with them in expensive scotch and 3-martini lunches. He could tell that heavy drinking was affecting his health and productivity. After completing a brief course of counseling, Mike mastered the art of wining and dining his clients without ruining his body. His productivity improved, and his quarterly profit margin increased.
Scott
When Scott began counseling, he was ashamed by multiple avoidance behaviors: drinking, gambling, drug use, and extramarital affairs. When Scott was being "good", he felt like a great husband and father. When Scott was being "bad", he felt like a fraud. After a course of weekly counseling, Scott began to face the fears that drove his bad behavior. By practicing skills to tolerate anxiety, Scott no longer felt compelled to numb out or escape from his feelings through self-destructive behaviors.
Note: To protect client confidentiality, all stories above are composites of multiple clients we have worked with in our practice.
We would love to help you, too.
Alcohol Moderation Counseling for Immediate and Lasting Change.
A program where you are powerful - not powerless.
Traditional treatment programs focus on problem drinkers being powerless. Moderation counseling is an approach that empowers you to make changes that fit with your values. We guide you towards the path that is a good fit for you. Our moderation approach to drinking gives you the ability to choose among several strategies to find the best fit. We work with you to set, reach, and maintain a healthy relationship with alcohol by providing personalized feedback throughout the process.
Troubleshoot your game plan with counselors who care.
We specialize at recommending self-directed strategies that build on your strengths. If you don't want to "hit rock bottom", we'll help you with strategies that work. We offer strategies based on your strengths. For most problem drinkers, it is possible to regain control. We have extensive experience providing alcohol moderation counseling to people with problem drinking. You can stop the cycle of addictive behavior. It doesn't have to involve rehab, AA, or even a lifetime of abstinence.
Get value from every consultation.
Our approach helps explore options for the best moderation strategies for you so you can have the life you want to live. At your first consultation, you can expect to meet with a skilled counselor who will understand what is not working in your life. Next, using behavioral science and evidence-based research, your counselor will offer a menu of choices to help you achieve your goals.
You determine what works for you.
We offer you a menu of options based on your preferences. You choose the path that best accommodates your lifestyle. At your first consultation, you will receive immediate feedback and a plan of action. Your counselor will pilot the game plan with you as you try it out. Each consultation will offer a range of strategies to ensure your personal success.
Frequently asked questions about alcohol moderation counseling:
Q. What happens at the first consultation?
Initial intake consultations are generally scheduled for 80-minutes. Your counselor will carefully review your intake paperwork prior to meeting with you. The first part of the meeting will focus on understanding how alcohol is creating problems in your life. Your counselor will then spend time assessing relevant background information. In the final part of the meeting, your counselor will offer you a menu of options based on your goals. Your recommendations will include a variety of options, including continuing with counseling, trying out strategies on your own, or pursuing other behavior change resources.
Q. Do you believe in AA?
We believe that 12-step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous, Alanon, Smart Recovery, and Refuge Recovery can provide tremendous social support. However, we do not believe that 12-step groups are a replacement for individual treatment. The efficacy rates of 12-step groups are difficult to establish and controversial. If you are currently in the program, we are happy to support your recovery as experienced 12-step facilitators. The bottom line is that we view AA as a form of social support rather than clinical treatment.
Q. What if I'm really an alcoholic?
We There is no diagnosis of "alcoholism" in medicine. Doctors diagnose Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) when alcohol consumption negatively impacts multiple life domains. If you are concerned about problem drinking, then we will first determine the TYPE of problem you are facing in order to identify specific solutions. If you have a severe Alcohol Use Disorder, we will walk you through a series of recommendations based on up-to-date research.
Q. What if my partner wants to join me for a session?
If you feel that it would be beneficial to have a collateral session with your partner, then you and your counselor will discuss what that might look like prior to meeting. Partners and family members can provide invaluable support as collaterals in the process of behavior change. We do not, however, offer couples counseling. Why? Because YOU are our main focus. If your partner would like to attend your initial intake session, be sure to notify our Intake Coordinator when you request your appointment.
Q. What if my partner, family member, or friend contacts you?
We can neither confirm nor deny your participation in therapy to an outsider without your written consent. This is to protect your privacy. Your right to privacy and discretion is extremely important to us.
Q. What if my partner, family member, or friend is working with a counselor on your team?
Our counseling team is dedicated to maintaining your privacy when you go through the counseling process. Information you share will never be disclosed to a counselor on our team without your written authorization for release of information from your counselor to another.
Q. Are you going to tell me I need medication?
There are many behavioral interventions and strategies available to those who want to moderate their drinking or cope with stress. Some clients find that medication assisted treatment helps reduce their problem drinking. We will always make you aware of medication options if there is a possibility that this could help. It is up to you whether or not you want to seek out medications as a form of support.
Q. Do you treat issues other than alcohol abuse?
Yes. In addition to treating alcohol problems, we also provide treatment for depression, drug addiction recovery, anger management, anxiety, relationship difficulties, work stress, impulse control disorders, and relational trauma. We help family members who are worried about their loved one's alcohol abuse. If you are unsure whether we deal with your particular issue, please text our Intake Coordinator at (312) 715-8234 to get started.
Q. Why can't I figure this out on my own? I've never seen a counselor before for anything.
The majority of clients who come to us for alcohol moderation counseling have never seen a counselor before. Our clients are proactive, motivated, and successful in multiple areas of life. It is extremely common to be successful in life while struggling with alcohol. We view alcohol moderation counseling as an investment in your continued life success.
Q. How do I get started?
You can schedule an appointment by clicking on this link. Our Intake Coordinator will answer your questions and match you with the best counselor to meet your needs.