When someone else’s drinking is affecting your life
When someone you care about is drinking in ways that worry you, it can be hard to know what will help. You may find yourself watching closely, trying to prevent problems, arguing about drinking, or questioning your own reactions.
Therapy can give you space to look at what’s happening, consider your options, and decide how you want to respond.
Support for you
When someone you love is drinking in ways that concern you, there are things you can do differently.
Counseling can help you look at the patterns around the drinking, change interactions that aren’t helping, and strengthen responses that may support healthier behavior. We can also help you think through boundaries and what you need for yourself.
The focus is on supporting your wellbeing and the health of your relationship.
Frequently asked questions about counseling for loved ones
Q. Can counseling help if my loved one isn’t ready to change their drinking?
Yes. There are evidence-based ways to change how you respond to someone else’s drinking that may support healthier patterns and create more room for change. Counseling can also help you decide what you need for yourself.
Q. Can you help if the person I’m concerned about isn’t my partner?
Yes. We work with partners, family members, and friends who are affected by someone else’s drinking.
Q. What if my loved one is also seeing a therapist at Chicago Compass Counseling?
Your counseling remains separate and confidential. If coordination between therapists could be helpful, we’ll talk with you about what information may be shared and make sure the appropriate permissions are in place.