Drinking

Support to change your drinking

Drinking over and above the amount we’d really like can create a lot of shame. It might be that you’re having a couple of glasses more than you’d like at dinner, but it seems to be becoming a bit of a pattern.

• It might be that on nights out you’re drinking more than you want, perhaps bingeing by ‘saving up’ alcohol credits not drinking in the week and then going over what you’d prefer at the weekend.
• Perhaps you feel trapped in a repeating cycle of drinking too much, waking up regretful and with good intentions to change, but by lunchtime, mid-afternoon, these have all gone out the window.

It can feel hard, lonely and isolating changing our drinking, particularly if we feel we’re the only ones experiencing difficulties with drinking. We might start to lose our confidence in ourselves, feel bad about who we are and what we’re doing, and feel like we’re letting other people down. Our esteem might dip, we might doubt our abilities and worth as partners, parents, friends and lovers. Neurodivergence can bring added challenges.

Deep down whilst we might know we need to change in some way, we might also be afraid of what that might mean for us.

• We might wonder who we are without a drink, or whether we’re still going to be liked and accepted if we’re drinking differently to how we used to.
• We might be worried about how we’ll relax, unwind and have fun.
• We might wonder how we’ll handle family events, special occasions and holidays.
• Perhaps we’re worried whether people will still want to socialise with us, or date us.
• We might wonder how we’re going to fit in when it seems like everyone around us is drinking.

Truth is, if you’re feeling any of these things, you wouldn’t be the first, and for sure you won’t be the last. All these fears and questions are completely normal, and they can really hold us back. If you feel stuck but want to change your drinking, know that change is possible.

Contact me for a confidential, judgement- and shame-free chat about what kind of support you’re looking for.

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As a registered BACP member, I work within the BACP Ethical Framework

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