Canadian Addiction Rehab A To Z On Alcohol Counseling | Page 6

ADDICTION COUNSELING
FOR ALCOHOLICS
• The counselor could talk to the person’s family to motivate him/her to change.
Counseling requires evaluating the types and severity of problems faced by the drinker
as well as problems caused to significant others. Since there are several therapeutic
approaches, the counselor needs to determine the approach that works best for the
victim in avoiding alcohol and preventing relapse. The earlier the help is sought, the
better.
• Counselor needs to motivate the drinker to stop alcohol consumption, make him
acknowledge the cues in the environment, learn to adopt healthy coping mechanisms to
maintain well-being and seek help from support groups.
• Cognitive behavioral, family and group therapies are effective in helping dependents
abstain from alcohol. Family members should be taught how to offer support to the
drinker and understand how it works, what is causing it and what can be done to stop
it. The person may not be able to resolve his alcohol issue alone. Counseling, family
support and environmental support all play a combined role in thwarting alcohol
consumption. The counselor needs to make sure the family and environment are not
reinforcing alcohol consumption.