Alcohol Counselling
You are not alone
Alcohol is the most common addiction we see — and one of the most misunderstood. It's estimated that over 600,000 adults in England are alcohol dependent, yet only around 1 in 5 of them ever access treatment[1]. Many more sit in the space in between: not "dependent" in a clinical sense, but drinking in a way that's quietly taking a toll on their health, relationships, or sense of control.
You don't have to hit rock bottom to get help. One of the most common things we hear from clients is "I didn't think it was bad enough to need counselling." Alcohol problems exist on a spectrum, and the earlier support starts, the easier change tends to be. Whether you're questioning your drinking for the first time, have tried to cut down before without success, or are in recovery and working hard to stay there, there's a place for you here.
Addiction doesnt always match the stereotypes - Many people delay getting help because they're picturing the most extreme version of addiction — and telling themselves "that's not me." But addiction exists on a wide spectrum, and the defining feature isn't how much you drink or how "bad" it looks from the outside. It's loss of control — finding that alcohol has started making decisions for you, rather than the other way around. If that feels familiar, it's worth talking about, regardless of how your drinking compares to anyone else's.
.png)
Counselling works — the evidence is strong. Structured psychological approaches, particularly CBT and Motivational Interviewing, are consistently shown to be effective[2], helping people reduce how much and how often they drink, and to stay engaged with treatment for longer. Motivational Interviewing in particular is well suited to alcohol work because it meets you exactly where you are — including if part of you isn't sure you want to change yet, which is completely normal and something we can work through together, not around.
Our approach draws on CBT, Person-Centred Counselling, and relapse prevention techniques and relational work around attachment and connection - it is tailored to you — some clients want to stop drinking altogether, others are working towards a healthier, more controlled relationship with alcohol. We'll explore what's driving the drinking (stress, trauma, social patterns, mental health, or often several of these together), build practical coping strategies for high-risk moments, and work at a pace that's sustainable for your life.
Above all, connection matters. Addiction thrives in isolation, and shame keeps people silent long after they need to be. Whatever brings you to this page, having someone to talk to who understands addiction — without judgement — is often the single most important part of recovery. That's true whether you come to see one of our team, or simply reach out to someone you trust.
Counselling & Psychotherapy Sessions are available:
In person at our Leamington Spa clinic
Online via Zoom
Daytime, evening, and weekend appointments
[Get in touch to arrange a confidential assessment session]
---
*[1] Estimates of alcohol-dependent adults and treatment access rates: NHS Digital / Estimates of alcohol dependent adults in England;
* [2] Treatment effectiveness evidence: Dove Medical Press, "Efficacy of CBT for substance use disorders."