Counselling For Alcohol Addiction | Eleos Counselling West Sussex

Statistics and Facts

Over 600,000 people in England are dependent on alcohol, yet only 18% receive treatment each year.

Over 20,000 deaths annually

Alcohol contributes to over 20,000 deaths annually in the UK, making it one of the leading preventable causes of harm.

 

One in five adults

One in five adults regularly drinks at levels that increase their long-term health risks.

Alcohol-related hospital admissions

Alcohol-related hospital admissions have risen to over one million per year, placing huge pressure on the NHS.

Liver disease deaths

Liver disease deaths have increased by more than 20% in the last five years.

Highest binge drinking rates in Europe.

Young adults in the UK experience some of the highest binge drinking rates in Europe.

Violent crime

Alcohol is linked to over 39% of all violent crime, including domestic abuse and antisocial behaviour.

Trauma

People with trauma histories are up to four times more likely to develop alcohol dependence.

Numb emotional pain

In line with Gabor Maté’s work, many individuals drink not to “feel good” but to numb emotional pain rooted in early stress, neglect, or disconnection.

Alcohol Addiction Counselling West Sussex — Eleos Counselling

A Supportive Space to Understand Your Relationship With Alcohol

Alcohol addiction counselling West Sussex offers a private, steady, and compassionate space to explore your relationship with drinking. Although many people try to “cut back” on their own, alcohol dependence often carries emotional, physical, and relational pressures that become difficult to manage without support. Alcohol addiction therapy West Sussex helps you understand what sits beneath the drinking pattern, and it gives you room to slow down long enough to notice what is really happening inside. Because alcohol affects mood, sleep, and decision-making, therapy creates the stability needed to gradually rebuild confidence and control.

Many people start by searching for alcohol counselling near me when their drinking has begun to affect work, health, or relationships. Others look for alcohol addiction counselling near me after a partner, colleague, or GP expresses concern. Whatever brings you here, therapy offers a calm, grounded environment where you do not have to justify your behaviour or hide your pain. Instead, you are met with understanding. Moreover, counselling gives you a clearer sense of choice, especially when drinking feels like the only way to cope with stress, loneliness, trauma, or overwhelming emotion.

Infographic showing the top hazards of excessive and binge drinking in the UK, including liver disease, cancer risk, mental health deterioration, and aggression — Eleos Counselling West Sussex.”

How Alcohol Misuse Counselling Helps You Gain Clarity

When people begin alcohol misuse counselling West Sussex, they often describe a sense of shame or frustration. However, change becomes more possible when you can talk openly without judgement. Through this process you begin forming a healthier relationship with yourself, which then reduces the pull towards alcohol. Because Eleos Counselling is committed to trauma-informed practice, every session moves at your pace. Although many people fear losing part of their identity when they address drinking, psychotherapy helps you reconnect with the parts of your life that have been overshadowed. As clarity grows, drinking gradually becomes less compelling, and emotional steadiness becomes easier to maintain.

TOP HAZARDS OF BINGE DRINKING

Understanding Alcohol Dependence and Emotional Pressure

Recognising When Drinking Has Become a Problem

People often reach out for problem drinking counselling UK when alcohol begins to take a toll on their wellbeing. Drinking may have started as a way to relax or feel more confident, yet over time it can become a cycle that is difficult to break. Because alcohol affects the brain’s reward system, it can make stress feel louder and solutions harder to see. Nevertheless, therapy helps separate the emotional need from the physical pattern, which allows you to regain control in a realistic and sustainable way. By exploring the story behind the drinking, you begin understanding how stress, trauma, perfectionism, or loneliness have shaped your choices.

 

Why Emotional Triggers Matter

Since drinking is woven into many UK social settings, people often feel unsure whether their behaviour “counts” as a problem. However, alcohol dependence counselling West Sussex focuses on how drinking impacts your life rather than how much you consume. Therapy helps you recognise the moments when alcohol shifts from a coping tool into something that dominates decisions or relationships. Because change relies on awareness, sessions gently highlight the triggers that push drinking into the foreground. As this becomes clearer, you gain the ability to pause rather than act on impulse.

Understanding Binge Drinking Patterns

Binge drinking counselling West Sussex offers support for people who swing between periods of control and periods of excess. These cycles can be exhausting, especially when you work hard during the week and feel burnt out by the weekend. Therapy helps you understand the emotional build-up that leads to binge episodes, while also offering strategies for grounding yourself before things escalate. Furthermore, exploring these patterns in a safe environment reduces shame and increases self-compassion, which is one of the strongest foundations for change. Through this work you gradually develop healthier responses to stress and emotional overwhelm.

How Addiction Counselling West Sussex Supports Your Recovery

Exploring the Root Causes of Alcohol Use

Addiction counselling West Sussex provides a structured yet flexible approach to making meaningful changes in your life. Instead of focusing only on stopping drinking, therapy looks at why alcohol became important in the first place. This wider view helps you understand the emotional, relational, and psychological factors that keep the cycle going. Although many people feel they should simply “have more willpower,” therapy shows that alcohol is often tied to unmet needs that have gone unspoken for years. Once these needs are acknowledged, healthier ways of coping become possible.

Working With Experienced BACP Therapists

Working with Eleos Counselling gives you access to experienced BACP-registered therapists who understand how alcohol affects thinking, motivation, mood, and relationships. Because therapy is confidential, you can speak honestly about the parts of your drinking that feel frightening or out of control. Clients often notice that, over time, cravings reduce as emotional stability increases. Additionally, therapy strengthens decision-making, allowing you to respond to stress differently instead of relying on alcohol. Many people feel surprised by how grounding these sessions become, especially when they have spent years hiding their struggles.

Building Long-Term Emotional and Physical Stability

Alcohol support counselling UK also recognises the physical impact of drinking. Although psychotherapy cannot replace medical advice, it works alongside any medical or recovery plan you choose to follow. Sessions explore sleep difficulties, mood swings, energy crashes, and the internal conflicts that emerge when you try to cut down. As motivation grows, therapy helps you build healthier routines that strengthen long-term recovery. Moreover, you learn how to manage setbacks without feeling like you have failed. This steady, compassionate approach allows you to create meaningful change while maintaining dignity and control.

If You Are in Crisis

If you feel at immediate risk or unable to keep yourself safe, please contact Samaritans (116 123), attend your local A&E, or speak with your GP or NHS 111. Crisis support is available 24/7.

Related Support Options in West Sussex

If you’re exploring recovery from alcohol use, you may also find these pages helpful. Many people look into nearby support, such as alcohol addiction counselling in Petworth, alcohol support in Billingshurst, or options for online addiction therapy across West Sussex. If stress, trauma, or difficult life events contribute to your drinking, you may also want to read more about substance misuse counselling or trauma and PTSD therapy.

Frequently Asked Questions – Alcohol Addiction Counselling at Eleos Counselling West Sussex

What can I expect in my first counselling session?

Your first session is a calm, steady conversation about what has been happening for you. You won’t be pushed to share anything before you’re ready. We move at your pace, helping you feel safe enough to explore your relationship with alcohol without judgement or pressure.

Do I need to have stopped drinking before coming to therapy?

No. Many clients come to us while still drinking. Therapy supports you in understanding the reasons behind your alcohol use and helps you build the emotional stability needed for change. You do not need to be sober to begin the process.

Is alcohol addiction counselling confidential?

Yes. Everything you share remains confidential within BACP ethical guidelines. The only exceptions involve risk of serious harm. You will always be informed if a safeguarding step is needed.

How does therapy help with cravings or binge drinking?

Therapy helps you understand the emotional triggers behind cravings or binge episodes. As your awareness grows, you gain stronger internal tools to pause, reflect, and choose differently. Over time, cravings often reduce as emotional steadiness increases.

Can counselling help if my drinking is connected to trauma or stress?

Yes. Much of our work draws on trauma-informed principles. Many people, as Gabor Maté suggests, use alcohol to ease emotional pain when safer coping strategies were never taught or available. Therapy helps you heal these deeper wounds so alcohol becomes less necessary.

What if I feel ashamed or embarrassed about my drinking?

Shame around alcohol use is extremely common. At Eleos Counselling, you are not judged. You are met with compassion and understanding. Many clients discover that speaking honestly reduces shame and makes change feel more possible.

Is online therapy suitable for men?

Yes. Online male therapy offers the same professionalism and confidentiality as in-person sessions. It’s ideal for men with busy schedules, mobility issues, or those living in rural areas of West Sussex. Sessions take place via secure video link, allowing you to speak privately from home. Many clients find that online therapy makes it easier to open up and stay consistent, especially when balancing work and family commitments.

How long will I need counselling for?

There is no fixed timeline. Some people come for short-term support, while others benefit from longer-term work, especially when trauma or life stressors are involved. We review your progress together so counselling always reflects your needs.

Will my therapist tell me to stop drinking completely?

No. We don’t impose targets or demands. Instead, we work with you to understand what you want to change and what feels possible. Our role is to support your goals, not dictate them.

Can I attend counselling if I’m unsure whether I have an alcohol problem?

Yes. Many clients come to explore their concerns long before they feel “certain” something is wrong. If your drinking is affecting your wellbeing, relationships, mood, or confidence, therapy can offer clarity and support at any stage.

Trusted UK Alcohol Support Resources

These organisations offer reliable guidance, emotional support, and practical help for anyone struggling with alcohol misuse, alcohol dependence, or alcohol-related mental and physical health issues.

1. Alcohol Change UK – Information & Harm Reduction

Alcohol Change UK provides research-based information, practical advice, and tools to help people cut down or stop drinking. The charity also links to local alcohol services and national support networks.

2. Drinkaware – Education & Self-Help Tools

Drinkaware offers clear guidance on alcohol misuse, health risks, and dependency. Resources include unit calculators, self-assessment tools, and tips for reducing drinking safely.

3. NHS Alcohol Support – Treatment & Medical Guidance

NHS Alcohol Support provides free services including brief interventions, detox pathways, and mental health treatment. GPs can also refer individuals to local alcohol teams.

4. Change Grow Live (CGL) – National Alcohol Services

Change Grow Live delivers alcohol and drug support programmes across the UK. They offer counselling, health assessments, peer support, and harm-reduction advice.

5. Turning Point – Alcohol & Mental Health Support

Turning Point provides structured support for alcohol dependence, including one-to-one work, group support, and crisis services. Many programmes address co-occurring mental and physical health issues.

6. SMART Recovery UK – Coping Skills & Group Support

SMART Recovery UK offers science-based strategies for managing cravings and building motivation. Free online and in-person meetings run nationwide.

7. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – Peer Support & Community

Alcoholics Anonymous UK hosts free, confidential 12-step meetings across the country. Sessions are available in person, online, and by phone.

8. Al-Anon Family Groups – Support for Loved Ones

Al-Anon Family Groups support relatives, partners, and friends affected by someone else’s drinking. Meetings take place online and in local communities.

9. British Liver Trust – Alcohol-Related Health Information

British Liver Trust provides guidance, helplines, and resources for anyone affected by alcohol-related liver conditions, including fatty liver, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.

Begin Your Journey Toward Balance

To learn more or to book your first session, please contact us today.
We’re here to help you move beyond survival and toward a life defined by calm, clarity, and resilience.

Eleos Counselling, West Sussex
Phone (landline): 01403 900079
Mobile: 07854 602050
Email: info@eleoscounselling.com
Address: Eleos Counselling, Little East Street, Billingshurst, RH14 9NP
Website: www.eleoscounselling.co.uk

Tony Larkin FDA,BA (Hons) MBACP (Acc)

I’m Tony Larkin, a qualified psychotherapist and counsellor based in West Sussex. As the founder of Eleos Counselling, I provide a safe, supportive space for people facing challenges such as anxiety, addiction, perfectionism, trauma, and relationship difficulties. With years of experience, I combine professional knowledge with compassion, helping clients find new perspectives, rediscover confidence, and build healthier connections. My approach is rooted in empathy and the belief that lasting change comes through understanding, self-compassion, and support

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Office

Eleos Counselling Ltd    The Workshop, Little East Street, Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 9NP

Phone Number

(01403)900097

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