Alcohol Addiction Counselling Horsham | RH12 RH13 West Sussex| 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 Horsham – RH12 & RH13 West Sussex

Alcohol addiction counselling Horsham offers confidential, specialist support for individuals in RH12 and RH13 who are struggling with their relationship with alcohol. At Eleos Counselling, we understand that alcohol use is rarely just about drinking itself. Instead, it is often connected to stress, emotional pain, trauma, or long-standing coping patterns. Because of this, counselling focuses on understanding why alcohol has become important in your life and helping you move toward change with care, safety, and respect.

Whether you are drinking more than you would like, feeling stuck in repeated cycles, or worried about the impact alcohol is having on your relationships or health, alcohol addiction counselling in Horsham provides a calm, non-judgemental space to begin addressing these concerns.

Alcohol addiction counselling Horsham RH12 RH13 offering compassionate psychotherapy and counselling support for recovery and emotional healing<br />

How Alcohol Addiction Counselling in Horsham Can Help

Alcohol addiction counselling Horsham supports people at many different stages of change. Some clients want to stop drinking entirely, while others want to regain control or better understand what drives their alcohol use. Counselling helps by exploring emotional triggers, habits, and beliefs that maintain drinking patterns, while also building healthier ways to cope.

Through regular sessions, clients often begin to:

  • Recognise emotional or situational triggers for drinking

  • Reduce shame and self-criticism around alcohol use

  • Develop safer coping strategies for stress and overwhelm

  • Improve relationships affected by alcohol

  • Feel more confident and emotionally regulated

Importantly, alcohol addiction counselling in Horsham RH12 and RH13 is not about blame or pressure. Progress happens at your pace, guided by your goals and values.

Motivational quote about starting therapy for alcohol addiction, with calming sky imagery and symbols of commitment, focus, and recovery

Trauma-Informed Alcohol Addiction Counselling in West Sussex

At Eleos Counselling, alcohol addiction counselling Horsham is delivered through a trauma-informed approach. Many people develop problematic relationships with alcohol as a response to earlier life experiences, emotional neglect, loss, or chronic stress. From this perspective, alcohol use is understood as an attempt to cope rather than a personal failure.

Trauma-informed addiction counselling prioritises emotional safety, choice, and trust. Sessions are paced carefully, avoiding overwhelm, and always respecting your autonomy. This approach helps clients feel safer exploring difficult experiences that may sit beneath their drinking patterns.

Alongside this, Eleos Counselling works from a compassion-focused approach. Self-criticism and shame often keep addiction cycles in place. By developing self-compassion, clients learn to relate to themselves with greater kindness and understanding, especially during setbacks. Over time, this reduces internal pressure and supports more sustainable change.

 

Professional Qualifications and Addiction Expertise

Alcohol addiction counselling Horsham at Eleos Counselling is delivered by therapists who meet high professional and ethical standards. All practitioners are members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy(BACP), ensuring therapy is grounded in recognised ethical frameworks, confidentiality, and ongoing professional development.

In addition, Eleos Counselling therapists are also members of Addiction Professionals, the UK’s leading organisation for those working specifically with addictive behaviours. This reflects specialist knowledge beyond general counselling training.

Eleos Counselling has many years of experience helping clients with alcohol and substance-related addictions, including long-standing dependency and emotionally driven drinking. Because of this depth of experience, therapy integrates psychological understanding, addiction-specific insight, and trauma awareness rather than relying on surface-level strategies alone.

Alcohol Addiction Counselling Horsham RH12 RH13 – What to Expect

Sessions are offered in a confidential, supportive setting and may take place face-to-face in Horsham or online. Alcohol addiction counselling Horsham typically begins with an initial assessment where your goals, concerns, and history are explored collaboratively.

Counselling sessions are:

  • Confidential and professionally bound

  • Structured but flexible

  • Non-judgemental and supportive

  • Focused on long-term emotional change

Many clients attend weekly sessions initially, adjusting frequency as progress develops.

Related Alcohol Addiction Counselling Support in West Sussex

If you are exploring counselling for alcohol addiction in Horsham, West Sussex, it may be helpful to look at how support is offered in nearby areas. Some people find reassurance in comparing locations before deciding which setting feels most practical, discreet, or supportive for regular attendance.

You may wish to read more about alcohol addiction counselling across West Sussex, particularly if you are considering different locations or want a broader overview of how therapy is offered across the county.

You may also wish to read more about counselling for alcohol addiction in Billingshurst RH14, particularly if drinking has become linked with work stress, family pressure, or patterns of coping that feel difficult to shift without structured support.

Others explore counselling for alcohol addiction in Pulborough RH20, especially where alcohol use has been present for a longer period or where attempts to cut down have led to repeated cycles of stopping and starting.

If you are based closer to the coast, you may also find counselling for alcohol addiction in Littlehampton BN17 helpful, especially where drinking is affecting emotional wellbeing, relationships, or family life.

Each location page reflects the same professional standards, confidentiality, and compassionate approach, allowing you to choose the setting that best fits your circumstances.

Crisis & Immediate Safety Support

If you feel you might harm yourself, are thinking about suicide, or are in immediate danger:

  • In the UK: Call 999 immediately

  • Contact NHS urgent mental health services or your GP

  • If you’re in emotional distress: call Samaritans at 116 123 (free, 24/7)

  • For urgent support with alcohol withdrawal symptoms, contact your GP or local urgent care

These services are critical if you’re in crisis; counselling is not a substitute for immediate emergency care.

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.

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

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4 February 2026 Eleos Counselling Ltd All Rights Reserved.