shelly009

I think it was because of seeing a counseller over the last 4 months that I was able to make the decision to quit drinking. I really wasnt liking myself, it was quite a vicious cycle of self loathing, drinking to mask it and then repeat.

After being in therapy and working through problems in myself I realise that I no longer feel the need to drink as much as I used to... that said, I am a binge drinker with only a few days sobriety... so time will tell. But I really think that learning to love myself gave me a really good reason to start taking care of myself.

So I guess I am asking.. for those of you who did utilize therapy during your recovery... did you find it made things a little easier?

tommyk

Yes.

hopeful999

I am about to use an online counselor. I don't want to make an advertisement here, but I do think individual counseling is KEY, for those of us who can afford it, and maybe some online counseling is even more affordable and easier to fit in your schedule.

I hope it will be useful. I willl post my experiences. I think that the reasons why we all drink (in excess) are quite individual. We need to get to the bottom of it, eh?

shelly009

Eh.. are you Canadian? Ha haa, yes definitely. It was funny for me because my counsellor is actually an addictions counsellor which I chose for my background childhood with a mother, father and sister who are addicts.

Anyway, we never talked about my addiction because she said we needed to focus on what was causing my problems... she was right because after 4 months of therapy, I really feel like I want a better healthier me. I think I deserve it.

Dime

Absolutely, I find they have insight that not only is helpful for alcoholism/addictions but they also will help with the rest of your life.

least

I go to an alcohol/addictions counselor and she's wonderful. It's helped me a lot to have a place to vent and get her insight on problems and such. Makes it easier to not drink cause I have a place to go to safely vent my issues without drinking over them.

CarolD

When my psychiatrist diagnosed me with situational depression
he suggested AA I went..I quit drinking..I recovered...
I have not required the services of a mental health specialist since.

However....I would begin again if I felt myself slideing back
into the dark hole of depression...

All my best as you find your way

flutter

Yes, as soon as I finally decided to quit for good, I started calling counselors near me. I participated in 5 months of 2x a week counseling with an addiction specialized psychologist. Very little of it had to do with drinking.. and it was immensely helpful.

hendershot

Therapy as a facet of recovery as been helpful to me. But in and of itself is not enough to keep me sober.

Chamabama

I am currently in therapy and it is very helpful to me. Brutal at times, but being honest with ones self often is. I'm really glad I have the opportunity to work on myself with a caring but truthful helper.

jamdls

I was in therapy before I got sober for years, I had a lot of issues, and alcohol while initially masking the issues eventually made the issues much bigger and more painful. Funny thing since I've been sober my issues have been put away and buried as I should have done 30 yrs ago. I think everyone should have therapy at some point during their life, and I'm happy that your therapy is leading you to sobriety.