Session 1

Alcohol
 Goals of session
 Help clients understand that alcohol is a
substance whose use can jeopardize
recovery.
 Help clients identify the situations in which

they are most likely to drink.

 Help clients plan for those situations so they

can remain abstinent.

1. Understand the Effects of
Alcohol on the Brain
 Alcohol affects the rational, reasoning part of the
brain.
 Drinking alcohol lessens people’s inhibitions and

makes them feel less self-conscious, more sociable,

and more sexual.
 Some people will have to address the fact that they

have used alcohol to make themselves feel

comfortable in social situations. And for a time, these
activities are uncomfortable without alcohol.
2. Be Alert for External & Internal
Triggers for Drinking
 External Triggers: Advertisements, movies, and TV
shows link drinking with being happy, popular, and
successful; colleagues, friends, and family members
with whom they used to drink & pass by bars or
liquor stores that they used to frequent.
 Internal Triggers: Depression, anxiety, and loneliness;

facing emotional fallout from quitting other

substances
3. Prepare for Situations Involving
Alcohol
 Though alcohol has been an integral part to
celebrations (eg. parties, weddings), think about
ways of celebrating that do not involve alcohol.
 If you already know that being around with others

who are drinking will make you feel left out, you
should avoid such situations until your recovery is
well underway.
Go over handout

RP 1– Alcohol
08/05/21
08/05/21
Focused Discussion
 Who are the people, and what are the places,
situations, and mental and emotional states which act
as triggers for you?
 Recall a time when you saw that someone else’s
judgment was affected by drinking. What does this tell
you about their ability to make smart decisions about
recovery while they still are drinking?
 How can you prepare for situations in which you
formerly used alcohol? What are those situations that
you need to avoid?
 What changes can you make in your celebrations with
family & friends to remain abstinent?
Open Discussion
 What’s on your mind?
Homework
 To prepare for abstinence, use your journal
or pages 6 and 7 of your Client’s Treatment
Companion to solidify your plans.
 Write down situations that pose the greatest

threat to your sobriety and, for each

situation, detail three alternatives to help you
avoid drinking.