My relationship with alcohol is at the healthiest place it has ever been. There is more awareness, compassion, lightness and less judgement of myself or others. My consumption started in adolescence from a wounded, struggling place and has evolved over the years. There were years of heavy partying and using alcohol as a coping mechanism.
In my later years, there have been long periods of sobriety and active reflection upon my use–grad school and my schooling to become a LAC (Licensed Addictions Counselor) offered helpful opportunities to apply what I was learning to myself.
My experiences in my personal life and in my work have helped me to understand how drinking patterns and addiction can develop. Trauma, stress, resources/lack of resources, brain chemistry, the environment/culture you grow up in, all play a role.
While there is much more to say on this topic and more modalities than the ones I am listing below, I will end by sharing some of the tools and trauma-informed approaches to substance use, myself and other clinicians are implementing in the field.
IFS (exploring the part that needs to use)
EMDR (detur protocol)
Acudetox (supports detoxification and relaxation)
Mindfulness, Meditation, Yoga (building awareness and mindfulness practices)
Psychedelic Assisted Therapy (when utilized in an intentional and safe way can help with more quickly re-wiring the brain)
CBT (there is a place and time for Behavior change charts - I found those to be helpful)
Wherever one is in their journey with substances, I believe one of the first steps is developing a compassionate, loving awareness of one’s behaviors and patterns.