Sunnyvale & Mountain View Therapy

Stacy O'Leary, LMFT

1021 South Wolfe Road Sunnyvale, CA, 94086

Therapist & counselor in Sunnyvale and Mountain View

Alcohol Abuse Counseling

Therapist in Sunnyvale - Stacy O'Leary, LMFT

Whether you are just starting to wonder if you have an alcohol problem, beginning sobriety for the first time or the millionth time, or struggling to remain sober, it is important to get support. Struggling with an alcohol problem or alcoholism is difficult, and no one should have to do it alone.

Alcohol problems vary in intensity. Some people drink alcohol every day, and some people only drink occasionally. Even if someone drinks smaller amounts of alcohol or only drinks occasionally, alcohol can still be causing problems. Sometimes people don't get help because they don't identify as an alcoholic or don't suffer from alcoholism. In order to recover and reclaim your life, it is not necessary to identify as an alcoholic or to have any specific beliefs about alcoholism or addiction. Whether you drink alcohol all day long, binge drink occasionally, drink only with friends, or drink at home after the children go to bed, if it's causing you concern, it is worth exploring ways to cut back or stop.

High-Functioning? 

Many people wonder if they could actually have an alcohol problem, because they are functioning well in many ways. It's common to still have your job, family, health, and no DUIs, but to feel like alcohol is causing problems or keeping you from achieving your potential.

Drinking Alcohol in Secrecy?

Many people drink in secrecy. Often, no one else knows that there is a problem. Some people only drink in front of their family; some people only drink alone at home; and some people only drink after their children go to bed. Even if drinking is not causing external problems, it can be painful. Some people get sober because it feels like drinking alcohol is killing their soul or getting in the way of what they value.

Shame, guilt, and fear of getting caught are common emotions. You deserve to feel better. Often, sobriety brings a sense of pride and contentment.

Alcohol Abuse Counseling Can Help

In counseling, you can

  • determine if you have a problem (explore the pros and cons of drinking/sobriety)

  • identify alcohol abuse triggers

  • develop a plan to stay sober

  • find joy in being sober

  • increase your coping strategies and internal resources

  • work through any past traumas or difficulties that may be contributing to the alcohol problem

As important as it is to understand the negative consequences of alcohol abuse, it is also important to explore the joys that can come with being clean and sober. It is much easier to stay sober if you are doing things that you enjoy and find meaningful!

People struggling with alcohol problems often feel split between the desire to be sober and the desire to drink. Ambivalence is normal. Counseling can help you decide what you truly want to do.

I believe that supportive counseling can be more useful than the confrontational approach. According to motivational interviewing, there are six stages of change (unaware of the problem; contemplating change; preparing to change; deciding to change; maintaining that change; and potentially learning from relapses).

People recover from alcohol abuse in many ways. Some people use groups, some use substance abuse counseling, and some use a combination. Do whatever works for you. Sobriety is worth it.

I also help people who are struggling with internet addiction, drug addiction, and codependency.

You can also read my blog posts about healing from alcohol problems and addiction.

Alcohol & Other Drug Addiction Recovery Groups

You may find the following self-help groups useful. I do not necessarily recommend the following resources, but I want to provide as much information as possible. Please use your own judgment when using these resources. Check the websites or call for up-to-date meeting times and locations.

Secular Recovery Groups That Are Not 12-Step

  • Women for Sobriety - womenforsobriety.org (Women's meetings in Santa Clara and Redwood City; Online forum and online meetings available; No Women for Sobriety meetings in Sunnyvale)  Self-empowerment and happiness are key components to their recovery program. Initially, their program focused on alcohol addiction, but now it is open to any woman struggling with substance abuse. You do not need to identify as an alcoholic to go to their meetings. Call for meeting information. Phone # (215) 536-8026

  • SMART Recovery - smartrecovery.org (Meetings in Santa Clara, San Jose, and Los Gatos; Online forum and online meetings available; No SMART recovery meetings in Sunnyvale)  Their program consists of learning various tools to reduce urges and stop drinking or using. Their program does not tend to use the word “alcoholic”. Open to anyone struggling with alcohol, other drugs, or addictive behaviors. Phone # (408) 850-3595 or (440) 951-5357

  • LifeRing Secular Recovery - lifering.org (Meetings in Mountain View and San Jose; Online forum and online meetings also available; No LifeRing recovery meetings in Sunnyvale)  They focus on each person creating his/her own individual recovery plan. Open to anyone struggling with alcohol or other drugs. You don't need to identify as an alcoholic or addict to attend their meetings. Phone # (800) 811-4142 or (510) 763-0779

Buddhist Recovery Groups & Pagan Steps

  • Recovery Dharma - recoverydharma.org (Meetings in Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Campbell, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz; Online meetings available; No Recovery Dharma meetings in Sunnyvale) Recovery Dharma or Refuge Recovery is a buddhist approach to recovery.

  • Spiral Steps - spiralsteps.org (No meetings in Sunnyvale or Santa Clara County) Spiral Steps is a pagan approach to recovery.

Twelve-Step Recovery Groups

Therapy Office in Sunnyvale

My office is in Sunnyvale, California on Wolfe Rd., near El Camino Real (also close to Santa Clara, Cupertino, and Mountain View). Parking is easy; there is a large parking lot.

1021 S. Wolfe Rd., Suite 255
Sunnyvale, CA 94086

Directions to Sunnyvale Therapy Office

About Me

I am a therapist/counselor in Sunnyvale, California. I primarily work with individual adults. (LMFT Lic. # LMFT40414)

Please visit my therapy home page for more information about me.

To Schedule an Appointment or Ask Questions

Call me or email me at stacy@stacyoleary.com to ask any questions you have or set up an appointment. You can also schedule a free phone consultation with me.