Does Coming to FASS Work?

Some experiences of clients attending FASS for counselling.

Joe, 36, was referred by his G.P. for counselling. He had attended his G.P. when his drinking pattern had changed from sociable drinking to using alcohol on a daily basis. He has been employed with the same company for the last ten years as an engineer and was provided with a Company vehicle. Joe was based locally with the Company up until a year ago but now faced a round trip every day of approx. 150 miles.

Joe attended counselling stating that he wanted to work towards a controlled drinking programme. Ideally Joe wanted to return to being a sociable drinker and during counselling disclosed that he was in danger of losing his job unless he could return to sociable drinking at weekends. On his 3rd counselling session Joe decided to change from a controlled drinking programme to one of complete abstinence. He was referred immediately for detoxification to the Community Alcohol Team. After detoxification he was re-referred for counselling to assist him in maintaining his abstinence.

Joe is currently still maintaining his abstinence and now attends once a month for counselling. As a result he stated that his family life has improved dramatically and he also feels that his job is no longer in jeopardy.

Christine, 38, was referred by her Health Visitor for counselling. She was a binge drinker and had three children under the age of seven. She was unemployed and was suffering from severe anxiety/panic attacks.

She attended counselling initially stating that she could not cope without alcohol. During counselling sessions she addressed the dangerous situation that her binge drinking presented to the care of her children. Christine addressed introducing other coping mechanisms in her life and was then able to reduce her alcohol intake. With the involvement of additional relevant partnerships she has regained control of her life and now aspires to return to part time employment when her youngest child commences school.

Christine was happy enough to end her counselling feeling she was now able to cope and had not suffered from a panic attack for months.