Alcohol Counselling in Chiang Mai
Alcohol Counselling in Chiang Mai: An Intensive One-to-One Recovery Programme as an Alternative to Rehab
Have you tried to stop drinking on your own, only to find yourself returning to alcohol? Have you promised yourself that this would be your last drink, or managed weeks, months or even years of sobriety before starting to drink again? Perhaps you’ve previously attended or considered alcohol rehab or regular counselling but are still struggling to find lasting recovery. Or maybe this is the first time you’ve recognised that alcohol is becoming a problem, and you’re unsure what kind of help and support would be most appropriate for you.
If alcohol is affecting your health, relationships, work or quality of life, you may feel that something needs to change, but finding the right support isn’t always straightforward. Regular weekly counselling may not always provide the specialist alcohol recovery support or intensity you’re looking for, while residential rehab can involve considerable expense and weeks away from home or work.
At Counselling Thailand, we offer an intensive, personalised, one-to-one alcohol recovery programme, combining individual counselling with structured, rehab-style recovery education and practical relapse prevention strategies. The programme is designed to help you understand the underlying factors driving your drinking, break unhelpful patterns and develop practical strategies for achieving and maintaining long-term sobriety.
Available in person in Chiang Mai or online, our programme provides a non-residential alternative to alcohol rehab for suitable individuals who want focused recovery support without having to enter a residential treatment centre.
Important: Programme Suitability and Medical Considerations
Our intensive alcohol recovery programme offers an alternative to residential alcohol rehab for individuals who are suitable for non-residential support. However, we recognise that some people may require a higher level of care, including medically supervised alcohol detoxification, specialist addiction treatment or residential rehabilitation. These services fall outside the scope of our programme. Where appropriate, we can help you explore your options and suggest external medical professionals or treatment facilities better suited to your individual needs.
Am I an Alcoholic, or Do I Just Drink Too Much?
Many people have their own perception of what constitutes an alcoholic and the differences between a social drinker, heavy drinker, binge drinker or someone who has developed alcohol dependence. Unfortunately, these labels can sometimes become a barrier to seeking help, particularly when someone doesn’t identify with the traditional image of an alcoholic.
The important question isn’t necessarily whether you’re an alcoholic, but whether alcohol is beginning to have a negative impact on your life and whether you’re finding it increasingly difficult to control or stop your drinking.
It’s common for people to justify or minimise their alcohol consumption with explanations such as:
- “I only drink beer, I don’t drink spirits.”
- “I don’t have a problem because I don’t drink every day.”
- “I work hard, and having a few drinks helps me unwind.”
- “I just need to learn how to control my drinking.”
- “I don’t drink in the mornings, so I can’t be an alcoholic.”
- “I need alcohol to relax or get to sleep.”
- “I can stop whenever I want to.”
Some of these statements may genuinely describe your circumstances. However, if you’ve found yourself repeatedly questioning your drinking, making unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop, or experiencing negative consequences because of alcohol, it may be time to consider getting some support.
Alcohol problems can develop gradually, and many people continue working, maintaining relationships and functioning in their daily lives while privately struggling with their drinking. You don’t have to reach a crisis point or lose everything before deciding to make a change.
Whether you would describe yourself as a heavy drinker, problem drinker or alcoholic, you can seek help without having to put a label on yourself.
Through regular alcohol counselling or our intensive one-to-one recovery programme, we can help you explore your relationship with alcohol, understand the factors contributing to your drinking and develop a personalised approach to making meaningful changes.
The first step is recognising that your drinking may have become a problem and being willing to explore what kind of support could help you move forward.
Personal Experience Makes a Difference
Our intensive one-to-one alcohol recovery programme has been designed and developed by Brett Thornton (Yim Thai), founder and Director of Counselling Thailand. With over 15 years of continuous sobriety from alcohol and drug addiction, alongside extensive professional experience in alcohol counselling and recovery support, Brett brings a combination of personal understanding and professional knowledge to the programme.
While many experienced professionals provide excellent alcohol counselling and recovery support, some people prefer speaking with someone who has personally experienced the challenges of alcohol dependence and the journey towards lasting sobriety. Brett brings both perspectives to his work, having experienced firsthand the difficulties of stopping drinking, the challenges of maintaining sobriety and the changes involved in building a life free from alcohol.
Choosing the right path to recovery can be one of the most important decisions you make. Whether you’re considering residential alcohol rehab, looking for regular alcohol counselling or exploring a more intensive one-to-one recovery programme, understanding your options is an important first step.
Brett recognises that everyone’s circumstances are different and that the most appropriate approach depends on your individual needs, personal situation and level of support required.
During your free, confidential, no-obligation consultation with Brett, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss your current circumstances, concerns and recovery goals. Together, you can explore which of the following options may be most appropriate:
- Intensive One-to-One Alcohol Recovery Programme: A personalised, structured programme designed by Brett and provided by him or another suitably experienced therapist from Counselling Thailand, available in person in Chiang Mai or online.
- Regular Alcohol Counselling: Individual weekly counselling with an experienced therapist from the Counselling Thailand team, for those who would benefit from ongoing therapeutic support.
- Residential Alcohol Rehab: For individuals who may benefit from a residential treatment environment, Brett can offer guidance and suggest suitable external rehabilitation facilities in Thailand.
Arrange Your Free, Confidential Alcohol Recovery Consultation
Taking the first step towards changing your relationship with alcohol begins with understanding your options. Our free 30-minute consultation is an opportunity to discuss your circumstances, explore the support available and identify an appropriate next step towards recovery, with no obligation to commit to any programme or service.
Simply complete the online enquiry form below, and our team will contact you to arrange your free consultation with Brett.
An Intensive, Personalised Approach to Stopping Drinking
No two people experience alcohol problems in exactly the same way, which is why we believe that an effective recovery programme should be tailored to the individual rather than following a fixed, one-size-fits-all approach.
Your recovery journey begins with a free initial consultation, followed by an intensive two-hour Deep Dive session, where we explore your drinking history, previous attempts at recovery, current challenges and personal goals. This provides the foundation for developing a structured, personalised programme combining individual counselling, recovery education and practical strategies to support lasting change.
Depending on your individual circumstances, areas of work may include:
Understanding Your Relationship with Alcohol: Exploring your drinking patterns, cravings, triggers and the emotional or behavioural factors that have contributed to your alcohol use.
Developing the Skills for Sobriety: Learning practical approaches to managing cravings, difficult emotions and everyday situations without relying on alcohol.
Relapse Prevention and Recovery Planning: Identifying high-risk situations, recognising early warning signs and developing a personalised plan for maintaining sobriety.
Addressing Underlying Emotional and Psychological Issues: Exploring stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, past experiences and other factors that may be contributing to your drinking.
Changing Unhelpful Thinking and Behavioural Patterns: Recognising and addressing beliefs, habits and avoidance behaviours that may be preventing meaningful progress.
Rebuilding Your Life Beyond Alcohol: Developing healthier routines, strengthening relationships, building support networks and rediscovering a sense of purpose.
Preparing for Long-Term Recovery: Developing an ongoing recovery plan, identifying future support needs and preparing for life after the intensive programme has finished.
Your programme is developed collaboratively, with the specific areas of work, therapeutic approaches and pace adapted to your individual circumstances, recovery goals and clinical suitability.
How to Get Started: Book Your Free 30-Minute Consultation
Taking the first step towards addressing your drinking can feel daunting, particularly if you’re unsure which type of support would be most appropriate for you.
We offer a free, confidential, no-obligation 30-minute consultation to discuss your circumstances, answer any questions and help you explore your recovery options.
Simply complete our online client enquiry form, providing some brief information about your circumstances. Our administration team will then contact you to arrange your free consultation.
“You don’t need to have all the answers today. Sometimes, the first step towards lasting recovery begins with a simple conversatio”.