Online Alcoholism & Addiction Counselling

I initially came across Bright Eye towards the end of December last year while feeling extremely desperate and unable to know which way to turn.

Counselling had never been an option for me before, because I’m quite a secretive person who bottles things up and I find it difficult to open up. I can honestly say that Bright Eye was the perfect answer to me. It allowed me to remain completely anonymous, and yet talk through all the issues that contributed to me drinking too much.

I had spent 6 months off work sick due to stress and depression, and I was drinking as a way of escaping from painful memories and dealing with worrying situations. The online counselling service was ideal because it meant that I didn’t have to leave my house to attend appointments. So I was able to feel comfortable chatting online and usually made sure I’d made a cup of tea before logging on.

At all times I felt respected for who I am, and was never lectured to about how much I was drinking. I received an enormous amount of support and encouragement to help cut my drinking down, and worked through strategies to put in place to help divert my attention onto other interests other than drinking.

It’s with thanks to this service that I have successfully reduced my drinking from a bottle of wine 4 or 5 nights a week, to drinking half a bottle 4 nights a month. I am so grateful to have found Bright Eye and all my appreciation goes to the counsellor who helped me on my journey.

Many thanks.

Darcy, UK

“I came across this site because a small part of me refused to believe that life was so unbearably painful and difficult and that I was so useless and exhausted with dealing with this fact that the only way out was being drunk - as often as possible.

Counselling over the internet seemed a good option to me for practical reasons, but also because I felt less inhibited and embarrassed and because I felt that it might be easier to concentrate (fewer distractions). It also felt less threatening than being face to face with someone.

I expected to be lectured on the evils of drink, to be told that I should be grateful for all the good things in my life and/or to be fed platitudes. I could not have been more wrong: I met nothing but understanding and kindness. I expected the process to be excruciatingly painful. Not so: There were moments of pain but far more often counselling felt good and as the weeks passed, the good feelings stayed longer and longer. I expected having horrific withdrawal symptoms and unbearable cravings. It wasn’t ‘unbearable’, though I did backslide a few times and the cravings became fewer, shorter and less intense quite quickly.

That small part of me that refused to give in has now become a much larger part of me. It’s early days yet but I have made changes in my life I would not have believed possible a few weeks ago. I have learnt strategies to deal with real and perceived problems instead of ‘drowning’ them. I am beginning to accept my feelings and to take care of myself. My life has not only become bearable but actually enjoyable.”

‘Greta’ - UK

I didn’t know that help like this was actually out there - I wasn’t specifically looking for it, I just knew I had been drinking way too much for too long. So I stumbled across this service and just thought I’d try it…

It was easier than I thought it would be (the sessions themselves, I mean), and I started making some simple changes. I’ve talked about some things I haven’t really talked much about before, and I’ve learnt to handle my feelings a bit better. Most importantly, I’m not drinking myself stupid all the time, and I’m happier because of that.

‘Phil’ - UK

“I was honestly quite sceptical
about the online approach at first, having only been to
‘one to one’ counselling in the past. The time/date of my
first session was arranged by e-mail and I
then entered the chat room….. I was crying over my
keyboard for one hour, what an experience!!! But these
were tears of pain and also incredible relief. At
last, the possibility to talk about my drinking problems
with no fear, no criticism, no shame.

Over the weeks the crying and pain diminished and the
feeling of self-confidence, strength and happiness
grew. Not only by using some classic counselling
methods and a lot of personal reflection, but also the
practical cognitive tips to reduce my drinking. I found
the approach understanding, non-judgemental and very
human. It’s also totally confidential and affordable.
And my counsellor was great, always on the
ball, a real gem (and not a bad typist either!)…

I have greatly reduced my intake of alcohol and carry on doing so
progressively. My outlook on life is much more positive
and I feel empowered to carry on with my goals.

I really recommend this experience to anybody who has
an addiction problem or even just a doubt about their
drinking.”

‘Alicia’ - UK

“I used brighteye because I value anonymity and because I was too nervous to make a huge commitment. Perhaps for those reasons I found it very effective and the fees are set at a level where they don’t become a barrier to seeking more advice. I found out enough about myself to know what I need to do to control my drinking and by and large I now can control my drinking.”

‘Steve’ - USA

Well I’m not living in England any more, but I needed some help to control my drinking, and I’m not exactly in to that whole group-hug thing, so an online chat seemed ideal for me. It wasn’t as scary as I thought it would be.

I felt like I was beyond help to be honest, but I seem to have remembered a few parts of myself that I’d obviously pickled with alcohol. And I don’t seem to feel guilty about being me so much now.

‘Claire’ - Canada