‘ALSO, THE DRINKER’S SELF-IMAGE IS AT PLAY. MANY CLIENTS I’VE WORKED WITH HAVE AN IDENTITY THAT IS BOUND UP WITH ALCOHOL.’ ‘They see themselves as bubbly, wild or spontaneous,’ continues Burke. ‘Often those labels are treasured. It’s something they’ve been rewarded for; people find them entertaining and they get invited to every party. If they feel those “likeable” qualities are dependent upon alcohol, it can be very scary to imagine living without it. It could be a cover for shyness and social unease.
