Alcohol Counselling Inverness

What is the purpose of ACI (Alcohol Counselling Inverness)?
The ACI agency exists to help and support individuals who may be experiencing problems due to their own or someone else's alcohol or drug use. Also, to provide individuals and interested organisations with information, training and advice on alcohol and drugs matters.

What do drugs and alcohol have in common?
Alcohol is a depressant drug, perhaps our favourite drug. It is only one of a range of drugs, which when taken, can alter mood.

Is ACI an anti-alcohol/ anti drug agency?
Not at all, most adults choose to use alcohol and most of them experience little or no problems. Our message is, if you choose to drink, then 'drink sensibly'. In the case of other drug use illicit or otherwise, once again it's down to individual choice. If people choose to use drugs, we support the harm minimisation philosophy, which has its roots in the consequences of drug use, we neither condemn or condone, rather that we respond to the realities.

Is Alcohol Counselling the same as AA? .
No, we seldom use the "alcoholic" label. People who use our counselling service, do so for a relatively short while. Unlike Alcoholics Anonymous, we are not a fellowship, nor do we have a programme or strategy that applies to everyone. Anyone who comes to us for help is viewed as an individual with a unique set of circumstances. The support given by our counsellors is specific to the individual who is encouraged to make appropriate, sustainable lifestyle changes without being dependent on alcohol, drugs, the counsellor or indeed any exclusive group. We are the same as AA, in so far as we are there to help people with alcohol problems.

Who comes for counselling?
People from all walks of life and age groups both male and female. Most of our clients phone up and make their own appointments, while others are referred by GPs, social work, employers and other caring agencies. We provide both daytime and evening counselling sessions at our premises, 70 Tomnahurich Street, close to the city centre.

Alcohol Counselling Inverness provides

• A confidential counselling service for those experiencing difficulties in their lives due to inappropriate alcohol or drug use.

• A service that is available to the drinker / drug user, to their families and those around them.

Why do employers refer to ACI ?
Alcohol is very costly to trade and industry when you consider poor work performance, costly mistakes and time off often due to hangovers. Employers have a duty of care regarding the health of their employees. As many industrial tribunals have shown, it is not always the answer to dismiss employees who have alcohol problems. As affiliates to Alcohol Focus Scotland, which pioneered alcohol services to industry in Britain, ACI will assist employers in adopting and maintaining workplace alcohol policies. Within such a policy, problem drinkers who opt for help to modify their drinking, are encouraged and supported to do so out with otherwise disciplinary procedures.

Alcohol Counselling Inverness is one of six similar agencies in Highland. We are also part of a national network of some 28 Councils on Alcohol affiliated to and bound by the closely maintained standards of good practice laid down by our parent body, Alcohol Focus Scotland

We are a registered charity with a formal management structure, working in the community, for the community since 1980.

Our services are delivered by a team of dedicated counsellors trained by our parent organisation Alcohol Focus Scotland to deliver help and support structured upon sound ethical principles and best practice.

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