Alcohol- and drugs coaching

A recent survey by the University of Leuven showed that more than 12% of all employees drinking alcohol experiences negative consequences of their behaviour. Some of them are: being late, less concentrated, having more conflicts, being less productive, showing more absenteeism... This can have a negative influence on colleagues, efficiency, targets, image... It's time to tackle this growing problem!

Alcohol or drug abuse is actually a superficial problem. It is generally nothing more than a maladaptive coping strategy to deal with stress, sleeplessness, anxiety, anger, grief, negative thought patterns... With Acceptance and Commitment Therapy(ACT) we coachpeople on how to deal in a constructive way with the inevitable pain that we are faced with in life. The scheme above illustrates how ACT works. Instead of focussing on what we do not want (drinking, conflicts, rumination...), ACT helps us to focus on what is really important and valuable in our lives and how to realize this by taking commited actions. The main goal of ACT is to create more psychological flexibility so we do not longer have to run away from problems (f.i. by drinking too much). We achieve this by learning to accept difficult emotions and by taking distance of negative thoughts (defusion).

A coaching trajectory starts with an intake interview. If both coach and coachee agree to continue, six coaching sessions (1h30) are planned. A coach doesn't solve problems or tells people what to do. But by listening without judging, asking questions, confronting... he can help clients to gain more insights in their behavior and how to make change possible. These coaching sessions consist of in-depth conversations, concentration and relaxation exercices, emotion regulation work, the use of metaphors and homework.

We also organize information sessions about alcohol and drugs. For managers and team leaders we propose communication workshops where we teach them how to talk about this sensitive subject with their colleagues.

Luc Rombaut has worked as marketing manager in companies and as an independent (communication)consultant, (mindfulness)trainer and professional coach. He is director of Drugstories (a drugprevention organisation) and co-founder of Itam (a stressreduction training company). He has written several books about drugs and how to break free from addiction.

Telenet, SDWorx, Attentia, Euroclear, ING, City of Ghent, Brussels Capital Region, European Schools, Cobelplast, Solvay, VPK Packaging, ... are some of the clients he has been working with.

Contact Luc via info@alcoholendrugscoach.be  or call +32.(0)4.86.83.06.72.


* "A wide range of research is reviewed showing that many forms of psychopathology can be conceptualized as unhealthy efforts to escape and avoid emotions, thoughts, memories, and other private experiences." (Hayes in Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology)