Problems with Alcohol, a Case Study

Frank is the foreman on a construction site. He's married to Linda and they have two teenaged daughters. After work, Frank always has four or five beers before dinner and several after until he falls asleep watching TV. Frank has been having trouble at work and his boss has asked him if he has an alcohol problem.

When Frank and Linda go out, Frank always drinks heavily even though he says he plans to have only one or two drinks. Linda has told Frank that she doesn't like him drinking so much and that it embarrasses her when he gets drunk. Frank tells her that she doesn't know how to have fun. She's tried to talk to Frank about this, but she just doesn't feel like she's getting through to him.

When Linda tells Frank she needs help, he yells at her and throws things. Linda is frightened of Frank when he's drinking and often thinks about divorcing him.

Frank used to drive the girls to school every morning, but about 2 months ago, Frank was found guilty of impaired driving and lost his driver's licence.

Unhealthy Negative Feelings

Craving for alcohol

Beliefs

"One won't hurt"
"I can control my drinking"
"No one has the right to stop me drinking"
"Life should not be so hard"
"I deserve more from life than this"

Self-Defeating Behaviours

Drinking

What triggers the problems now?

Small things going wrong