Going Forward: An Alcohol Use Reduction Tool

 

Going Forward: First Steps in Changing Your Relationship with Alcohol is a tool that helps users reduce their alcohol use over a period of six weeks. It encourages self-reflection on alcohol consumption and provides a simple way to assess your drinking habits and set goals for alcohol use reduction. 

Whether used alongside alcohol brief intervention counseling or as a stand-alone tool, this guidebook provides a structured process to help people change their drinking habits. Through this tool, users are invited to reflect on their experiences with alcohol, set actionable goals, and evaluate their efforts in reducing alcohol consumption in 2-week periods between counselling visits.

This tool is ideal for anyone looking to better understand their drinking patterns and make lasting changes.

Download Going Forward

How to use this alcohol reduction tool

Going Forward can be used on its own or alongside alcohol therapy or alcohol brief intervention counseling. You may start by working with a counselor and then move to using it independently. You can always return to counseling if you need support.

The tool was designed to integrate closely with a therapeutic approach informed by principles of MI+CBT. Using the tool and counselling together can strengthen your efforts to reduce alcohol consumption and change alcohol habits.

The guidebook leads the user through three cycles of a “PULSE” process, an acronym that stands for:

  • Preparing yourself to work on change, 
  • Unpacking your experiences with alcohol and prior efforts to change,
  • Learning from your experiences, 
  • Selecting change goals from possible options and
  • Empowering yourself to work on change.

Testimonials from Counsellors

“It is empowering because it gives the user control over their journey. It is a tool that supports their growth with adding unnecessary stress or pressure. The design is straightforward, with clear instructions and easy navigation.”

“The design offers a solid foundation that breaks down the larger goal into manageable tasks. This makes the journey feel more achievable and less daunting.“

“The tool is very approachable and user-friendly. Flexible and adaptable to individual needs so that progress can be made at a comfortable pace. This tool can personalize their experience which helps them stay motivated and engaged.”

Available Formats & How to Get Your Copy

Going Forward can either be used as an interactive digital tool or printed as a 52-page booklet. Download and save a copy to your device to use the digital tool to its full capacity. We recommend opening and using it with Adobe Acrobat Reader, a free application. Remember to save after each use.

You can order paperback copies of the Going Forward tool at a nominal cost through the authors by filling out the contact form below. 

Download the Tool
Request Printed Copies

Training and Support for Professionals

Pathways Research can provide technical support or advice for any of the uses mentioned above. Pathways Research also offers training and materials on how to most effectively integrate the use of the guidebook with counselling programs and practices. 

Contact Information 

For more information, please contact the authors: 

David Brown PhD & Wayne Skinner MSW
info@pathwaysresearch.org