Gray Area Drinking

Alcohol use and misuse among women is at an all time high as a result of the pandemic. Clinicians are experiencing an increase in clients seeking help to manage their relationship with alcohol. Many do not meet criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder but fall into a category Kitley has coined as “Gray Area Drinking.” In this presentation, you will view a film Kitley adapted from her autobiography, that she uses to travel around the country and educate communities about the effects alcohol misuse plays on the family system, before hitting rock bottom.

Using a holistic approach with clients, attendees will learn tools to implement with their clients around self exploration including journaling, meditation and breathing exercises, cognitive restructuring, where they can direct clients to receive support outside of Alcoholics Anonymous, and community support for women. Kitley will also offer an open discussion about gray area drinking and how to approach the topic with clients in a culture that has normalized the drinking phenomenon.