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Stop Drinking Alcohol - One Step From Recovery

by: DavidPeters
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One of the major villains of the modern world is none other than Alcoholism. This disease, which was once considered a harmless inability to curtail one's extravagances, today accredited the responsibility of destroying millions of homes and devastating an even more shocking number of lives. However, it is not uncommon to find many people disregarding this disease as, "Something that happens to other people" or even justifying their excesses as only "a passing phase." And it is this attitude that organizations and even governments are fighting against, as these notions are the very roots of the vicious disease that is alcoholism.

One of the major factors which make alcohol abuse such a difficult disorder to diagnose and cure, is that the victim himself is often unwilling to come to terms with his addiction. He is in, what is referred to as the phase of denial. The most objective method to ascertain if you are indeed, in the throes of addiction is to count the number of drinks you consume. If you find yourself consuming more than 4 drinks a day and 17 drinks a week, you need to pay heed to your consumption patterns. Also, if you drink more as a way to escape your depression or simply because you can't think of any other way to spend an entertaining evening, you are well on your way to becoming a victim of addiction. The best thing to do at this point would be to talk to a doctor about your drinking, as your analysis may not always be the most objective and the most unbiased one. You may defend your addiction with a number of excuses and justifications, or even think that every one else around you is blowing the matter out of proportion.

If you find that your friends and family are indeed talking about your drinking a lot more than they used to, and find that what they are saying is not entirely exaggerated, it's time you decided to do something about your habit. Don't disregard your doubt as just a figment of your overactive imagination but make that call to your physician today. You have to remember that, social obligations aside, it is you who your addiction is most destructive towards. From physical afflictions like liver cirrhosis, gastrointestinal maladies and even cardiovascular symptoms, alcohol ravages almost every part of your body. Also, blocking out your worries with alcohol may not be such a good idea at all. The momentary high which alcohol brings is followed by bouts of severe depression as alcohol itself functions as a depressant. You are trapped in a routine where you have to drink in order to drive away the lows alcohol tortures you with.

Look for reinforcement in all its forms once you have made the decision to quit. Make a list of all the reasons which prompted you to take the first step. From your physical health to your family ties, every reason is reason enough for you to quit. Tack this list to your refrigerator, your dresser, or any place where you can see it often. This will give you the much-needed motivation when you are feeling particularly low and egg you on stick to your resolve. At times like these, it also helps if you talk to friends and family and let them help you overcome any hurdles that impede your path to recovery. If you do recourse to alcohol to ease you through psychological trauma, seek the advice of a trained counselor to rid you of these problems. Group therapy sessions have also proven to be immensely beneficial as they allow victims to share their experiences and consult with others who have been through similar times.

Make sure to divide your process of recovery into distinct milestones where you reward yourself for every barrier you overcome. An interesting way to reward yourself would be to set aside the money you save on alcohol and spend it on something you truly enjoy. This could be a quiet dinner with your family, an evening at the movies or even something you have wanted to buy for a long time, but haven't been able to afford. This system will keep you motivated to stick to your routine until it becomes more of a way of life for you, rather than a regime you impose on yourself. For those excruciating withdrawal symptoms, you can also try alternative techniques like hypnosis and acupuncture or even unwind with a relaxing massage.

The first month of your de-addiction program is bound to be the most difficult. However, once you've eased through that crucial phase, make it a point to redesign your social and personal interactions to avoid any circumstances which may prompt relapses. This could involve avoiding those weekend "Let's get sloshed" sessions with your colleagues from work, or even keeping away from all the people you associated with, during your addiction. Many of these associates may be in the denial phase themselves, and hence not recognize the need for you to take the drastic step to curtail your drinking habits at all. What's more, they may even try, in all innocence, to coerce you to break your program "Just once," assuring you that a single drink will not do you any harm. And before you know it, the one drink multiplies into two and then four and before you know it, you're back right where you began.

When it comes to making that decision to clean up your act and start afresh, you may feel overwhelmed with all the obstacles that crop up. However, don't let these barriers weaken your resolve. Stick to them with an iron will, and soon, you'll discover a whole new world of opportunities right at your doorstep!

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