When Admitting Alcohol is an Addiction

The road to alcohol addiction recovery is paved with hope and it’s available to every single person.

While addiction can force someone to feel helpless and powerless, with the right support network, there is help right around the corner. The adage that someone needs to “hit rock bottom” before they engage in help is a fallacy - assistance is there all the time.

While the road to recovery may be rough, and one that may seem unattainable at times, it can be done.

The first step to dealing with alcohol abuse is admitting to the problem, and above all, making a commitment to stop drinking.

Commitment Comes In Stages:

The commitment to stop drinking doesn’t happen in one day.  It’s most definitely a process of acceptance.

One of the first hurdles abusers encounter is denial.  Once that is addressed, the next phase is allowing the abuser of alcohol the time they need to take the first stride towards recovery.

No doubt, there is an inner struggle before the commitment stage. A good starting point is sitting down and creating a pros and cons list. Writing a list such as this really spurs a “call to action.” It also starts tearing away the denial walls making alcoholism more of a reality.

While everyone’s pros and cons list is different, here’s a sample one for review:

Drinking Pros:

1        It helps me unwind and relax

2        It helps me forget about my worries

3        It’s a fun way to socialize

Drinking Cons:

1        Physically, I don’t feel well and know I have the potential to feel better

2        Mentally, my focus and concentration abilities are compromised

3        The activities and interests I used to have are gone

4        My relationships with my significant other, family members and friends have changed for the worse

5        I’m tired of people nagging me about my drinking

6        My job or school performance is suffering

7        The morning after, I feel ashamed for how I behaved

8        My addiction is making me depressed and less self-confident

9        I feel anxious that I cannot fulfill my responsibilities the best I know I can

This type of pros and cons analysis can help crystallize the seriousness of the addiction. It also highlights the drawbacks of the addiction. Ultimately, the lists show that the cons outweigh the pros - alcohol is just not worth the cost of losing so much that life has to offer.

Self-realization:

Once someone realizes that their addiction to alcohol is causing significant problems in their life, they can make the first step towards recovery. 

A good starting point is to seek the assistance of a healthcare professional. They realize that alcohol abuse is a disease and it should be treated as one. While admitting there is a problem are the most difficult words to speak, do realize this healthcare professional is there to help.  That’s what they are there for.

At the appointment, they will ask a variety of questions to help gather information as to whether or not an alcohol problem exists.  It’s extremely important to be candid with this health care professional.

If they feel that an addiction may be present, they will then recommend a specialist.

From there, the decision on what types of treatment will be presented and recommendations will be made.

After gathering all the pertinent information needed regarding the recovery journey, the right decisions can be made on how to proceed.

Just remember, the recovery road is built on a foundation of support and hope.