In overcoming alcoholism, there are key questions that need to be asked and answered before abstinence and sobriety can begin. Read on and these keys will be revealed.
Millions of people are overcoming alcoholism on a daily basis: unfortunately, it is a very difficult task to accomplish without having the pieces in place.
In order to start abstinence and move into alcohol recovery there are 5 questions that must be clearly understood and answered in the affirmative. These may sound deceivingly simple, but without addressing them, we are dead in the water. Here we go:
1. Do I have a problem, and is it alcohol?
This is easier asked than answered.
Many people have problems, my husband, my job a DUI, etc, but can you see that many of these are related to drinking? Most alcoholics have tremendous difficulty seeing that alcohol is the root of the problem. This is because of the addiction characteristic called denial. Denial is turning a ‘blind eye’ to the problem. If the answer to the question is yes, I have a problem and it is alcohol, we move on.
2. Do I want to stop drinking?
In overcoming alcoholism, this is a yes or no question, no ‘maybe’s’ or ‘but’s’ allowed. Abstinence means stopping completely, not trying to cut down. Many alcoholics know they have a problem, but they either still enjoy drinking or the pain is not great enough to stop.
3. Is now the time to stop?
‘I can stop anytime I want to, I just don’t want to.’ ‘I know I should stop, but…’ These are just a few common mindsets that will block alcohol recovery from getting started. Many people are overwhelmed at the idea of never drinking again and are looking for any reason to not take the first step.
4. Are you willing to develop a sobriety plan?
Just making the decision to stop drinking and stopping is not enough. Most people fail because they do not have a good, workable recovery plan in place. Not having a plan is just as dangerous as acting on a poor plan. Get some help from credible, knowledgeable professionals or self-help groups.
5. Put that plan in action.
You can have the best plan in the world, but if it is not implemented it does no good at all. One of the most common causes of alcoholic relapse is complacency. Many people have invested time energy and money in learning what needs to be done; they then fail to take action on the plan. Persistence and daily awareness is a key to recovery.
We have really only touched on a very few key mindsets and questions to get set up for success. To answer the question of how to help an alcoholic in the quest for overcoming alcoholism; it all begins with having the proper mindset.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I think, Just making the decision to stop drinking and stopping is not enough. Most people fail because they do not have a good, workable recovery plan in place. Not having a plan is just as dangerous as acting on a poor plan. Get some help from credible, knowledgeable professionals or self-help groups
i really need, want a drink. it will be ok. even though las time i drank i painted on my friends homade t shirt and now i cant go to his house anymore,, his mom died of hep c and heroin abuse and he was freaking out tellin his brother i was a monster just like mom! its all very sad shit. so i just study in my room on weekends and go to school on weekdays…really wish u caoulod have a drink, just want o socialize and have agood time.
#2 is the problem that many of my friends face. During college, drinking was just something that was a given when we got together. Now that we are out, there are quite a few who never let go of weekend binge drinking, stating that they love it too much. A few clearly see a problem, but they are not ready to give up what they consider the highlight of their weekends, and a few weekdays as well.
The amount or extent of what there is to lose in one’s life (successful career, loved ones, money, respect, etc.) have an impact on helping an alcoholic to recover. More than the type of therapy, or even whether the person enters therapy, the best chance for recovery is due to the number and quality of the person’s attachments to life. Having people that care about them, including family, friends, and community involvements; having activities of every sort that they find meaningful; having work skills, opportunities, and involvement; and so on predict whether people will have the motivation and resources to overcome alcoholism. They have both more to lose and more to counteract the appeal of the addiction.
The main reason I quit drinking after about 10 years of being blind drunk about 4-5 nights a week was simple. I got a divorce, woke up.
Almost overnight I decided that life was worth living. I did not “do it”for my son nor for anyone else. I wanted to do things, I wanted to get joy from a sunrise, a book, anything. I was dead to the world and I wanted to smell the flowers. It took about 3 years to finally “quit”. I owe it all to ME, GOD and my IPOD… [the order changes daily
] My IPOD was key all day all night POSITIVE THINKING STYLE BOOKS…
Changed the whole mindset of – -
If anyone else can do it so can I and I want my own plane goddamit… so I am making it happen. I am just glad I never got a DUI… Then that would hurt my chances for my license … Anyway… If I can do …. So can you… PERIOD… Get the crap off of your IPOD and put on some books and meditations and hypnosis… Oh I can go on…
Peace and good luck
Lori…
Lori we are all very proud of you! We saw you fall over the years into a horrible spiral and it did not matter what anyone said to you or did for you. You are one stubborn woman! Just in case you where not aware of the (smiles….)
It is so good to see you back. God loves you and so do we! Your favorite Attorney in Houston – Jack
I think 1 more important point is that there is no midway between it. What I mean is I have seen many ppl try to reduce it and then stop it but hardly seen anyone suceed. So in my opinion once you take the will go for the kill and just dont touch it.
Sunny
help me quit alcohol.please
I think all the while we ralonalize any bad habit we won’t be able to stop.
i.e: Biut it is Saturday, I have to drink tonight because I need to meet up with my friends…
It’s not so bad, after all, I only drink beer…
It’s obvious I drink, so would anyone if they had my life…etc.
In order to stop we must stop rationalizing the issue- be it drink/drugs or nail biting!