Alcoholism is a common issue in today's society. It's no wonder with the availability of alcohol and society's acceptance of binge-drinking these days. This kind of environment can easily let someone tumble down a slippery slope into a state of depressed alcoholism.
Should this apply to you, know that support is out there and that there are all kinds of alcohol treatment centers. You're not any less valid of a person for suffering from addiction.
There's a lot of bad press surrounding alcoholics. You often hear about people spiraling out of control, and that all their problems are due to their own poor decision-making skills.
Sometimes this may be true but not always.
The truth isn't as cut and dry as most people think. People turn to alcohol to deal with a myriad of internal issues. These range from self-esteem issues to difficulty coping with the stresses of daily life. It's for this reason that anyone who wants to truly rid themselves of the pest, that is alcoholism, should put themselves in a supportive environment for alcohol addicts where people are understanding and non-judgmental. Alcohol treatment centers are great for this!
While support can come in many forms, here are some of the most readily available sources:
Go to Your Doctor and Put an Alcohol Treatment Plan in Place
Your doctor deals with all sorts of patients dealing with all kinds of problems. They don't pass judgment as to how you found yourself in this situation; they simply want to help.
A doctor can guide you through the physical process of healing from alcohol addiction. Their goal is to help minimize the discomfort associated with withdrawal and hopefully get you into an alcohol treatment program. Because the symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can be extremely intense and cause relapse, it’s essential to get a medical detox. Professional care can help you overcome your dependence on alcohol safely in the comfort of your home.
PLUS, they understand the biological mechanisms behind detoxifying from alcohol which often makes you feel ill. So when you decide to reach out for support they should be one of your first stops.
Join Support Groups for Alcohol Treatment
Support groups, like alcoholics anonymous, or AA for short, have helped thousands of recovering alcoholics stay on the straight and narrow to regain control of their lives. The benefit of these alcohol treatment groups is that you most likely haven't seen these people before, and you only know them through the support group.
Since they all have gone through similar trials and tribulations as you, they understand how you've felt and what kind of emotions drove you to the bottle. These are people going through the same issues as you are, and you can relate to these people very comfortably.
Should you want to speak freely about how you feel without worrying about how it will affect your relationships with family and friends, a support group for alcoholics can work wonders for getting things off of your chest.
It is also a good way to find out how others are finding new coping mechanisms that don't involve drinking. Or, good alcohol treatment centers.
Family and Friends
During the course of your addiction, you may have alienated yourself from friends and family. Whether it be by just ignoring them or by using them to further your addiction.
You may be estranged from your friends and family by this point.
But then, anyone who has still stuck with you through the worst of times, and is still there for you, should be noted as a source of possible support. Make sure the person is willing and wants to help shoulder your issues, though.
It's unfair to put all of your problems onto a person who isn't prepared to handle what you have on offer. Some of us are fortunate enough to have family and friends who will listen and help us even when we're at our worst.
Those people should be kept close and treated well. They will help you immensely through this process by letting you know you're normal and worthy of having company.
Good for him! My hubby is 32 years sober.
That’s an amazing accomplishment!
This is such a great post. Addiction is very real. My ex was addicted to crack and we ended up splitting up because of his denial and refusal to get help.
I understand. My brother-in-law’s in jail because of addiction
It’s hard to quit drinking alcohol. Any addiction is hard. Once one stops, it takes a lot to never go back but it can be done.
My father-in-law is almost a year sober now. He’s switched to coffee which is way better
I have nothing but admiration for addicts that seek help. We need to get rid of the idea that this illness is too shameful to speak openly about it. Good article!
Yes we should all be able to talk about our problems