Self Help for Alcoholism

When you decide to quit drinking, you have a long road ahead of you, as recovering from alcoholism takes a considerable amount of courage and commitment. You must decide that you are ready to change your lifestyle. This takes a realistic approach, one that realizes the obstacles that will present themselves along your journey to recovery. You must be determined to follow through with your plan to quit drinking in order to be successful. There are many ways that you can help yourself; in fact, it is from within that recovery begins.

Admit You Have a Problem

• Summoning up the courage to admit to yourself that you have a problem with alcohol is the first and most important step to recovery. Many people laugh it off, or cover up their true feelings when they are faced with the difficulty of saying "no" to a drink that is offered or that bottle under the cabinet. Making the important decision to quit drinking is your next challenge. This decision is totally yours. You are the only one who can decide whether you are serious about quitting.

Physical and Mental Recovery

• Understanding the physical and mental changes that your body will undergo when you quit drinking is vital to your recovery. Your body needs time to recover. During the initial stages of recovery, you will be faced with cravings to drink again, which can be terribly hard to fight. If you understand this process, you will be more likely to be successful; however, there are programs you can attend that will give you tools to fight your alcoholism. Treatment programs will teach you how to handle stressful situations and the pressure to drink socially, but if you decide you want to do it yourself, there is plenty of online guidance available.

Support Groups

• Having a trusted family member or friend to use as a sounding board as you go through this process will be a tremendous help. They can be there to help you through the rough times. One helpful program is Alcoholics Anonymous, a support group of people who are going through the same thing you are. There are groups in virtually every corner of the United States that hold meetings several times a week. The meetings will give you an opportunity to share your experiences with others and listen to the trials and tribulations of the other members of the group.