Alcohol addiction is one of the most widespread and devastating diseases that claims many lives, and wrecks even more homes in its wake. What was one viewed as a mere lack of self control, is now recognized as one of the most severe of maladies, which affects millions of lives around the modern world. And yet, most people continue to shrug off spurts of uncontrollable drinking as “Just a passing phase”, or worse, “Alcoholism is something that happens to others not me”. It is this notion that many organizations and even governments are struggling to change, as it is this very mindset that precedes the downwards spiral into the murky depths of alcoholism.

A major factor that makes alcoholism such a difficult disorder to cure is that the victim of alcohol abuse does not understand the horrifying effects his consumption of alcohol warrants. The most widely accepted way to ascertain that you are not a victim yourself is to analyze your drinking habits. If you fall in the category of people who consume more than 4 drinks a day, or 14 drinks a week, then it is a sure sign that something is amiss. Also, if your resort to alcohol as a means to alleviating your depression, or drink more out of habit than as an occasional indulgence, you are already stepping across the fine line that separates moderation and addiction. This may be the best time to talk to your doctor about your habit, because you, as the victim, may not be the best judge of whether you are indeed going overboard. So, you may often find yourself making excuses to justify your drinking or even be defensive when you are spoken to about it.

But if you find that your drinking is causing your friends and family members to be concerned about your wellbeing, take this as a much needed wake-up call. Don’t cast their warnings away as baseless fears, but set up an appointment with your physician as soon as possible. Remember, it is you who are worst affected by your addiction. From physical maladies like liver cirrhosis, to renal disorders, gastrointestinal aliments and even cardiovascular failure, there is barely a part of your body that alcohol does not attack. Drinking as a recourse from the pressures and tensions of day-to-day life is unlikely relieve you of any stress. This is because alcohol is, in itself, a depressant. Hence, the temporary high that you feel after a strong drink or two rapidly concede to feelings of severe depression, which in turn encourage you to reach out for another round of drinks.

Once you have made the decision to quit, reinforce your resolve in every possible way. Firstly, draw up a list of all the reasons why you want to give up on your habit. This could be your physical health, the estranged ties that have developed with those who were once dearest to you, and even the negative impact your addiction has on your performance at work. Then, put up this list somewhere you can see it often to remind yourself of what prompted you to make the decision to quit. The second most important thing to do is talk. Draw your family and your friends into your confidence and let them talk you through the toughest phases of your de-addiction. If your problem lies, not in alcohol per se, but in other deeper rooted psychological concerns, availing of the guidance of a trained therapist may also prove immensely beneficial. You can also attend group therapy sessions to interact with others like you who are also struggling to overcome similar demons.

Set milestones for yourself in your de-addiction program. For every milestone that you accomplish, reward yourself. This could involve a simple dinner with the family, an evening out at the theater, or even gifting yourself something you’ve always coveted. When you cut down on your intake of alcohol, you’ll find that you’re also saving all the money that once funded your drinking habit. Use this money to motivate you to stay clean, until it becomes a way of life for you. You can also try alternative techniques like hypnosis, or acupuncture, or just a relaxing massage if your need to break your resolve for ‘Just a tiny drink’ becomes too overwhelming.

It is the first 30 days of your de-addiction program that prove the most crucial. Once you have got through this period, make sure to stick to your routine to avoid any further situations which may trigger a relapse. If this involves keeping away from all those weekend merrymaking sessions which invariably involve elaborate drinking sessions, do it. Many of your former acquaintances may very well be in the denial phase themselves and hence not recognize your need to stay clean. This may also lead them to try to talking you into joining them for just “One tiny drink” which may, in all probability, be your first step towards regressing into your addiction.

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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