Alcoholism Self Help

What does alcoholism self help mean anyway? To be clear it means to help yourself stop drinking alcohol. But wait, first you have to recognize AND admit that you have a drinking problem before you begin. Otherwise, you most likely won't take it seriously and make a half hearted effort. On the other hand, if you realize that you have a serious drinking problem and need to correct it then you will be willing to do whatever it takes to overcome alcohol addiction.

You might be asking yourself what kind of problems will I be having that will make me realize that I have a drinking problem? Here you go:

Ways to know you have a drinking problem:

1. Creates problems in relationships- fights, denials, break ups, divorce.

2. Liar liar pants on fire- you lie about drinking

3. You drink alone A LOT and pass out

4. Miss work often due to drinking, hangover or just too drunk to work

5. Can't handle problems without a drink or 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 lost count

I know it's only 5, but seriously if you're doing even one of these you need to stop drinking! This means you have lost control over the bottle and it now controls you.

If you now suspect or know that you have a drinking problem it is time to put project alcoholism self help into action. One great thing about those who stop drinking on their own is that it boosts self esteem. Most alcoholics have low self esteem, however, it isn't the only reason they drink, but it is a factor. It's a win win, you stop drinking and raise self esteem at the same time.

To stay sober there are some serious changes that need to be made. One of the first ones is to stop hanging out with anyone who drinks. Sometimes this isn't easy, but it is a must if you're serious. If there are friends and family members who aren't supportive then you need to hang out with the ones who are. The ones who really care are the ones who will be there for you. In fact, when you stop drinking alcohol you find out who your real allies are.

Avoid stressful situations as much as possible. Don't set yourself up by going to places where there are people who push your buttons. You know who they are, so don't go there. Many alcoholics have anger and or stress triggers and need to steer clear of certain places/people. It's good to stay busy, but stay busy doing things that bring you peace of mind.

Strive for balance in daily life. It is when we get out of balance that life gets hard to manage. Then when life gets hard to manage we look for ways to fix it, usually wrong ways like getting drunk. Every day life things such as getting enough sleep, eating right foods, healthy work habits, exercising and spending time with family and friends help us to stay balanced.

Get involved in activities at church or volunteer to help someone less fortunate than you. Church is the great place to make new friends that don't drink alcohol. They also have outreach programs for those in need. When you help others it takes the focus off of you and puts it elsewhere, which helps you get off of your pity pot. You know the poor me syndrome!

One of the best ways to get alcohol addiction help is to have a support system in place. At times there may be no family members or friends that are willing to stand by you. This means you need to look for outside support and the best place to do this is AA aka Alcoholics Anonymous. While I don't agree with AA on certain things I realize that they can help you stay sober.

Try several meetings in different locations they're not all the same. Look for the one that makes you feel comfortable with people you can relate to. Give it a chance, really work the steps and get a sponsor this is the only way that it will work. You don't have to agree with everything or everybody, but keep an open mind and focus on sobriety.

I was never an alcoholic; however, I was a drug addict for 12 years and spent 11 years in 12 step programs, therapy and counseling and read a ton of self help books. I also used the alcoholism self help tips above. All of them helped me to stay clean. Whether it's alcohol addiction help or drug addiction help you apply the same principles to your life.

Another good thing about AA is that it is free. Many alcoholics spend their money unwisely when they're drunk. In fact, you might say that they're careless. This can create serious financial problems, so a free alcohol addiction program is the only way that they can get the help needed.

Alcoholism self help can be successful and I know this because I did it. It has been over 20 years since I have touched a drink or drug. I no longer go to AA or NA meetings. I don't believe that you're an alcoholic forever like they do in AA. I believe you can live a normal life without the label of alcoholic or drug addict.

Check out this article on how to Help Alcoholic Parents.