Alcohol is one of the most frequently abused substances in the United States. While some people can have a drink or two every once in a while, others find themselves unable to control their intake of alcohol. They drink more than intended, allow alcohol use to interfere with work, school, and family, and often find themselves escalating drinking habits to the point where physical dependence becomes a problem.
The good news for anyone struggling with issues like those described above is that change is always possible. Anyone can get sober and stay that way with the help of family, friends, and an alcohol addiction treatment clinic. Read on to find out what everyone who struggles with alcohol addiction should know about the process of coping with their substance abuse and getting sober.
Story Stages
There’s No Need to Wait for Rock Bottom
It’s common to hear people talk about how they hit rock bottom, and that’s why they sought out treatment. There’s no need to wait for some external factor to justify asking for help, though, nor is it necessary for alcoholics to allow their addictions to ruin their lives before learning how to cope with them. Anyone can stop drinking with sufficient support, and that change for the better can come whenever the person is ready.
Recovery Is a Gradual Process
Most alcoholics don’t just wake up one day with a desire to quit drinking and transform their lives. The road to recovery is typically more gradual, and it can involve a lot of stops and starts.
Some people get stuck in the denial stage and are unable to admit that they have drinking problems, while others understand the negative impact that alcohol is having on their lives but make excuses or drag their feet when it comes to entering recovery. Setting goals and preparing for positive change can help, as can acknowledging that recovery is a gradual process. Even setting a goal of limiting drinking, then following through on achieving that goal, is a good way to start.
There Are Multiple Ways to Tackle Addiction
Not everyone with an alcohol problem wants to quit drinking entirely. While cutting back can be harder for some alcoholics than quitting cold turkey, it is still a viable way to try to tackle addiction. Learning how to make more mindful and informed choices about drinking is a great start.
People who already know they want to quit drinking entirely also have options. They can attend in-person or outpatient rehab, go through medical detox or try to manage the symptoms with therapy alone, and seek as much support from their social networks as they feel is appropriate. Learning about all of the tools available for tackling addiction makes it easier to start implementing them.
Everyone Deserves Help
If there’s one factor that can make the difference between a successful quit attempt and a short bout of sobriety followed by a relapse, it’s the ability to seek and find support. Most people need professional help to quit drinking, and everyone deserves to find it on their own terms.
If one program doesn’t seem like a good fit, don’t view that as a reason to give up on quitting entirely, or to assume that the system is no good. Try looking into other options, accept that recovery is a gradual process, and set a timeline for taking the next steps toward getting help.
