Getting Help for Alcohol Addiction

Alcoholism can be a difficult disease, in large part because its cure only comes at the hands of the person suffering from it. For those that decide they do want help, however, there are answers. Here at Stairway to Freedom Sober Living, we want to assist those individuals who are serious about getting help for their alcohol abuse. That is the first step, of course, but what comes next for those that have decided to get sober?

Five Steps in Getting Help for Alcohol Addiction

The following are steps one can take once they have made the decision to work toward a life beyond alcohol addition:

1. Weigh the Benefits of Quitting

Those who abuse alcohol invariably have rationalizations for doing so. Those serious about sobriety first need to make a physical list weighing those reasons against the reasons for quitting. While drinking can help people have fun and forget about their problems, the costs are weighty. Quitting can improve relationships, ebb anxiety and depression, and even improve performance at work or school. This initial list of benefits vs. costs is a great way of generating some perspective.

2. Set Goals & Announce Them

Next, it is important to make some goals in regard to quitting drinking. Decide a “quit date” and announce it to your friends and family so they can help hold you responsible for that goal.

3. Remove Temptations & Bad Influences

In the meantime, it would be wise to start removing temptations from your home. Remove all alcohol, barware, or anything else in your house that reminds you of drinking or encourages you to drink. Furthermore, if there are friends or acquaintances in your life that you associate with your alcohol abuse, create some distance from them, too. That might mean missing events where alcohol is served or even burning some bridges, but that can be a necessary step in the process of sobriety.

4. Get Educated & Be Safe

In some cases, quitting can cause some physical discomfort, including everything from headaches and nausea to anxiety, sleeplessness, and elevated blood pressure. Be aware of the withdrawal symptoms of quitting drinking, and be safe about doing so. If you have a high fever, experience seizures, or have hallucinations, call 911 or go the emergency room immediately.

5. Seek Help

If all of this sounds overwhelming and perhaps a little scary, don’t forget that there is absolutely no shame in seeking help. That might mean family or friends who can help, but it also may mean visiting a treatment center. Stairway to Freedom Sober Living is a great resource for those with no idea where to turn, and we are the help many former alcohol abusers need.

Of course, if any questions arise at any step of the process, the good people here at Stairway to Freedom Sober Living will be happy to answer them. The treatment of alcohol abuse is a delicate process, and our professionals know best how to approach that process. Sobriety is a lifelong endeavor, and we are eager to help those suffering from alcohol addiction, especially those that are ready to seek the help they need.