Alcoholism is widely recognized as an illness; a condition that involves the repeated consumption of alcohol even though the consumer is aware of the health risks. Yet society still seems quick to judge alcoholics, often presuming that they have brought the illness upon themselves. That, true or not, is hardly helpful, to either the person concerned or society in general. Are alcoholics fighting a losing battle? Or are there ways that alcoholics can help themselves? Personal experience has taught me that there are tips that can, at the very least, help alcoholics cut down on their consumption of alcohol. Whether that is enough to stem the tide of alcoholism really depends on the person and their situation. Here are my top six tips.
Don't drink alone
This may sound strange to a non-alcoholic, but we alcoholics tend not to want to show the rest of the world that we cannot cope with alcohol. On our own, there is no pressure, and drinking until oblivious is a common occurrence. I liked nothing better than a clear weekend when I knew that I could just drink and not have anyone questioning my actions. Try not to put yourself in that position.
Keep busy and have daily goals
I found that the simple rule of having to get up the next day to meet with friends or attend something would make me think twice about drinking the night before. It didn't always stop me, but I would perhaps moderate the amount of alcohol I consumed.
Don't have alcohol in the house
I never, to this day, have any kind of alcohol in the house. I buy what I intend to drink. I also try to buy my alcohol late in the day, preferably just before my local shop shuts - that way, I know that once I have finished what I have, I won't be able to top it up. I have been known to walk miles in the middle of the night to find a shop that was open and selling alcohol, but that, thank goodness, is a rare occurrence.
Remind yourself
That you will smell of alcohol even when you can't smell it yourself. Many is the time I have stood in a queue in my local shop and smelled alcohol exuding from the pores of the person in front of me. Remind yourself that that could be you. Alcohol has a way of staying in the body long after it has been digested, even after a shower. It may not stop you every time, but it is another reason to stay clean.
Re-evaluate your life
This may seem like an enormous task - that's because it is. But it is important, once you have reached a point where you can think logically about your life, to consider why you drink. Is it because you suffer from anxiety attacks or depression and you need help getting through the day? Are you in a mind-numbing job? Is your personal life in tatters? Are you grieving for someone or something? If the answer to these questions is yes, then you are probably drinking to obliterate whatever it is you would rather forget. Tackle these issues head-on. It will be painful, it will be frightening, but remind yourself that you will come out the other end and that you will be a better person for it. And hopefully, the urge to drink will have disappeared too.
Admit your problem and seek help for it
This may sound obvious, but all too often, it takes alcoholics an awfully long time to accept that they have a problem and do something about it. I know it did for me. There is no easy way to determine who is an alcoholic and who isn't, but I would argue that if your drinking is impairing your life in some way - maybe you are taking days off work, avoiding friends and family, drinking until oblivious on a regular basis - then you can call yourself an alcoholic. There is plenty of help in the community, be it group therapy, individual counseling, mentoring or some other type of care. Embrace it and hopefully you will soon begin to see an improvement.
For someone who currently has a problem, these tips will probably seem patronising. A year ago, when I was drinking heavily, I refused to accept any help because I didn't want to and I can quite understand anyone with a real problem will initially find it next to impossible to follow any of these tips. Believe me, though, it is worth it. I am a recovering alcoholic. I still occasionally drink, but the desire to drink until I pass out has gone. I don't know if I will ever be truly free of alcohol; it has been part of my life for so long that I realize I could easily turn back to it. However, for the time being, I am taking each day as it comes, and finally, I feel I have a life for which it is worth getting up in the morning.
