There are certain behaviors that can develop that go along with becoming an alcoholic and being addicted to alcohol. Here is an extensive list of 35 examples of new behavior that may indicate that you have developed an addiction to alcohol.
Some problem drinkers know they have a problem fairly early in the drinking process, but there are many people who are addicted to alcohol who really are the last to know.
1. You believe you can stop drinking anytime you want to, but just don’t.
2. When you go to the doctor you hide the fact that you are drinking excessively.
3. Your friends and family have a growing suspicion that you have a drinking problem, and may mention it or have a talk with you about it.
4. You deny the mounting evidence of your excessive drinking.
5. You trivialize the amount and frequency of your drinking as much as you can.
6. You can’t acknowledge the serious consequences of your drinking.
7. You are forced to make constant excuses for wild or irresponsible behavior.
8. You have a tenancy to blame others or situations in your life for your drinking.
9. You can’t stop drinking for more than a few weeks.
10. You constantly have the urge to drink.
11. Once you start drinking, you usually can’t stop.
12. You keep drinking until you run out of alcohol.
13. You are spending money you need for necessities for alcohol instead.
14. You see people who “want to help” as a nuisance if not an outright threat.
15. You will sometimes start having money problems, and may have to borrow money (for the first time in some cases).
16. You get angry when someone mentions your drinking.
17. If you go into rehab, will finds reasons or makes excuses to stop treatment.
18. Some will have problems with the law. DUI’s, etc.
19. You are absent or late for work more frequently.
20. More advanced alcoholics can’t keep a job or can’t or won’t get one.
21. If you are a student, you may be suspended from school for drinking.
22. You are more easily upset and have more mood swings.
23. You feel very alone with this problem.
24. You get angry more often.
25. Under the influence very reckless and/or irresponsible behavior
26. You find yourself continually not meeting your responsibilities.
27. Your relationships become more unstable.
28. Further down the road, you find yourself spending time with people who drink as much as you do.
29. You keep the people close to you at an arms length (keeping a drinking problem secret is difficult particularly with those closest to you) even though you really do want the relationship.
30. Your problem solving abilities don’t seem to work anymore.
31. With more advanced drinking, changing your drinking pattern becomes more difficult if not impossible.
32. You feel much more intense guilt and depression.
33. You need more support from others than you used to.
34. You can’t keep your promises anymore.
35. You avoid social activities.
If you see yourself in these behaviors, you may have developed an addiction to alcohol.
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According to presenters at the “New Perspectives” conference on Vancouver Island, British Columbia this past fall, at least 85% of the clients seeking help with alcohol abuse are being misdiagnosed, and mistreated at virtually all of the treatment programs across Canada, the U.S., and Australia. How is this possible?
The problem is that 97% of these “programs” are based on the discredited AA/12-Step “disease” model which doesn’t differentiate between alcohol abuse and alcohol dependence. This failure to accurately assess is then compounded by program staff who are, at best, poorly trained, and usually mis-trained.
The result? People with alcohol abuse problems are discouraged from getting help in the early stages when, as with any real disease, curing it is fairly easy. Additionally, those who are better advised to abstain are labeled and directed to follow a demeaning life-long regimen that isn’t just unnecessary, but counter-productive for the vast majority of those with alcohol problems.
What can you do?
Frankly, your choices are limited. You can look for programs that are “Non 12 Step” but many of these also adhere to the same disease model. You best chance is to carefully find help that includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), anti-craving medication (Naltrexone) support, professional staff who aren’t “in recovery,” and that offer real assessment rather than just lumping you in with everyone else as an “alcoholic.”
What should assessment consist of? Good programs and counselors are more interested in strengths, abilities, and interests than in you faults and failings. They are also more interested in your current circumstances and future wishes than in your past. The best will spend very little time talking about alcohol beyond getting a picture of your particular drinking patterns.
Following assessment, which will look at aspects of your life ranging from your health to your work, education, family, social and recreational situation, you should be looking at how you want your life to be without alcohol abuse. Then you should be helped and coached to set goals, make priorities, and develop systems for achieving that life.
None of this should take all that long - certainly not more than 5 days. Do not be sucked into believing that you need 30, 60, or 90 days of residential “rehab” - less than 10% of current clients do. You do not, after all, need a vacation from reality - you need to fix whatever’s wrong and improve you real life in ways that leave no room, or reason, for abusing alcohol.
Again, do not fall into the “treatment traps” of being forever “in recovery;” maintaining an alcohol focused life centered on endless meetings with people who are never going to sober up; adopting a self-fulfilling “alcoholic” label; and giving up your ability to manage your own life.
Remember, you aren’t powerless, you don’t have a disease, and you can leave alcohol abuse behind - permanently.
You do have an understandable and learned short-term coping behavior called alcohol abuse which has helped ease loneliness, boredom, anxiety, passivity, and various other emotional and physical pains, aches, and discomforts. You can learn and adopt better long-term solutions that will make you happy to have left alcohol behind.
You can become an ex-drinker just as people become ex-smokers. Been there, done that. Alcohol abuse is no longer a topic or activity of any interest.
If you’re ready to enhance you life, rather than to diminish it even further, there are options available. Real ones based on research and experience. Don’t sell yourself short.
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It is quite possible for you to stop drinking alcohol without the support of anybody. All you have to do is resolve to change your habits which is presently dependent on bottles of alcohol. There are numerous people like you who have done it successfully. If they can, you can also do it.
One of the things you must do is say no to bottles of alcohol. Don’t expect this to be effortless. Your friends will likely put pressure on you to change your decision, but you must stick to it. If it means dropping some of your alcoholic friends, I advise you to do it. Additionally, it is really necessary to avoid any late parties that may lead you back into drinking. Politely turn down such outings and you will discover that the urge for alcohol is dwindling as the days go by.
In order to stop drinking alcohol, it is highly recommended that you get involved in social or religious activities that will consume your time and attention. This will take your minds off friends and gathering that typically make you drink. Surround yourself with new friends that don’t drink. These friends will help you resist any bait that may come your way.
Another thing you should do is to check with your doctor. This is highly recommended as he or she may have some positive and helpful information for you. Additionally, he will be able to recommend what you can do or take to help your body adjust to the new way of life that is not dependent on alcohol.
If all of the above do not help and you still find yourself falling into enticement, it is highly recommended for you to search for a good and reliable treatment center. You will get more aid from the professionals that are in the center. They will help you with productive advice on overcoming the crisis of alcohol addiction.
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Anyone that is looking for information on how to stop drinking alcohol on your own is really serious. If you are one of them, this article is meant for you. I usually come across a number of folks like you both in the real world and online forums. I will give you the same idea that I usually give them. Many of them that made use of the idea you are going to read shortly have never regretted it. Here they are.
I want you to know that you can do whatever you want to do if you really make up your mind. You got into this trouble as a result of making a choice. Likewise, you can also make a decision to quit. In other words, all that you require is your will. Where there is a will, there is a way.
The foregoing will make you to take some steps that will make you quit alcohol on your own. It is really important for you to depart from the source of temptation. This may include separating yourself from alcoholic friends. Also, try and politely turn down invitation to gatherings that will make you drink.
Another thing you can do is to get involved in activities that will help shift your attention and urge away from alcohol. There are social, community or religious activities around you that you can join. These activities will open you up to new friends that are not alcoholic and you will have less time to drink.
If you are not able to quit after doing the above, try having faith in a higher source. Some folks have testified to having power to say no to bottles of alcohol after believing this higher source of power. If you don’t want to do this, try enrolling in a good and reliable treatment center very close to you. Confirm that the center is well equipped to help you.
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