Alcoholics who want to change and their families have questions in mind that need to be answered before they begin the process of abstaining from alcohol. It is not easy to recover from alcoholism. But if it is done properly, it is likely that the person will be cured.
First, they have to ask themselves if they have a problem. And if they do, is it alcohol? Most people do not recognize alcohol as a problem. They encounter series of problems that are related to alcohol like DUI, relational and career problems but deny that the root of these problems is alcohol. They will not be able to solve alcoholism if they are in denial. They are mostly blinded from the truth and therefore they will never get to the second step until somebody lets them know.
Once they admit to themselves that they have an alcohol problem, they can now ask themselves if they want to stop drinking. This is not a question that should be answered with uncertainties, but rather should be answered with a firm yes or no. If their answer is a yes, then they have to completely stop drinking, and not just try cutting down. There are many alcoholics who still enjoy drinking even though they know they have a problem.
The third question they need to ask themselves is if now is the time to stop drinking. There are those who procrastinate abstinence by thinking that they can stop anytime they want to. Many people are afraid of change and scared of the idea that they can never drink again. So they look for reasons not to begin at all.
People tend to fail in this because they have not developed a good recovery plan. Deciding not to drink and quitting is not enough. There is a need for professional help, and not to acknowledge this is just as bad as not taking any step to overcome alcoholism. There are many credible institutions with professionals that can help speed up the process, and self-help groups to help an individual recover from alcoholism.
This is a time to act is now. If you or anybody you love is suffering from this problem, being complacent about this will not solve anything. If the process has started, continue the procedure until the disease is cured. Do not let your money or life go down the drain. Being persistent and being aware daily is the key to recovery.
Better yet, educate the young ones about the dangers of alcohol. It is always said that prevention is better than cure. It is through smart parenting that a person is prevented from becoming a victim of alcohol abuse. Setting a good example for our children and educating them lets they prepare for the world outside.
