Now that the holidays are over and life is returning to its normal routines, some of the population will be reflecting on the drinking pattern that occurred during those holiday parties and events. The side effects associated with drinking alcohol can go from the very moderate to the very extreme and there is only one person that can identify which one you are, and that person is you. Around recovery circles there is a famous saying: “If you think you have an alcohol problem, you probably do.”

But what does it mean to be alcoholic? Alcoholics Anonymous has a 12-question questionnaire and if you answer yes to any of the questions they suggest that you just may have an alcohol problem.  If you are concerned that you or a loved one may have a drinking problem contact your nearest AA Intergroup or go to the Alcoholics Anonymous website. Many times information is a golden key to moving ahead with getting recovery and/or to realize what you are doing and take steps to stop it before it gets out of control.

There are several signs of alcohol abuse, but in this day and age where drinking has become the norm when done in moderation, alcohol abuse has become a serious problem in our society. Alcohol recovery pertains to everyone in all walks of life, from the mailroom to the boardroom and it has no age barrier; you can be young or you can be elderly.

Alcohol recovery for the alcoholic is possible and it is important to know that alcohol abuse is a symptom of an underlying problem and it is good to know that getting an individual to stop drinking alcohol many times is the easy part of the recovery process. When a person is in alcohol recovery the most difficult part can sometimes be learning how to be happy once again, without the use of alcohol.

Using a Vision Map Video to remind the person in recovery daily of the joy and happiness that is available and can be found again, is a perfect tool in the recovering persons sober toolbox. Many people know about Vision Boards for mind mapping, but now there is Vision Map Videos and they are so much more private than a board for all of the family and friends to see. No matter how hopeless and unmanageable a person's life has become due to the effects of alcohol, recovery is possible. The person in recovery needs as many tools as possible to over come the urges to drink again.

The use of counseling is a vital part of the process of recovery, an impartial supportive person to talk to that can point out the way to get past the drinking, the reasons for the drinking and assist them in the fact that alcohol is the problem. Even those who genuinely desire alcohol recovery and treatment are often incapable of seeking it in and of themselves and having a counselor to guide them is crucial.

You do not need to live your life with shame as most of the alcohol recovery programs have an anonymity structure to all of their meetings and groups; and more people are finding a solution for their alcohol problems and are so relieved to live a normal life again they couldn’t care less if anyone knew. The other thing that is great about the groups is that speaking directly with someone that has put alcohol behind them can give you the experience strength and hope that you can do it also.