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Stop Drinking Alcohol - Get Rid Of This Dangerous Disease

by: DavidPeters
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One of the most widespread and menacing evils of the modern world is none other than the devastating disease named Alcoholism. Often dismissed as a lack of self-control, it is only now that many individuals and societies are rising to the urgent need to curb this devastating disease which has destroyed many lives and shattered several homes. And yet, there are still those among us who continue to don the blinkers of oblivion, disregarding alcoholism as just one of those things which happen to "other people". It is this very reasoning that plummets several individuals, who are just like you and me, into the bottomless pit called alcoholism.

One of the most dangerous of all the symptoms of alcoholism is the victim's inability to recognize that there is something amiss with his patterns of drinking. If you find yourself reaching for that fifth drink at the end of the day, or if your consumption of alcohol exceeds 14 drinks a week, then it's time you sat up and took notice. Also, if you often find solace in drowning your sorrows in a bottle of scotch, or drink more than you should simply, because you are used to it, you may want to talk to your doctor about your drinking habit. As the victim, you may not be entirely objective in your assessment of whether your habit is veering towards addiction. And this is why you may concoct innumerable reasons to defend your consumption patterns or simply think that those around you are exaggerated in their judgment of how much you are drinking.

Another prominent way to access whether you are indeed going overboard, is to gauge what the people closest to you are saying. If, for even an instant, you are struck by the possibility that there is some truth to their observations, don't dismiss the thought. Make that call to your doctor and set up your appointment without any further delay. The most important reason for you to give up on that bottle is 'you'. Think of all the physical ailments that alcohol abuse could cause you and those which already afflict you. From liver cirrhosis, to gastrointestinal disorders to even cardiovascular problems, alcohol literally wreaks havoc on your body. Also, if you are resorting to alcohol to alleviate your tensions, you may be surprised to know that alcohol, in itself is a depressant. The momentary high that you feel in followed by rapidly increasing bouts of depression, to the point that it becomes a vicious cycle where you have to drink to rid yourself of the depression that alcohol has brought on to you.

Once you have made the decision to quit, reinforce your resolve in every possible way. Firstly, draw up a list of all the reasons why you want to give up on your habit. This could be your physical health, the estranged ties that have developed with those who were once dearest to you, and even the negative impact your addiction has on your performance at work. Then, put up this list somewhere you can see it often to remind yourself of what prompted you to make the decision to quit. The second most important thing to do is talk. Draw your family and your friends into your confidence and let them talk you through the toughest phases of your de-addiction. If your problem lies, not in alcohol per se, but in other deeper rooted psychological concerns, availing of the guidance of a trained therapist may also prove immensely beneficial. You can also attend group therapy sessions to interact with others like you who are also struggling to overcome similar demons.

Set milestones for yourself in your de-addiction program. For every milestone that you accomplish, reward yourself. This could involve a simple dinner with the family, an evening out at the theater, or even gifting yourself something you've always coveted. When you cut down on your intake of alcohol, you'll find that you're also saving all the money that once funded your drinking habit. Use this money to motivate you to stay clean, until it becomes a way of life for you. You can also try alternative techniques like hypnosis, or acupuncture, or just a relaxing massage if your need to break your resolve for 'Just a tiny drink' becomes too overwhelming.

It is the first 30 days of your de-addiction program that prove the most crucial. Once you have got through this period, make sure to stick to your routine to avoid any further situations which may trigger a relapse. If this involves keeping away from all those weekend merrymaking sessions which invariably involve elaborate drinking sessions, do it. Many of your former acquaintances may very well be in the denial phase themselves and hence not recognize your need to stay clean. This may also lead them to try to talking you into joining them for just "One tiny drink" which may, in all probability, be your first step towards regressing into your addiction.

Although the difficulties and obstacles, which crop up when you take that first step towards de-addiction, seem overwhelming at first, don't let them weaken your resolve. As they say, perseverance pays and yours will too keep moving towards your goal relentlessly and you will discover the many beautiful facets of life which your addiction blocks out.

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Find out how to quit Drinking Alcohol by Ed Philips and Quit Alcohol Now.

Stop Drinking Alcohol - Get Rid Of This Dangerous Disease

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