Do you know someone who has a severe drinking problem and needs to seek treatment? There are many types of treatment options for someone who wants to know how to stop drinking alcohol and live a healthy life. Standard treatment for alcohol abuse usually includes an inpatient stay in rehab, some form of aftercare and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings. It can also include psychotherapy, outpatient treatment and group therapy. Treatment, however, is only as effective as the desire of an alcoholic to recover, and recovery is challenging. Some statistics report that after one year, only 5% of alcoholics who enter treatment are still sober, and that after 5 years, only 2% remain sober. These odds are not encouraging, but with commitment and willingness, alcoholics of all descriptions do recover.
One of the tenets of recovery is that an alcoholic must change his associations, meaning no more bars or hanging with friends who drink. This can be very difficult, since it often leaves the recovering person with no social network at all. Recovering alcoholics benefit greatly from support groups such as AA. These groups provide a broad and diversified fellowship in which the recovering person can be “a part of”, forming connections and relationships with other recovering people. The recovering person may need to change more than associations. Many alcoholics find that they no longer enjoy the work they did while drinking and must change careers. Relationships may change or end as the recovering alcoholic changes. These transitions may be difficult and stressful but, with the support of AA and others, can be successfully negotiated.
The Twelve Steps of AA provide a pathway to sustained, successful sobriety. These steps are worked with an AA sponsor who has long-term recovery and experience in working the steps. Although challenging, recovery can be an exciting and adventurous journey for any alcoholic willing to change, learn and grow.