Alcoholism is a huge problem that can affect all areas of your life. As an addiction victim, you may find yourself locked into an unhealthy habit with no way to unshackle yourself. It worsens when you start experiencing withdrawal symptoms, which throws your brain and body into panic mode, pushing you to return to the substance you swore to stay away from.
In such instances, seeking professional alcohol rehab services in Portland can help. However, wanting to seek help isn’t enough; you must go through the seven steps of addiction recovery to beat the habit and emerge a sober person.
In this article, we explore the 7 steps to overcome alcoholism. We also provide compassionate advice on how to help loved ones who are battling with addiction.
Acceptance and Acknowledgment
The first and most critical step in overcoming alcoholism is to accept that there is a problem and to acknowledge the need for change. Denial often prevents victims from seeking help, and without acceptance, recovery becomes nearly impossible. As an addiction victim, embracing the reality that you are struggling with a problem is the first clear sign of progress.
On the other hand, friends and family members can also help on the journey to acceptance and acknowledgment. This can be done through holding interventions supervised by a professional. Interventions are aimed at helping the victim realize the problem, how it is affecting them and their loved ones, as well as the available support towards reclaiming their lives.
Seek Professional Help
Overcoming alcoholism is challenging, and seeking professional help is vital for a successful recovery. Once you’ve realized the problem and its extent, the next step is to contact a healthcare professional, therapist, or counselor that is experienced in addiction treatment.
Such professionals can provide valuable guidance, create a personalized treatment plan, and offer support throughout your recovery process.
Please remember that addiction treatment is hugely personal. This means there is no cookie-cutter approach to addressing individual struggles. Ensure that your therapist carefully analyzes your struggles, diagnoses co-occurring disorders, and provides helpful treatment therapies to address those concerns.
Build a Support System
Surrounding yourself with a strong support system is essential in overcoming alcoholism. Inform your close friends and family about your decision to get sober, and lean on their encouragement and understanding. Consider joining a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), where you can connect with others facing similar challenges, share experiences, and learn from one another.
It’s also helpful if you can take advantage of family therapy, especially if you have some unresolved trauma from childhood or family issues that may have contributed to your struggles. By incorporating your family into your treatment, you can be sure of a more supportive team while you reinvent yourself and take control of your life.
Create a Sobriety Plan
Developing a structured sobriety plan is crucial for maintaining progress and avoiding relapse. Set realistic and achievable goals, both short-term and long-term.
It would help if you worked with your therapist or counselor to identify triggers and create strategies to cope with them effectively. This may include changing your circle of social friends, avoiding certain gatherings that may trigger or tempt you, picking up new and healthy hobbies, and more.
Learn Coping Strategies
Alcoholism often stems from using alcohol as a coping mechanism for stress, anxiety, or unresolved emotions. To overcome alcoholism in the long term, learning healthier ways to cope with life’s challenges is vital.
You can consider therapy to address any underlying issues and develop positive coping strategies such as mindfulness practices, journaling, or seeking creative outlets.
You can also dig deeper into your interests, including dancing, signing up for physical exercise classes like pole dancing, yoga, meditation, and more. You can also sign up for gyms, boxing classes, etc.
Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle
Much of your sober days should be spent on reversing the harmful effects of your previous lifestyle choices. This can be through the adoption of a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Focus more on activities like regular exercise, nutritious diets, and enough sleep.
Physical activity can boost your mood and reduce cravings, while proper nutrition helps repair the body from alcohol-related damage.
Celebrate Milestones and Practice Self-Compassion
Recovery from alcoholism is a gradual process, and it’s essential to celebrate every milestone, no matter how small. Each day of sobriety is a victory worth acknowledging. Additionally, practice self-compassion and forgive yourself for any setbacks. Recovery may not always be linear, but what matters is the commitment to keep moving forward.
