How to Make A New Life For Yourself After An Addiction

Here is how to make a new life for yourself after an addiction from my own experiences with drinking and abusing alcohol.

I drank alcohol for the majority of my life, but in October of 2009 I had had enough of the life I was living and was pissed off at myself for what I put my wife and children through all the years I drank and abused alcohol. SO what did I do to fix this?  I STOPPED DRINKING ALCOHOL!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET THAT URGE TO DRINK AFTER YOU HAVE BECOME SOBER ?

Here are few things I think about when that urge to drink alcohol comes over me, and hopefully they will help you to say NO when the urge and temptation comes over you.

• Remember how you felt when you drank.
• Remember what you looked like from drinking and using drugs or alcohol.
• Remember what you did and said to the ones you loved and cared for.
• Remember how much money you spent on your addiction.
• Remember those huge nasty and painful hangovers.
• Remember when your drank and drove your automobile under the influence. 

Lets just say you are sober, and you go somewhere that is serving alcohol and your mind starts to spin out of control thinking about all the so called good times you had back when you drank alcohol. Were they really good times or just the alcohol saying to you that life is so great being drunk and stupid?

You need to think of all the times you felt so sick and what you did and said to people that you loved and cared about because the alcohol was making you say things you would normally not say being sober.

How many times have you said something nasty, and hurt the ones you loved? I can count many times for myself.  Would you really say those things being clean and sober?  I bet not my fellow friends!

Making a new life for yourself after an addiction to alcohol, or even drugs for that matter will be hard to get adjusted to because  you and I have been living with this addiction, and that addiction was a huge part of our life, and now that we became sober it will be a new life to get used to. Where has our friend and crutch gone?

A life of sobriety is the best thing in the world, and you will then see what your life is truly about when you get and stay sober.  It will be loving and respecting yourself, and loving yourself when you hated yourself and your life when you were using and drinking alcohol for so many years of your life.

You and I need to keep ourselves busy each and everyday in order to keep our minds off the addiction that we just gave up.  Keeping your mind and body busy will indeed keep your mind off of your past addiction.  I know it helps with me to staying sober.

Writing is now my passion, and knowing that I might just help one person in the world realize that there is a beautiful life out there being sober means more than anything to me.

Alway keep that Positive attitude and keep telling yourself that you will continue to beat this addiction you once had.  Your attitude in life can make or break you in anything you try to do, and that includes getting and staying sober forever.

Spend that quality time with your family and friends that you never did when you were drinking and abusing alcohol and drugs. It will be like a breath of fresh air to you, as it is to me right at this moment.

The best thing I had ever done in my life was to get out of my denial and stop drinking alcohol forever.  Sure, I will always be an alcoholic, but I will never let my past addiction to alcohol take control of my life and the lives of all the people that love and care for me.

Breaking Free Of Your Alcohol Demons

If you are someone that has been addicted to alcohol for some time, wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to break free of your alcohol demons?

I know from my own experiences with drinking alcohol that it is not as easy as many think it is, meaning those that don't have an addiction to alcohol, or those that don't drink alcohol at all.

I have heard it all in my days of drinking.  Everyone thinks it is so easy to just stop drinking and forget about everything you have done in the past. Sure. it is easy for them to say that because they are not the ones that are suffering with this horrible addiction to alcohol.

They have no idea how these demons can run and ruin ones life.  Breaking free of your alcohol demons takes a lot from you, as it did for me four years ago this month.

You need to first want to have sobriety back into your life, and not be forced into getting sober or being threatened by others. You need to want it for yourself first!

You need to have a positive attitude, and continue to tell yourself that you can and will get and stay sober.  You have to have a strong desire and determination to change your life for the better.

You need to promise yourself that once you make this huge life change and quit drinking that you will never pick up an alcoholic drink for the rest of your life, and you MUST stick to that promise to yourself no matter what happens, good or bad in your future.

This addiction is not a game, nor is it something to mess around with, such as, stopping drinking, and then you think you are cured and take that one little drink of alcohol thinking that is all you will have. Well I am here to tell you, "It will not work!"  You are about to torture yourself, and your body by thinking, Oh I have been sober for X amount of time so I should be okay to have one or two drinks. It won't work, believe me I have been there.

Don't give in and let those alcohol demons back into your life again.  They are just waiting in your body for you to mess up, and have that one or two drinks, and if you do, they are back in and I mean in worse than when you stopped drinking the first time.  Stand strong to your demons and your past addiction to alcohol.

Never give in, and always love and believe in yourself!!

MY Warning Signs Of Getting Closer To Rock Bottom

Hundreds of thousands of people drink alcohol all over the world.  Some drink to be social and relax after a hard days work, and then there are those, like myself, who just don't know when enough is enough, and when to stop drinking alcohol.

Some people that drink too much alcohol and don't know when to stop drinking begin to depend on alcohol everyday of their lives, as I did for many of years.  It started as just a fun time out with the guys, to being full blown addicted to alcohol.

I couldn't go one day without alcohol in my system.  It was now a huge part of my life, and the life I had before being addicted to alcohol was my dear family, my wife and my children.  Those people were put behind my addiction to alcohol when alcohol finally took over me.

My warning signs of getting closer to rock bottom were getting clearer as each day and week passed. I asked myself, "why do I depend on alcohol so much?"  "Why can't I go a day without drinking alcohol?"  So in reality, deep down inside me, I knew I was doing wrong in my life, but just didn't have the willpower to say no more, and to just surrender once and for all. My demons have taken over me and wouldn't let me go until, October 27, 2009 when I stopped drinking forever.

This was getting frightening to me, and was effecting my family life too.  I saw it coming slow, but sure, but I couldn't change my way of life all because of this addiction I now have.  I was afraid to try and stop drinking alcohol because I didn't know if anything bad would happen to me regarding my health and getting sick from no alcohol in my body.  Not only that, I wasn't ready to surrender to this addiction to alcohol I had.  I loved the buzz alcohol gave me, although hated the hangovers in the morning, but once that first alcoholic drink was drank I was like a new man, or was I?

WHAT WERE THE WARNING SIGNS FOR ME HEADING CLOSER TO ROCK BOTTOM:

• I needed to drink everyday, sick or not.
• I started to drink alone.
• I hid my alcohol from family and friends.
• I didn't want to ever eat with my family.
• I never ate anything until I had my fill of alcohol for that day.
• My appearance was getting worse as the weeks went by.
• I gained so much weight from the alcohol. (beer)
• I stopped wanting to go with my family to family affairs.
• I would never go anywhere unless I knew there was alcohol being served.
• If I went somewhere where alcohol WASN'T being served, I brought my own and hid it.

So, rock bottom for me was right around the corner, and if I didn't realize it when I did, I would have lost everything I worked so hard to have, and that includes my family.

Don't let yourself go to the point of being so close to rock bottom like I did.  Catch it before it is too late my friends.

Mine you, I have NOTHING against anyone that drinks alcohol.  I just wished I could drink socially, but that is impossible for me, so I just don't drink.

Drink alcohol and have a good time, BUT drink responsibly, and don't abuse alcohol or your body. You will pay for it in the end, so please be careful, and think before you drink and NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE!

When Is it Time to Seek Help And Enter A Rehab.

While we all enjoy our alcoholic drinks, some of us don't know when to quit or don't know when we have had enough of the poison that just may kill us in the end.

When is it time to seek help and enter a Rehabilitation Treatment Center?  Many people that have an addiction to alcohol may think they don't need any help whatsoever and they think they can stop drinking alcohol whenever they want.

It isn't that easy my friends.  You may think you can stop drinking alcohol, but have you tried to get sober, and stay sober for any length of time?

The time, in my opinion to seek help is:

Can not miss one day without drinking.
Can not go anywhere if alcohol is not being served.
Missing work because of that horrible hangover.
Spending money you don't have to support your addiction.
Fighting and arguing with your family, spouse and friends.
Not remembering what you did the night before.
Blackouts from over drinking.
Appearance of how you are changing week by week.
Weight gain or loss.
Waking up in the morning and the first thing you think of is when you can have that next drink. 

I tried this before and it only lasted for a short time and the reason for that was, "I simply wasn't ready to change my life and live a life of sobriety.  I am very sure you know exactly what I am talking about.

As for myself, I was one of the few fortunate alcoholics that could stop drinking alcohol on my own.  Many alcoholics, or I should say all alcoholics should look into getting themselves admitted into a Rehabilitation Treatment Center for the correct and safe way to detox if they want to get clean and sober.



It can't be that you are forced into going into these Centers, although being forced into being admitted to a Rehab.Center might save your life.

I know alcoholics that went into Rehab. for a month or a 90 day stay, and found themselves staying and being a part of the counseling for others that have been admitted in that same Rehab. Center for the same reasons, being addicted to drugs or alcohol.

It has helped them to stay sober and kept them away from the outside world of addiction, and their  friends that are still using and abusing.

They are to this day helping others as they were helped during their stay in Rehab.

The name of the game here is to get yourself sober by entering into a Rehab. Center, and then help others that are suffering from an addiction to drugs and alcohol as you were. Then, spread the word of sobriety to help others realize there is always hope for anyone that had any kind if addiction.

FIND A REHAB. CENTER IN YOUR AREA.

National Alcoholism And Substance Abuse INFORMATION CENTER

If you have an addiction to drugs or alcohol, seek the Professional Help that will get you sober and by doing so in a safe and healthy manner.

You can read more of my articles right here on HubPages.

Here is my eBook right here on Amazon.

Stop Drinking Alcohol And Get Out Of Denial

Most people I know, including myself, that are addicted to alcohol live their life in denial.  For me, I never thought for a moment that I had an addiction to alcohol although many people thought differently.

If you have a drinking problem, and abuse alcohol like so many people do, you have to stop drinking alcohol and get out of denial.

I truly believe that denial is what holds us back from getting sober and living a life of sobriety.  So many people I know, (and that includes me) thing there is nothing wrong with how much they drink.  They think that having a 12 pack or so each night is no problem at all.  The reason they think this is because that 12 pack that they built up in their system over time has no effect on their personality or the way they act after drinking that much. Little do they know right?  I have people tell me, "I will video you while you have 12 or so beers in you, and will show you when you are sober."

I know people that drink way more than a 12 pack in one night, believe me, and they think nothing of it.  They are so used to having all that alcohol that their bodies just get used to it, but the problem is they want more and more to get that buzz that they had drinking that 12 pack.

You build up that tolerance, and your body just needs more alcohol, and if you don't give your body, (and your demons) what they need you are one miserable person. Such as, running out of alcohol just as you are getting that great buzz and drunk on.

 So the first thing you must do is to admit that you have a drinking problem, and you just could be an alcoholic.  Then you need to get yourself out of the denial you have been living in for so long and take that first step towards sobriety, just like I did in 2009.

A positive attitude is required to even start on your road to recovery.  Without having a positive attitude you will get nowhere fast.  Negativity will hold you back for sure.  You can't tell yourself, "Oh, I don't know if I can get and stay sober."  That is the wrong attitude to have if you want to change your life and live your life sober.
                                               



Here is my Ebook called My Life Of Alcohol Addiction.

There are hundreds of other articles I have written on HubPages in regards to addiction to alcohol, living a happy and simple life, positive attitudes and much more.

Will Sobriety Change My Life?

For all those folks that are addicted to alcohol often may ask themselves, "will sobriety change my life" and I am here to tell you that sobriety will certainly change your life in a awesome way that would you would never even realize.

The only way to find out just how sobriety changes lives, is to go for it, and get sober once and for all.  You have nothing to lose when trying this awesome new lifestyle.  You will be surprised just life changes when you are clean and sober.

I thought about the idea to get sober a few times in my drinking days, but I thought what the heck, it is probably too late to make that change in my life since I have been drinking alcohol for so many years and the damage is done so why even try?

I was dead wrong in that theory of mind, because in October of 2009 I made that huge decision to try and get and stay sober hopefully for the last time.  I made my mind up and picked my sober date and stuck by that day, which I might add was the day I made my mind up to get sober forever.

I thought, why wait and prolong my sobriety.  If I was ready to get sober then lets just start NOW and not wait a minute longer.  That made more sense than saying, "I think I will wait until Monday after the weekend is over and I can get plastered just that one more time."

You know as well as I know that wouldn't work, because that would lead to the next weekend and so on.  I had to be sincere and honest with myself and not let anything change my mind to get and stay sober on that day I chose to stop drinking alcohol.

If you are struggling with an addiction to alcohol you need to try your hardest to get away from those demons that are ruining your life, and other lives as well.

Make up your mind once and for all and don't back down for anything.  Sure, sobriety is going to be a tough thing to achieve, but in the end, your life will be wonderful as mine is right now, writing article after article in hopes that just one article will touch someones life, and they too can find long term sobriety as I did.

Nothing good in life is easy.  It takes hard work to make it happen as staying sober will be hard work as well, but worth every bit of work and sweat.  In the long run you will be proud of yourself and those that love and care for you will be just as proud or even more proud.  You will save your own life by just surrendering to your demons once and for all.

Never think for a minute that sobriety will come to you, you have to go after sobriety full force and not stop until you have achieved long term sobriety.  It can be done by anyone if that is truly what you want in your life.  To be able to live the clean life and live a happy and healthy life as well.



SO IF YOU ARE ASKING YOURSELF OR ANYONE ELSE, WILL SOBRIETY CHANGE MY LIFE, THE ANSWER IS A HUGE YES!!! YOUR LIFE WILL INDEED CHANGE ALL FOR THE BETTER!

Visit my articles on Hubpages for more info on getting and staying sober, and how to live a happy and simple life and so much more.

How To Have The Willpower To Say No To Alcohol

Willpower is a huge word that many people that are addicted to alcohol do not have. How to have the willpower to say to alcohol is a huge thing for many people that have a drinking problem.

I can relate to those words so very well.  You know when you don't know when enough is enough when it come to your alcohol intake.  Some of us just don't know when to say, "I have had enough."

Yep I was one of those guys that it was never enough until I got that buzz I was looking for and as we all know, it takes more and more alcohol to achieve the buzz or drunk you had the last time.

Having the willpower to say NO is really rough, because you and I might think we will miss out on something if we stop drinking half way through the night, right?  The only thing we would miss out on is having a bigger hangover the next morning!

HERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT HELP ME TO SAY NO TO ALCOHOL

• I remember what it was like when I drank and abused alcohol.
• I remember how I hurt the ones that loved me and cared for me.
• I remember the money spent to get my fix for the day even though I didn't have it to spend.
• I remember the mornings I felt like shit, but knew I had to get up and go to work.
• I remember the awful things I would say being drunk, but never meant them.
• I remember how I would hide and drink alone because no one wanted to be around me drinking.
• I remember not wanting to go anywhere that alcohol wasn't being served.

I never want to feel like that again in my life, so that is why I need to say no to alcohol.  Don't get me wrong, I am not a anti-drinking guy.  I loved the drink just as much as the next person, but I never knew when to stop.

I am one of those people that CAN NOT have one or two drinks and call it the night like many people can.  I wish I could, but that will never happen.  So, the only way to stay sober for me is, "NOT TO EVER DRINK again."

Keep that Positive Attitude in everything in life, and it will help you say NO To Alcohol.  Stay Strong and never let anything or anyone stand in your way of your Sobriety.

How I Made My Life Simple After Surrendering To An Addiction To Alcohol

How I made made my life simple after surrender to an addiction to alcohol was quite simple. Here is how I changed my life around with the decision to stop drinking alcohol forever.

Alcohol as we all know can be very addictive if we don't know who to manage our drinking and start abusing alcohol.

Many times people start off drinking alcohol just to take the edge off of their life and thinking by drinking alcohol things will get a bit easier and they will forget for that moment any problems in life they may have.  The problem for me, and the problem for many drinkers is that they thought by drinking everything will be just fine.

They feel as if drinking alcohol makes them feel great and they tend to forget those problems for awhile until they sober up the next day and that problem that didn't feel that bad is right back on their doorstep waiting to be resolved.

Drinking alcohol will never fix any problems in anyone's life.  It sure didn't for me as I am sure it will never fix anything for you.  Alcohol just makes things worse, and the trend will go on and on, day after day, because the way you felt being buzzed or drunk made that problem somewhat disappear, if only for a few hours of that day.

Today, being sober since October 27, 2009 my world and my life is amazing.  All the things I thought would never happen, such as my dreams and goals to move to the New Jersey Shore are now a reality.  I really believe if you want to help yourself and change your life then things will begin to go your way. You need to help yourself first before anything or anyone will help you.

I wouldn't trade sobriety for anything in the world.  If feels so wonderful to be able to wake up in the morning and remember what you did the day before and the night before.

It is so wonderful that you are not a prisoner to your addiction.  I can get into my car anytime of the day or night and head out onto the roads with not a worry in the world of being pulled over and given that great DUI.

The only worry I have is for someone else that has been drinking and driving their automobile hits me.

I keep my promise that I would never pick up and alcoholic drink ever again and I have stuck to that promise and will continue to do so until the end of my time here on Earth.

I live a simple life now and I am very happy.  No one needs alcohol to so called be happy. Think positive and have the will, determination and a strong desire to stop drinking alcohol and it will happen.
I finally realized after many years of drinking that alcohol does not make you happy, sobriety is the most important that will change your life and make you a happy and healthier person.

I was fortunate that I didn't need AA, or any meeting.  I did it cold turkey, BUT please don't do as I did.  You may need to get the proper help and medical attention to get sober.  I took a huge chance by what I did, and would not encourage to do it that way.  Get sober safe and have the right people treating you so that you can detox in a safe and healthy manner.

So if you truly want a better life for yourself and your family you need to get out of denial and take action to change your life around all for the better and stop drinking and abusing alcohol.

If you are interested in learning how to give up alcohol then Click Here to read more.

Here is my Ebook on My Life Of Alcohol Addiction that explains just how I got started with this horrible addiction.

You can read more articles I have written on HubPages regarding ways to stop drinking and the reasons why you should stop drinking if you believe you have an addiction to alcohol. Also in these articles are Hubs about living with a positive attitude and just living a simple and happy life.

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT BOOK ON - A SIMPLE APPROACH TO LIVING A SIMPLE LIFE

Taking Action Is The Key To Sobriety

For anyone that has an addiction to alcohol and wants to get sober, there is one thing that is so important, and that is, taking action is the key to sobriety.

You will never see sobriety without taking action to change your life.  Sobriety will not fall in your lap, that's for sure.  Hard work, determination and the will to get and stay sober is the key to recovery.

Many alcoholics talk  a good game and tell many people that they want to get sober, but the truth of the matter is that they are not willing to stop drinking at that moment in their life.  They may say, I will quit drinking next week after my birthday, or any excuse to drink alcohol for a little bit longer.

If they were that determined to stop drinking they would not waste time and take action right away and not wait to that special moment.

Either you want sobriety in your life or you don't. There is no happy medium when it comes to changing your life and getting sober.

I can tell you, when I tried to stop drinking alcohol many years ago, it lasted about a month or so and then something came up in my life and it drove me right back to drinking alcohol again.  The reason I relapsed was the fact that I wasn't ready to change my life and get sober.  I used any problem that came up in my life as a excuse to start drinking again.  There should be no excuse for drinking alcohol after you have stopped for so long. You need to have the willpower to say no to the demons that lurk
inside of you just waiting for you to break and start drinking again

                                           
                                             


                                             
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If you are an alcoholic and want to get and stay sober, you must take the action needed to change your life.  Sobriety will come to you.  Sobriety must be wanted so bad in your life that you are willing to do anything to achieve it.

Sure it will be a long and hard road to recovery, but nothing in life is easy, that is worth wild, such as sobriety without hard work involved.

So get that positive attitude going and start you plans to get sober and stay sober.  Don't look back at your past, only forward to a bright, healthy, sober and happy life ahead.

How To Avoid The Temptation To Drink During The Holidays

The Holidays are coming up soon and there will be many of parties and get together s throughout Christmas and the New Years.

The problem for many people that have an addiction to alcohol is "how to avoid the temptation to drink during the Holidays."

The biggest problem for many with an addiction to alcohol is when they stop drinking just before the Holidays are coming, like I did over 3 years ago.  I stopped drinking on October 27, 2009 when Thanksgiving and Christmas were near by.  It was a tough time for me, but I was determined to stay sober no matter what the Holiday was and who I was with during those Holidays.

Once you make up your mind to stop drinking you have to stick with it no matter what happens in your life and no matter what the day of the year is.

If you have surrender to your demons, don't ever give in to them ever again, because if you happen to do so you will be back in the same boat as you were before, and that is drinking and abusing alcohol.  Believe me it will not be pleasant knowing that you gave into your demons the morning after.

AVOIDING THAT TEMPTATION TO DRINK

• Continue to think of how hard you worked to get and stay sober.  
• Continue to keep that Positive Attitude every second of the day.
• Remember how you felt when you drank alcohol and all the mornings hungover.
• Look at your spouse and family and think how disappointed and hurt they would be if you drank.
• Look at yourself and how disappointed you would be of your own self if you drank alcohol.
• Drink your soda or coffee and mingle with all those at the party just as if you were drinking right along with them.
• If they ask you why you are not drinking, be proud and say, "I stopped drinking and never will drink again."

If you want to stop drinking alcohol and live a clean and sober life, then CLICK HERE to read just how you can do it and live the rest of your life with sobriety.

So when you are out at your Holiday parties don't be embarrassed that you are not drinking and carrying on with the others.  Be proud that you have the strength to say no and that you don't need alcohol to have a great time.


If you are looking for cell phone information here is a link that may help you http://www.touristhaven.net/ . a blog from a friend of mine.

How To Get Ready To Walk The Road To Recovery

Here is my version of "how to get ready to walk the road to recovery."

First and foremost, you must want to change your life and start to live a life of sobriety.  Until you have admitted you have an addiction to alcohol, and need help, your road to recovery is not in the cards just yet.

You have to really want to live life clean and sober, and I don't mean for a week or month, I mean Long Term Sobriety. Forever without another drink of alcohol.  Do you think you can handle that, or do you think you will cheat while sober and just have a drink or two every now and then?

If you are sober now that is wonderful, but as the Holiday's are approaching us the alcoholic that has sobered up has that temptation and the urge to drink.  I know for myself it is a touch road when these Holiday's come around each year.

You see some many people drinking alcohol and just having a grand ole time while you sit there sober and drinking your soda or coffee.  The parties are everywhere around Christmas time, and then New Years Eve comes and the booze really is flowing at many New Years parties.

How can you stop the urge to drink alcohol during these times of big parties?

1. Remember just how hard you worked to get on the road to recovery.
2. Remember how you felt each morning after a heavy night of drinking.
3. Remember how you acted when you drank too much alcohol and made a fool of yourself.
4. Remember what you almost loss when you were addicted to alcohol.
5. Remember how much money you have saved from stopping drinking.
6. Remember the arguments and fights you had with your spouse or friend because of your drinking.
7. Remember those days you got behind the wheel being so drunk because you just didn't care.
8. Remember being pulled over and given a DUI.
9. Remember the horrible things you said to someone that meant so much to you.
10. Remember the buzz you had was only temporary, until the next time you drank.  It is nothing but a vicious cycle, day after day.
11. THESE THINGS SHOULD MAKE YOU THINK TWICE WHILE AT A PARTY AND YOU HAVE THE URGE TO DRINK.

It will take lots of work to get on that road to recovery, but once there, and you stay on that road, life will be so much better for you and those that love and care for you, such as your families and friends.  

HERE IS HOW I PREPARED MYSELF FOR THE ROAD OF RECOVERY.

1. I took a good hard look at my life as it was at that moment.
2. I looked around at those that loved and cared for me and wondered if drinking alcohol was worth losing all of this love and respect they have for me.
3. I had to get out of the mood of being negative and change that to Positive Attitude.
4. I looked at what I was depriving my family from my addiction to alcohol.
5. Preparing yourself for the road to recovery takes thought and the willpower to stop drinking alcohol.
6. You must have the willpower, determination and the strength to say NO MORE to the demons that have run and ruined your life, and when you see what they have done to you and what they are going to do to you in the future, you may what to think long and hard to stop drinking and get on that new road to recovery.

**Here is a great website by a friend of mine that will help you sober up and have long term sobriety back into your life.  He has great Pod Casts, and so much information on stopping drinking alcohol and turning your life around, as I have, and he has as well.  It is called Living Sober Sucks, (but living drunk sucks more).  Check it out for it will help you get on that road to recovery.

**As for myself, I wrote this eBook a couple years ago regarding how I started drinking and and my life of alcohol addiction.

So if you want a new life and get out of the addicted life of alcohol then here is what you should think about doing:
* Think positive, and continue to tell yourself that you can and will find long term sobriety.
* Have the strong desire and the willingness to change your life once and for all.
* Don't let anything or anyone steer you off the road of recovery no matter what.

God Bless all those that have an addiction to alcohol and want to change their life around.  Keep telling yourself that you can do it, and before you know it you will be on that road to recovery.  Stay strong, believe in yourself, and keep that positive attitude in everything you do in life.

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Living With A Spouse That Has An Addiction To Alcohol

Are you living with a spouse that has an addiction to alcohol?  If so, what do you do to try and make living with that spouse a bit more easier?

I don't have all the answers, but I can tell you that my wife put up with me drinking alcohol everyday for years.  Sometimes when love is so true and unconditional, spouses seem to just hang in there hoping for a miracle that the person they love will see the light and stop drinking alcohol forever.

In my case, and I am sure millions of people throughout the world, have had the same problem.  They wish so bad that their loved one would stop abusing and drinking alcohol.  They wait and wait hoping they will quit drinking and start living a life of sobriety.

How long should you really wait until you just give up on your spouse surrendering to his/her addiction to alcohol?  I just think it depends on how much you love that person and how determined you are and want that person to see the light and stop drinking alcohol and get back to his/her real self without relying on the crutch of alcohol.

Life is so precious and we the alcoholics don't even realize what we are doing to the people that love and care for us so much.  We are not only killing ourselves, but we are destroying our families and the ones that love us.  Alcohol blinds us so much and runs our lives everyday, we can't see what we are doing to others,a and if by chance we do see it, we don't care because the alcohol tells us different.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP YOUR LOVED ONE STOP DRINKING ?

• You are helping your spouse by enabling him/her in their addiction to alcohol.
• You have to be strong and be able to say no, I will not give you any money to support your addiction.
• You have to be stern. but not so that you and your spouse begin to fight and argue over the addiction that is ruining your lives.  I have seen, and have been there, when my wife would approach me regarding how much alcohol I drink and that I should really stop.  I would listen as many alcoholics do, until the sober spouse has said so much that the alcoholic gets more upset and starts to drink even more just out of spite.  It is a vicious cycle, day in and day out.  
• You must talk to the alcoholic in a way that you make are making a strong point letting them know how unhappy you are and you want this relationship or marriage to work and not be ruined by the addiction to alcohol they have.
• I have found that talking in a civil manner helps more than screaming and yelling at your spouse.  Be calm, but stern about your concerns of their addiction.  Try to explain to them that they are ruining their health and destroying the love that they once had.
• I know from my experiences of drinking alcohol for years that no matter what a spouse says to the alcoholic, the alcoholic will never stop drinking until he/she is ready to do it on their own and not be forced into sobriety.  
• I had quit drinking a couple of times just to make peace in the household, but over time when I felt that everything had calmed down, I felt save to start drinking again.  I would start out with a beer or two and then BANG I went right back to old ways of pounding them down all night long.  I am sure many alcoholics have done the exact same thing.  To stop for awhile to just make peace.  It will never work, believe me. You have to want sobriety and until then no matter what anyone says or what Rehab. Center you may go in, long term sobriety will never happen until you have it in your heart to stop drinking and stop forever.
• It is really a hard thing to do if you fight it, but if you just look at your life and those around you that love you, sobriety will happen when you are ready and not before.
• Rehab. Centers are wonderful, but you have to stick to it even after being released and not think you can have a drink or two at a party, etc.  You will relapse faster than you can shake a stick, as they say.

**Love yourself and others enough to stop drinking alcohol forever.  Save your life, and save your relationship and marriage.  Don't let alcohol run and ruin your life.

Anyone can stop drinking if you put your mind to it and think with a POSITIVE ATTITUDE that you will get and stay sober.  Believe in yourself and love yourself enough to stop drinking.

How To Face Your Inner Demons

Have you ever had something or someone in your life that you were scared to death to face?  How afraid are you to face that situation?  There is one thing many people that are addicted to alcohol are afraid to face and that is their addiction and the demons that lie deep with in them.

You have to be a strong and determined person to know how to face your inner demons.  Many of us learn the hard way and then there are those that nip it in the bud before it gets out of hand. The sad part is that we don't know what to expect when we decide to get clean and sober and are scared to death to live without our crutch and addiction by our side.  I know I was so afraid of how my body would react with the absence of alcohol and I am very sure every person with an addiction that wants to get sober feels the same.

We all have to learn to face our demons and addictions head on and not let anything or anyone stand in the way of us achieving long term sobriety.  I know it sounds easier said than done, but if you want a better life for you and your family you have to face this addiction problem head on and full force.

First and foremost, you have to want to change your life and get clean and sober in order to face your demons.  If you are not ready to stop drinking all together and completely then it will hard to face anything including your inner demons.

Be stronger than your addiction and stop letting your demons and addiction run and ruin your one and only life you have. Anything can be achieved in life including sobriety if you really want it bad enough.

Look at yourself, you are getting tired and more depressed each and everyday.  You think you are nothing in this world we live and no one even cares about you so why not just drink alcohol to ease the pain.  Don't run from your problems and turn to alcohol to try and solve them because I can tell you, "IT WILL NOT WORK", it only makes matters much worse.

So if you really want sobriety in your life again then I would advise you to stand up for who you are and stop drinking or using.  Stand up to your inner demons and start living the clean life like you were meant to do.

Words From One Alcoholic To Another

Here are my words from one alcoholic to another and my questions to you.

Can you say that you love yourself?
Can you say you love your families and friends?
Can you say you put your addictions above all else?
Can you stop your alcohol or drug addiction?
Can you say you love your addiction more than anything else in your life?
Can you say you are happier being drunk or high?

These are just a few questions to think about if you are suffering from an addiction of any kind and don't know where to turn or how to get clean and sober.  My advice to you goes as follows, and this is only my personal experiences with drinking alcohol and not Medical advise to you.

Lets start with question number one shall we, regarding, do you love yourself.  I think anyone suffering from an addiction has a underlying problem deep down in them self and doesn't know how to express their feelings, so they keep this inside and possibly drink or use to get a release from whatever maybe bothering them deep down inside.  Many of us may not really know what the problem is, but know something is not right with their life.  I felt that something was bothering me inside, but couldn't pin point exactly what it was, so I drank alcohol to get that feeling of freedom from whatever problem was bugging me and before I knew it I was addicted. I now know that drinking alcohol never did answer that mysterious question of what was bothering me deep down and in fact, drinking alcohol will never fix or heal anything.  It will only mask the problem for a short time until you sober up and reality sets back in.

Question number two is in regards to loving your families and friends so do you really love them and have unconditional love?  We all say "I love you" but do you really mean it or just saying it to save face?  Can you honestly say you love your families and friends enough to stop drinking or using drugs?  I bet not only because your addiction has taken over your life and is first and for most number one in your life and everything else is secondary and above all, you really don't love them because you are hurting all of them deeply by your actions and behaviors regarding your addictions.

Question number three is in regards to putting your addiction above all else and I can honestly say that I did put my addiction before anything and never thought once about who I hurt by doing so.  There are some tell tail signs that I can tell you regarding my actions and putting my alcohol addiction first above all.  I will never go anywhere unless there was alcohol being served and if it wasn't served I would bring and hide my own stash.  It is like having a broken leg and you need to bring your crutch with you to help you deal with your broken leg and help you walk.  Well alcohol was my crutch and I didn't feel comfortable going anywhere without it.  I am sure just about any alcoholic can and will agree with me by their actions and the way their life is without their own crutch. Addiction come first for the alcoholic and everything else is next in line.

Question number four is about stopping drinking and using of drugs.  Do you think you can walk away from your addiction and never look back.  Of course you can, But you really don't want to for the fear that lies inside of you and your fear of how you will survive without you addiction in your life.  When I quit drinking alcohol, I was scared to death and I fear of how my body would react with the absence of the alcohol I learned to love and what was a huge part of my life.  Any of us can quit drinking or using if and only if you have made your mind up that you have had enough and what your old life of sobriety back.  When you have finally made your mind up to surrender to your addiction and have admitted you have a problem and need help is when you life will begin to turn around all for the better, but you must be determined and willing to do what it takes to make this huge change in your life..

Question number five is loving your addiction more than anything else in life and I can say for myself, I loved to drink alcohol and treasured the feeling it gave me and the confidence and so called strength it gave me, so I thought.  I would be mingling with the best of the drinking and felt so in with the other alcoholic. I felt like I really fit in with all that were in the same boat as I was saying to myself that this is a great life and the hip thing to do.  I would say that anyone that didn't drink alcohol didn't know what life was really about and just to have fun.  Man was I dead wrong on that one.  Now sober I feel so sorry for those that are still addicted to this horrible disease of alcoholism and this is exactly why I write every night in hopes I will hit home to someone in need of a clean and sober life.

Question number six is all about being happy and if you think you are a happier person being drunk or high.  Many people that are addicted to drugs or alcohol really forget what true happiness is in their life.  Many of the addicted think by drinking or using will make them a happy person, but in fact they are getting more and more depressed as each drink is drank and each drug is used.  Sure in the beginning you think, wow this crap is good and I feel like I am on the top of the world and nothing is bothering me now as long as I continue to stay buzzed.  Yeah right, what about when the buzz wears off?  How do you feel then?  I bet you felt like crap, and this is exactly why we drink and use again, to get that feeling of so called happiness back into our life.  In fact, we are all drinking our life away.  As each day passes, you will never be able to regain that day back again.  It is gone forever.  If you really want to experience true happiness in your life, try changing it and stop drinking alcohol and work on getting and staying clean and sober.  Remember, we all are here on earth but one time so why not be happy in a natural way and clean way. 

I am not a Doctor or a Therapist by no means, but I can tell you a few things about drinking alcohol and how to ruin your life if you let your addiction get the best of you.  I am here to say that I am clean and sober for over two years and my life couldn't be better, so why can't you at least give sobriety a shot and give your one and only life you have a second chance and let yourself experience true happiness in the light of being Clean and Sober.