Are You Going Crazy Without Alcohol In Your Life?

This is a question for those that have had an addiction to alcohol and have then found sobriety. "Are you going crazy without alcohol in your life?"

I know as far as my life with my own addiction to alcohol, it was indeed very hard to make that decision to stop drinking alcohol forever.

When you have had alcohol in your life for so many years and it become a huge part of your life it is so hard to just say goodbye, I have had enough of this torture

I have to admit in the beginning of my journey to living a life of sobriety it was hard and I was truly going crazy, because I didn't know what to do with myself.  I was so used to having a beer in my hands and now I have nothing by maybe a coffee or water.  Those two things gave me no buzz as you might know.  I longed to get that buzz I was so used to, but I knew if I broke and took that one drink of alcohol I would be right back to where I was drinking and abusing alcohol each and everyday.

I can relate to all those that are going through this torture.  As time passed by it did get easier having no alcohol in my hands and I started to think of things that would keep my mind off the alcohol and the buzz I loved to have.

Here is what I think about when those urges and cravings come about to have a drink of alcohol:

• I think of all the bad things I said and did while being drunk.
• I think of how I felt each morning I woke up after drinking all night.
• I think what I put my family through each and everyday I drank.
• I think of all the money I spent on something that was killing me slowly.
• I think of my physical appearance and how it declined each day that passed.

I could go on and on about the negative things alcohol brings upon a person, but I am sure you know what it does not only to the alcoholic, but the ones that love and care for the alcoholic, such as your spouse, children, parents and close and dear friends.

Once you and I have gotten sober it is then our job to stay sober no matter what life throws out way. We can not break and turn to the bottle just because something didn't go right or a problem has come up.

Whatever the case may be we all can handle it without alcohol, because as you all know alcohol fixes nothing, in fact it only makes things much much worse than they really are.  So, get and stay sober no mater what happens in your life.

There will always be times that you are going crazy without alcohol in your life, but you will survive and that craving will pass as long as you don't give in to the demons that are knocking at your door to get back into your life.

Abusing Alcohol - What Is Your Future Looking Like ?

There is nothing at wrong with having a social drink now and again, but for many people such as myself, having a social drink once in awhile is impossible.

For millions of people, one or two drinks is not enough, and that includes me. Sure I loved to drink alcohol just as much as the next person, but a social drink just didn't cut it.  I needed more and more in order to get to that feeling alcohol gives everyone.

Abusing alcohol, what is your future looking like, I have to ask you?

Do you feel if you continue to abuse alcohol the way you are now your future will be bright and healthy?  In my opinion, I don't think so.

Alcohol makes us feel as if we can conquer anything in the world.  It makes us feel like we know everything.  It makes us feel we are indestructible, and the next morning it makes us feel sick, hungover and wondering why did we drank too much.

It is really worth abusing our bodies with alcohol and for others, drugs.  We all know, or at least we should know, alcohol and drugs will catch up with us sooner or later, and when it does, we will be very sorry we abused alcohol and drugs the way we did over the years.

Here we are in a new years 2015, so how about starting it off with a new outlook on life and try your hardest to stop drinking and abusing alcohol, and in other cases using drugs.

We are all here on Earth but one time, so make that one and only life you have a wonderful and sober life, and start the New Year of 2015 a great one, and one to be proud of.

By saying being proud of, means, that you changed your life and realized that alcohol and drugs will kill you in the end and you have made that decision to change and live that one life you have clean and sober.

Lets make 2015 a year to remember by living life with sobriety.  You will thank yourself in the end!

Are You Afraid Of The Holidays Coming Because Of Your Past Addiction?

Well everyone, the Holidays are right around the corner, and for those like myself, it is tough to watch others drink and have a good time during these upcoming Holidays, or is it?

Are you afraid of the Holidays coming because of your past addiction?  I bet you are, just as I am afraid.  Yes, the temptation is always there, and everywhere you look people are at Holiday parties, in bars, clubs etc. drinking and having a so called a good time, till the next morning right?  That is something I will never miss, those massive hangovers.

Listen everyone, I know it will be hard for all of us that have had a past with battling our addiction of alcohol, and for many others, drugs.  We are battling our addiction every single day, but we all have to be stronger than the addiction that once ran and almost ruined our lives, and the lives of the very ones that loved and cared for us, and hopefully still do.  I hope and pray we all got sober before it was too late.

I have been clean and sober since October 27, 2009 and have gone to many parties, bars and other functions that alcohol was at my hands reach.  In fact, my daughter got married and even though I bought all the alcohol for the reception, I had not one drop, not even a toast, because I know myself, and know if I were to take just that one sip and taste what alcohol feels like back on my tongue, I would be doomed and right back to my drinking and abusing alcohol once more.

I can not do that to myself and ruin all the hard work it took to first off, stop drinking, and secondly, the work it takes to stay sober each and everyday.  It truly isn't worth that one sip or that one drink my friends.  I hope you feel the same way and have the strength and willpower to say NO Thank You, I don't drink anymore.

Be proud of your sobriety, and tell those that may ask you if you want a drink during these Holidays, or any day for that matter, No I stopped drinking, but Thank you anyway, I'll pass on that.  

I love to brag about my sobriety as you should too.  After all, we worked our ass off just to get sober and still working each and everyday just to stay sober. 

Don't be afraid of the upcoming Holidays.  Just sit back and enjoy yourself SOBER.  You will thank yourself for not drinking, or even having that temptation.  It is not worth it, for that one more and probably many more buzzes ahead if you are too weak and break.  Be strong and proud of your sobriety.  Your body will indeed thank you too.

I have learned since I have been sober, I have more fun at parties and functions that alcohol is being served than I ever did when I depended on alcohol to make me think WOW I had a blast at the party last night, etc. IT IS FAKE FUN REALLY.

How Families Suffer With An Alcoholic In The Family

No one really knows how families suffer with an alcoholic in the family, unless you have been there yourself.

As many of you know from my past post and my writing on various other sites, I was and still am an alcoholic.  The name of alcoholic will be with me till the end of time, but you know what, I am good with that.

October of this year, 2014 I have been clean and sober with not. a drop to drink.  Since my sobriety I now realize what I had put my family through while I was drinking and abusing alcohol.  I feel horrible now, but I made good for all the years I was addicted to the poison that almost ruined my life and my marriage.

I can not stress enough with my post and articles I write, that alcohol ruins and kills.  It may take some time, but it will happen sooner or later, sad to say.

Granted, I loved to drink alcohol and loved the feeling that alcohol gave me, but as many years went by I began to realize that this addiction to alcohol I have is getting me nowhere except on a downward spin into hell.

If you or someone you know are addicted to alcohol, sit back and look around you and see how your addiction is making your family suffer.  You have the addiction, but your family and dear friends are suffering right along with you, and in fact, possibly suffering more than you even will know. The are crying inside to try and figure out what to say to you to make you realize that you are killing yourself, slow but sure.

The families want to help, but so many times the alcoholic refuses to listen, nit even one bit.  The family members are wrong, and the alcoholic lives in denial. This is what I felt and thought all through the years of abusing alcohol.

Please try and and help yourself start a new life, and a new life for those that love and care so much about you.

Look into your future and see where your life will be if you continue to drink and abuse alcohol as you are right now.  I can guarantee your future will look very bad.  So, in that case, do something about your life and make that change by stopping drinking, and I will promise, your life and those lives around you will look brighter and brighter each day you are sober.

Fighting For Your Life In Recovery

When someone has been addicted to alcohol or drugs for most of their lives there comes a time that many will say, "enough is enough".  This was my life while drinking and abusing alcohol for many years.

I started drinking alcohol at the age of nineteen because of something that came into my life that I felt I couldn't handle being sober, so I took up drinking thinking this would be the fix all of my problems, and was I ever wrong.

Nothing got fix, in fact with drinking and abusing this drug over the years I depended on alcohol each and everyday as a result.  As the years went by I realized, "I am an alcoholic!" I thought that just drinking to feel good would wind up me being an alcoholic in the future.

There was one thing though.  I knew deep down inside that I was addicted to alcohol, but I just never wanted to admit to others, and I in turn I really lived in denial.  I told myself, and other I could stop drinking alcohol anytime I wanted, but I knew for a fact that this addiction to alcohol got the best of me and it showed according to others that knew me, including my wife and children.

Fighting for your life in Recovery would be the next thing I would have to do, once I finally got out of the denial I lived in for so long, and decided to get and stay sober.

As you all might know, especially those alcoholics out there that are reading this, it is not a easy thing to say goodbye to the one thing you love and depend on each and everyday.

If I wanted to save my family, and in the long run, save my own life, I would have to surrender to the demons that had control of my life and the lives of my family.

On the night of October 26, 2009 I finally made up my mind to surrender once and for all to the demons of alcohol.  I sat in the garage as I usually did all alone ready to open my first of many beers for that night and all of a sudden a voice came in to my head.  That voice was the voice of God,

Many of you may not believe it, and then some of you just might.  I wrote a hub on this experience of the night of October 26th and it is titled "A Life Changing Whisper."

That was the night that changed my life.  To be able to hear the words of God in my head.  I sat with a beer in my hand not even opened yet.  I sat and listened to the words spoken to me and to tell you truth those words frightened me to death, because I knew right then that I MUST do something to change my life right that moment.

I put the beer down, that I never opened, and said to myself, "tomorrow October 27, 2009 will be the change in my life, and I will never ever pick up a alcoholic drink for the rest of my life."

October 27th is only day away as I write this and it will be 5 years clean and sober for me.  This is something I never thought I could ever do.  I thought all those years that I drank, why stop drinking now, the damage is already done with all the years I drank and abused alcohol, so why bother now was my words for many years."  I was wrong in that statement I said to myself.

So ever since that day in October of 2009 my life has changed in so many ways, but believe me it was not easy to say goodbye to my addiction, BUT I did it and so can you!

Remember, each and everyone of us only have one life to live, so why would we destroy it with an avoidable addiction to either alcohol or drugs?

I truly can't believe in a few days I will be clean and sober for 5 years! My sobriety not only changed my life, but I have changed the lives of my wife, children, families members and dear friends, and I am not talking about the so called friends I drank with because they are all out of my life ever since I stopped drinking alcohol, for we now have nothing in common.  Sad to say, But very true.

So just remember, you need to fight for your life while in recovery, because everyday there may be some type of temptation or urge to drink again.  I (we) will always be alcoholics no matter how you look at it, but we all must be stronger than the demons that once ran our lives, and other lives that we were so close to.

Be strong each and everyday of you new life. Stay clean and sober and try to help others as I do to make them understand that there is HOPE for every alcoholic and drug addict. 

If you get sober and just happen to relapse, get back up and try again until you get it right. Anything is possible in life if you truly want it bad enough and that includes a life of  long term sobriety!

Why Do So Many People Abuse Alcohol?

Here is a question for us all of us that drink and abuse alcohol.  "Why do so many people abuse alcohol?"

These are my thoughts, and my experiences of why I drank and abused alcohol, and maybe some of my thoughts here may reflect on your life as a person that abuses alcohol to the extent of being addicted to it.

• I thought that drinking and abusing alcohol would solve any problem I might of had at that moment and beyond.
• I thought that more people would take a liking to me because I was cool and drank alcohol.
• I felt as if I could really speak my mind more openly without being nervous when speaking.
• I thought that I knew all the answers to everything when I drank.
• I thought that I was a fun person when I drank and acted like a fool.

The fact is that I just loved the feeling that alcohol gave me.  When I first tried alcohol at a very age it was just out of curiosity and a experiment with the guys.  That curiosity and so called experiment turned into an addiction to alcohol.  I couldn't live a day without it as the years went by and was so used to having the buzz that alcohol gave me, it turned out to be a huge part of my everyday living.

I didn't mean to get addicted to alcohol.  I didn't wake up one day and say, "I want to be an alcoholic."  This goes for anyone that has an addiction of any sorts.

I never knew by drinking alcohol as just an experiment with my friends would turn out to be a horrible addiction to it.  This crap we call alcohol, if we are not careful will take hold of your body and soul and then watch out, because once those demons get hold of you it will be hard to get rid of them.  It took years and years to get my demons off my shoulders.

PLEASE don't let alcohol get the best of you because we all know that once addicted your life will slowly change for the worse.  You will begin to loss everything one by one as I came so close to doing until I finally had the strength and willpower to say NO MORE and finally surrendered to my inner demons.  

I have to tell you that by quitting drinking has changed my life completely around all for the better.  If I knew, in which deep down I did know, I would of stopped drinking alcohol years ago, but that is the past and now I am working on my recovery and my long term sobriety and know I am beating the demons inside of me each and everyday.

Don't let alcohol ruin your life and the lives of all the people that are in your life.  Be strong and have the willingness and desire to change your life as I did.

If I could do this and get sober so can anyone that has an addiction to alcohol.  Keep that positive attitude in your life every single day and believe if you want sobriety back into your life than it will happen just like it happened to me.

Don't get me wrong, I am not against having a couple of social drinks with family and friends, BUT if you can not control your drinking and drink responsibly then you should consider not drinking at all.  That was the huge problem I had.  I could not just have one or two drinks and call it a day.  It was never enough alcohol for me once I got started drinking. I needed to feel that buzz my body longed for each and everyday. If you feel you can not get sober on your own then PLEASE ask for the help you need to help you get sober and live that beautiful life of sobriety!

You can read more of my articles written on HubPages on addictions, sobriety, positive attitudes, Jersey Shore Living and much more right HERE.
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How Remembering Your Past Alcohol Addiction Helps With Your Recovery And Long Term Sobriety

This has helped me in many ways over the past years of my sobriety.  How remembering your past alcohol addiction helps with your recovery and long term sobriety.

I have been sober since October 27, 2009, and I must say it has been a journey to say the least. Many times during those years of recovery the urge and temptation to drink alcohol again came over more than I can say.

Once the urge or temptation came on me I admittedly thought of my past drinking days and what I did to myself and those that loved and cared for me. I remembered the wrong things I said, and the wrong things I did.  By thinking of my past addiction, and the things I did and said put a stop to the urge and temptation to drink alcohol again.

I knew and learned over the years that drinking alcohol solved nothing, and in fact only made things worse.  I drank alcohol all those years thinking that whatever was wrong in my life it would just go away by drinking and abusing alcohol.

If you are in recovery and those temptations and urges come over you, like they do me, just remember those bad days of your addiction and hopefully that reminder of those days will put a stop to picking up that drink of alcohol.  It really works for me and I truly think it will work for you, BUT you have to be stronger than that temptation and those urges to drink.

Another thing that pops into my mind when that urge to drink comes over me is all the years I have been sober and if I were to touch that drop of alcohol all those years would be in vein,, meaning I would have to start at day one in my sobriety and that is something you or I would never want to happen!

So, this is what really helps me to stay clean and sober, and hopefully this will help you to remain sober when that temptation or urge to drink comes over you.

Granted, I am sure that urge will come over you, more than once during your recovery, as it does me, but if you think of what your past was while drinking and abusing alcohol, and give that urge some time to pass, you will be just fine.  Just do yourself a favor and never give in to the demons that will always be inside our bodies. You must be much stronger than them, and if you keep that positive attitude and stay strong (you and I will be just fine!)

God Bless all those that have made it to sobriety and have had the strength to surrender to their inner demons, and God Bless all those that are still coping with their addiction to alcohol, but never fear, with the right frame of mind, having a positive attitude and having the willingness to stop drinking forever, all will be fine for you.  

It is not the end of the world because you have an addiction, but it could be if you don't change your life around for the better.  

I DID IT AND SO CAN YOU!

How To Stop The Urge To Drink Alcohol While In Recovery

Here is how to stop the urge to drink alcohol while in recovery from what works best for me now being sober for over four years.

As we all know, or for anyone that has an alcohol addiction problem, we know that urges and temptations to drink alcohol come over us more than once while we are trying to stay sober.  For myself when those urges come over me I look back at the dark days of hell when I drank and abused alcohol.

It is a reminder of just how my life was, always depending on the alcohol to make me have a good day, so I thought.

You need to really think of what you put your body through, and not only that, what you put your family and friends through while you were drinking and abusing alcohol.  You know that when we drink too much, and are addicted to the substance that just may ruin your life, and the lives of others, you have to realize once you are sober and that urge comes about you can not give in ever!

The demons that are still inside us are just waiting for us to mess up and pick up that one glass of alcohol.  That one glass of alcohol that will be the ruination of out sobriety.

I know for myself, if I were to touch one sip of alcohol it would be the end of my long term sobriety, and I am sure it would be the same for anyone that has been sober for some time.  All of us have to be stronger than any urge or temptation to drink alcohol and it has to be forever.

Here is what I think about when that urge to drink comes over me:

• How I felt while drinking and abusing alcohol.
• What I put my family through all those years of drinking.
• The money I spent on alcohol instead of spending it on my families needs.
• The massive hangovers every morning.
• What I began to look like over time appearance wise.
• How I felt physically and mentally.
• How negative I became.
• How I felt sorry for myself and wondered why nothing ever went my way.

These are just a few things I think of when that urge to drink comes over me.  Believe me it is enough to say NO to alcohol.

Back in October of 2009, the 26th to be exact, I made a promise to myself that no matter what ever happened in my life, whether it be good or bad I would never pick up an alcoholic drink ever again and believe me, many things have happened over the last four years, some good and some bad, BUT it was never enough to make me drink alcohol again.

I always thought drinking alcohol would solve all my troubles in life and once I became sober I found out that that theory, or saying was dead wrong!  Alcohol solved NOTHING, it only made matters worse!  

Now being sober for the last four years I feel so much better.

My appearance has improved 100%.

All the weight I gained while drinking has disappeared, and I am back to the weight I should be.

My family and married life has changed 100%, all for the better.

No more massive hangovers.

My appetite is going strong.

I am now 100% a positive guy and very happy with the life I now live.

My health is great and I am finally a very happy man!

My dream of living by the Ocean has become a reality, something that never happened as hard as I tried when I was drinking.  Nothing ever worked out for me as hard as I tried.

I guess the old saying is right.... You can't be helped unless you are willing to help yourself first!

Go Cold Turkey Or Go To Alcohol Rehab.

Go cold turkey or go to alcohol Rehab. is what I want address in this post because of a few comments from readers on my previous post regarding going cold turkey is deadly.  Well, yes we all know that cold turkey is dangerous and could be deadly, but why did I choose going cold turkey when I decided to stop drinking alcohol?

The first thing was I was so afraid to even go to the Doctors for a check up because I was so worried of what he may find regarding my health due to over drinking for so many years.

I took a HUGE chance going cold turkey when I decided to quit drinking and I would not recommend anyone to do like I did.  It is very dangerous, and could indeed be deadly.

Go to a Rehabilitation Treatment Center to get the proper care and guidance for this life changing thing. I say life changing because it was sure a life changing experience for me.  To drink alcohol every single day of the week for many years and to not have one drop of alcohol is sure a experience.

If you do have a addiction to alcohol and want to stop drinking, PLEASE check yourself into a Rehab. Center to get the Professional help you need to get better.  They will be right there for you and keeping you safe from anything that could happen during detox from your addiction to alcohol or drugs.

I was so foolish to go cold turkey, but I was a shamed, and afraid to be placed behind closed doors to get help, so I did it myself, and thank God nothing happened bad to me during this time.

Get out of denial.  Make up your mind you want to stop drinking alcohol forever.  Ask for Help. Check into a Rehab. Treatment Center and start living the life of Sobriety!

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!!

Living In Recovery

Living in recovery is something we the alcoholics need to get used to.  After so many years of drinking and abusing alcohol, getting and staying sober is so different to all of us.

Our bodies are so used to drinking alcohol everyday and when we stop drinking and want to change our lives we tend to be a bit bored with our new life.

Why are we bored?  The simple reason is that when we live our life for alcohol and need to have alcohol everyday we just cannot get used to the fact that our alcohol demons are no longer with us, so we need to find something in our life to occupy ourselves and get our minds off of the poison that was going to kill us sooner or later.

When I stopped drinking alcohol I was a nervous wreck trying to figure out what I would do for the entire day without having a drink in my hand.  It was the most unpleasant feeling in the world.  It felt like one of my arms or legs were missing.  That is how much I depended on alcohol each and everyday.

I am very sure many of you that have stopped drinking feel the same way as I did and do.  I am used to being without alcohol now because it has been almost four years without a drop to drink.

We need to learn how to stay busy and occupied each and everyday.  Living in recovery is a wonderful thing I must say.  When we drink alcohol and abuse it to the point that we depend on it everyday we tend to forget what it feels like to be sober and live a life of sobriety.

We also need to stay positive and have a positive attitude at all times.

HERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT KEEP ME SOBER DURING MY RECOVERY:

• I think to myself how hard I worked to get to the point of where I am now in my recovery.
• I think how many times I hurt my family and friends while I abused alcohol.
• I think how much money I wasted on alcohol, when I should of been using that money for my family needs.
• I think of all those horrible mornings feeling like crap from over drinking the night before.
• I write articles each day here on my blog and also on HubPages in hopes to help others that are suffering with an addiction to get and stay sober.
• I think of all the wasted days I had because of drinking my life away.
• I think of all the things I missed out on because I put alcohol before all else.
• Loss of quality time with my family and friends.

Those are a few things to think about when you are in recovery.  You don't want to pick up that first drink when you ever get the urge for alcohol.  This will happen to you as it has happened to me a few times.  Having that temptation to drink when something may not go the way you have wanted it to go.

Living in recovery is a wonderful thing, but you will have those days you just wished you could have a drink and make things get better, but as we all know, drinking alcohol will not fix one thing in your life.  I learned that the hard way and it took many years to finally figure that out.

Enjoy your recovery and be proud of what you have accomplished in your life by beating your demons.

Stay strong and keep that positive attitude at all times.  Never let anyone or anything stand in your way of your recovery.  You need to be proud of yourself and love and respect yourself more than ever.

You will indeed have bad days in the future, as we all do, but never let those bad days make you reach for that first drink of alcohol.

Alcohol Addiction And How It Will Effect Your Life And Others

So many people have this huge problem with alcohol addiction.  We all need to really sit down and think of our alcohol addiction and how it will effect your life and others in the future and right as of today.

We get so involved in our addiction to alcohol and we tend to forget about our life and what our addiction is doing to others that care and love us so.

The more we drink and abuse alcohol the more we are getting addicted. I know from my experience of drinking alcohol, that as each week passed by I needed more and more to get to that point of being satisfied with the buzz I was out to achieve.

We tend to get blinded by our own addiction.  We think more of alcohol than our own life and others that are being effected by what we are doing.

Do you think you are just a social drinker or do you think deep down inside you may have an alcohol addiction?

HERE ARE SOME TELL TALE SIGNS THAT YOU MAY HAVE A DRINKING PROBLEM.

• Do you try to hide your alcohol and pretend you don't drink as much as others think?
• Are you ashamed or feel guilty by your drinking habits?
• Does your family or friends worry or say things regarding your drinking?
• Do you need to have alcohol in order to get through each day?
• Do you drink alcohol in order to relax?
• Do you disagree with what others say to you regarding your alcohol intake?
• You never know when to stop drinking.
• You think of alcohol, and when you can have your first drink of the day as soon as you wake up.
• You drink alcohol alone.
• You are embarrassed of your addiction.
• And you live in denial, thinking there is nothing wrong whatsoever by what you do.
• You use alcohol to try and solve problems.
• You relationships are falling apart, but you do nothing to stop drinking. 
• You refuse to attend a function that alcohol would not be served.
• Continue to have trouble with the law (DUI) etc.
• You make any excuse to drink alcohol.

So there are a few things I can think about, and what effected my life regarding my own addiction to alcohol.

If you think you may have a problem with your drinking, then really consider making a life change and seek living life clean and sober. Believe me, lots of your drinking buddies will say something to you about your decision to quit drinking alcohol, but never let that stands in your way of sobriety.

Let them continue to kill themselves as your life begins to improve and you get healthy and happier as each day passes. You will never regret living a life of sobriety.  As I said many times before, "all of us here on Earth have but one life to live," so why would we shorten that one life with an avoidable addiction to alcohol?

One thing I have learned that helped me get sober and stay sober is having a positive attitude. It has changed my life in more ways than one. You need to continue to tell yourself that you Can and Will get and stay sober. No negative thoughts whatsoever, and that means anything you do in life, not just getting sober.

Making Peace With Yourself After An Addiction To Alcohol

Making peace with yourself after an addiction to alcohol was harder than I thought.

When I stopped drinking alcohol in October of 2009, I never thought that my earlier addiction to alcohol would haunt me for many years to come.

It was a very hard decision to stop drinking alcohol, because my entire life revolved around alcohol for so many years. Alcohol ran my life and included in that, were the people that loved and cared for me.

I never realized how I hurt them with all those years of my drinking, but now being sober, I now know that you and I could destroy the lives of your own flesh and blood and we would never even realize it.  That is so sad to me now thinking back at those horrible days of my addiction to alcohol.

None of us ever think about others in our life that we are hurting, while we are so much in denial, and don't even think for a moment that we have an alcohol problem.

You know, you or I can not turn back the hands of time and make things better of what we messed up over the years of alcohol abuse, but we can fix our life now and make things better for ourselves and the ones that loved and cared for us while we abused our lives.

If you happen to have an addiction to alcohol or drugs, just stop and think for a moment and look around you and see with your own eyes what you are doing to others.  They don't deserve to go through the hell you are putting them through by your habit of drinking your life away.

They don't deserve being pulled down to rock bottom along with you. This is what bothers me the most.  I put many people, such as my parents, my spouse Linda (of 32 years) and my children through hell.  They saw their husband and father drink every night of the week, and they got to the point when they were older, that they were embarrassed of my life style and they way I acted and talked when getting that buzz and drunk on.

Abusing alcohol, and being so selfish can, and will destroy families sooner or later if you and I don't do something to change it.  We, the alcoholics are the only ones that can make things right in our life and make the lives of those that love us right.

Please don't get me wrong, I have nothing against drinking alcohol at all.  I loved alcohol just as much or ever more than the next person, but I was one of those guys that never knew when enough was enough.  More, more I would say to myself until I got that drunk on that I was so used to having.  In the meantime, it took more and more alcohol to get to that point that I was satisfied.

So getting back to my earlier statement, I never knew how my alcohol addiction would haunt me for years to come, meaning, yes I got sober, but I did ruin many things along the way to my sobriety and I felt, and still feel ashamed and upset of my past lifestyle.  But, I have made it right now, and with that said, I am proud of myself and happy my family stood by my side through all the hell I put them through.

It is my turn to help others now understand that if you have an addiction of any kind, never give up hope. You can change your life.  All you have to do is to DO IT!

I still, to this day, feel bad for what I caused my family and friends to have to go through while I was having a great time drinking my life away.  I remember the arguments and fights (verbal - never physical) over my abuse of alcohol and what I was doing to myself.

So many times I was told to stop drinking, or least slow down. I just let those words go in one ear and out the other.  You know what I am talking about, I am sure of it. None of us alcoholics what to hear the true because, WE CAN'T handle the truth. And why is that?  Because we all live in DENIAL, that is why.  We don't think for a minute that we have a drinking problem, and the people that tell us we do, don't know what they are talking about.  Does any of this sound familiar to you?

Once you own up and admit you are an alcoholic, and want to stop drinking alcohol, is when you will start to feel peace in your life.  You will not have your demons running your life anymore.  You will feel FREE and at peace with yourself, and at that time you will begin to have peace in your family life as well. Those that you hurt along the way while you were drinking and abusing alcohol will feel that peace in their life too, and will be so happy and proud that you took action and changed your life as I did.

It is the time to make things right in your life, and the people that are in your life.  They too will feel that sense of peace as well when they see that person that they love and care for being clean and sober and getting their life back on track.  In that case, everyone involved will be getting their lives back on track.

It is then you will feel the peace in your life, that you let your demons go and are now living a sober life.

You will start to see how your appearance will improve and will start to feel so much better, physically and mentally.  You beat your demons, and now it is time to take care of yourself and others in your life.  Before, all we thought about is to feed our demons and give them the alcohol they needed to thrive in our bodies.  Bye bye demons, you will no longer run and try to ruin my life for not one more second.

This is what you have to think about and tell yourself in order to make that huge change in your life.  Sobriety will not just come to you.  It will take hard work to get sober and then stay sober forever, but once you make that life change and stick to it, you will be so proud of yourself that you won the battle between you and your inner demons.

Don't get me wrong, it will be a battle for the rest of your life to stay sober.  Your demons will be hanging out in your body just waiting for you to mess up and start drinking alcohol again.  They will never go away.  It is up to you to keep them where they belong, and where they belong is NOT IN YOUR LIFE anymore.

So, if you want that peace in your life and continue to have that peace, DON"T ever give in to the demons of alcohol no matter what happens in your life from now on.  There will be urges, craving for the rest of your life, but never give in, NEVER!  

No ones life is a bed of roses.  There will always be something that will come up that will upset you, or you may have a sickness in the family, or financial problems, but whatever pops up in your life, never give in and turn back to drinking alcohol, because it will NOT solve anything! 

Stand strong and keep that positive attitude at all times in your life and you will see how being strong and positive will help you stay sober.

The past is the past and now it is time to make things right for you and yours.  Get sober, and stay that way, and you will see what a great life awaits you and yours. 

Admitting Your An Alcoholic Is The First Step

There are millions of people all over the world that drink alcohol, but how many of them will admit they have a drinking problem?

Admitting your an alcoholic is the first step towards a new life and a life of sobriety.  That's of course if you really want to get sober and live that life of sobriety.  I know so many people that really think they have no problem whatsoever with their alcohol consumption.  In fact, I was one of those people back almost four years ago.

Denial is a huge thing when it comes to drinking alcohol, drugs or any kind of addiction for that matter.  We never think we have a problem, but many people that know you and see you and your actions know better.  They can talk to you until they are blue in the face and you will look at them like they have two heads.  I know I did when someone approached me and told me I drink too much and I might have a problem.

If we, including myself, just would look at our lives and see which way our life is going, and if you have your eyes wide open and be open mined you will see exactly where you are headed in the future if you continue to drink and abuse alcohol.

If you ignore what you see, and what you have been told by others, then the future will not be a surprise as you look back at those statements, because you were told, and you saw your life through your own eyes, but blew everything off because you were living in denial and never believed a word.

I know for a fact, for me, I knew deep down inside that I have a serious drinking problem, but never wanted to change my life for I was so afraid to be without my alcohol.  I was afraid to admit to my family and friends I was a true alcoholic. Although I was a functioning alcoholic, this was one of the reason I thought there was no problem with my drinking.

After all, I never missed work because of those late nights of drinking and never got into fights at bars.  I never got a DUI and never arrested for drinking in public or drinking and driving.  So I thought to myself, "what seems to be the problem with my drinking?" See, that is how I thought, and I am very sure many alcoholics can relate to these words I speak.

When I speak of the first step admitting your an alcoholic means to get out of your denial you live in and take a good hard look at your life and the lives your are taken down on the way to your rock bottom.  Remember you are not only hurting yourself, you are hurting many people that love you and care for you, such as your spouse, children, parents and your friends.

Don't let yourself down or the people that love you.  Stand up to your addiction to alcohol and tell your demons goodbye once and for all.  You don't need alcohol believe me.  Once you have got sober and stay sober you will then realize why in the world was I killing myself when all I had to do is to stop drinking.

Yeah I know, it sounds pretty easy by just writing this, but anyone can stop drinking alcohol anytime you want.  The problem is, and the question is, "Do You Really Want To Stop Drinking?"

If you said yes I would love to stop drinking alcohol, then you are on your way to a new life of sobriety.  Yes it will be hard and yes it will not be easy by any means, but if you have that determination, the willingness and the desire to change your life it will happen.

You have to make up your mind and just do it and stick to it with no cheating whatsoever.  You will need to stay clear from your drinking buddies, the bars and anything that has anything to do with alcohol.

As time goes by you will find it easier and easier to live each day without your crutch, the demons of alcohol.

God Bless to all those that have made it to sobriety and those that are trying so hard to get sober.  Never give up hope because your life is full of hope and sobriety is just sitting there for your taken, so go after it and don't look back at your horrible past of addiction.

Stay positive and strong to yourself and never let anyone or anything stand in your way of changing your life and living that one and only life you have, clean and sober.

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.

Sobriety Is Like Living In Paradise

For any person that has an addiction to alcohol, and has been abusing alcohol for a long time hasn't had the experience of living life sober for some years.  Yes, I was one of those people.

Having sobriety is like living in paradise I must say.  When someone has had an addiction to alcohol for years they tend to forget what it feels like to be clean and sober.  They are so used to having that buzz or being drunk each day they think that this is the only thing in life.

In my opinion there is nothing greater than sobriety.  To be able to think clearly each day, and to be able to wake up in the morning with a clear head and not have that horrible hangover we all know so well.  

When we depend on alcohol in our everyday life we tend to forget what life is really all about.  We don't see the beauty that life has to offer us because we are blinded by our addiction to alcohol.  We tend to breathe, sleep and live for alcohol.

I remember so well that the minute I woke in the morning even after feeling like crap from drinking the night before, the first thing that came to mind was, "when can i have my first drink of the day?"  That is so sad that I thought about how I could ruin my life even more than it already is.

To be able to think and want to self-destruct myself one day at a time.  Now that I have been sober since October 27, 2009 I can not believe those thoughts of drinking came to mind each morning I woke.

I know that many people that have this addiction to alcohol think the same way as I did back then.  Now, I write to help those that have an addiction to alcohol, and to let them know there is hope for all of us if and only if you want to get and stay sober and live that life of sobriety.

I have to tell you that you must try out sobriety for it is like living in paradise.  All you have to do is to want sobriety bad enough and work hard on staying clean and sober and you will too live in paradise as I do now.

Granted getting and staying sober will not be easy, but nothing good that comes out of life is easy right.  You need to work hard and not let anything or anyone stand in your way to living a sober life.

The longer you are sober the easier it will be for you as long as you don't cheat and say to yourself, "well I guess I can have one or two drinks because I have not drank in one month."  That is a huge NO NO!  Once you decide to get sober you must promise yourself that no matter what happens in your life you will not break and have that one or two drinks, because if you do you will be back to square one and day one of trying to get sober again.

Think of what you are doing to yourself and others that love and care for you.  Look into the your mind and see what is making you depend on alcohol each day of your life.  Read this hub I wrote called "looking into the mind of an alcoholic."  You will see how we think, or least how I thought about my addiction to alcohol.

Keep a positive attitude in everything in life, and that includes having sobriety back into your life and you will see, having that positive attitude, the will and determination and the power to say NO I don't drink, sobriety will be a part of your life once again.

                                                                                                                             
Read my Ebook on  My Life Of Alcohol Addiction

How Can You Stop The Urge To Drink Alcohol

If you are addicted to alcohol and want to stop drinking alcohol and get clean and sober, you may want to know, "how can you stop the urge to drink alcohol," if you are trying to get sober.
If you are someone that has tried to stop drinking and you have made some headway, but on certain days in you life you get that urge to drink again.  You know for a fact that if you pickup a alcoholic drink you will be doomed and will be back in the rut of drinking alcohol everyday.

How can you stop that urge to drink alcohol you may ask?  Here is my opinion, and what I thought about when I got the urge to drink alcohol after three plus years of sobriety.

If you have found sobriety in your life after so many years of drinking and abusing alcohol, then a huge congrats to you for a job well done.

getting and staying sober is not a easy thing to do, especially with all the things going on in this world. So many people have problems in their lives, such as loss of employment, financial problems, marriage problems and so many other things that may trigger the sober person to go back to drinking alcohol.  The temptation is all around us everywhere we go in this world.

Bars are on almost every corner and even many restaurants serve the poison alone with a great meal.  You would go to a party, picnic, gathering of any sorts and there will be your friend, called alcohol ready to be served. Here comes that urge to drink, but how can you turn off that urge that will ruin your life once again?

**As I am writing this post, February 3, 2013 the Super Bowl is airing at this moment and people all over the world are parting and drinking their night away, as I am sitting here writing to help others get and stay sober. Let the game begin and the drinking of much alcohol begin as well.  Many people will be drinking and getting drunk as their team wins the Super Bowl, and then the other 50% of people will drinking in disgust and disappointment that their team lost the Super Bowl. (Any excuse to drink right?)

Don't get me wrong, I am not an anti-drinking person, I am just a person that didn't know when enough was enough when it came to drinking alcohol.  So, in that case, I must not drink at all, and that solved my problem of never enough booze.  If you want to get sober and stay sober, (just don't drink) it's that simple!

I got sober on October 27, 2009 and here is what I think about when I get that urge to drink, and alcohol is all around me at the function that I am at.

First, I think of all the hard work it took me to ever decide to stop drinking alcohol and get clean and sober.  My wheels turned for a long time until I was certain I needed to quit drinking alcohol once and for all, not only for myself, but everyone that was in my life. 

Secondly, I always think what I put my body through by drinking and abusing alcohol, and what I put my family and friends through that loved and cared for me through all the years of drinking and abusing alcohol.  I knew I never wanted to put my body, family and friends though that ever again. It just isn't fair to take down your family along with yourself just because you are selfish, and you choose alcohol over people that loved and cared for you.

Third, You need to have a Positive Attitude at all times, before and after you stop drinking alcohol.  You need to keep reminding yourself that you are an alcoholic and if you touch that drink you will relapse and be right back where you started when you first decided to get sober. Trust me, it is not worth that drink or buzz you re urging to have.  Everything you have worked so hard for, (and that would be your sobriety and freedom of the alcohol demons) would be all in vein.

Forth, Think of how much happier and healthier you will feel, and we must not forget those horrible hangovers from over drinking right?  Unless hangovers don't bother you, but I find that getting sick and feeling like crap each morning you wake up is certainly NOT worth any buzz or drunk.

Fifth, Think of what you will look like again if you choose to start drinking alcohol again.  did you like the way you looked when you drank alcohol?  Over weight, tired looking, run down and just no energy whatsoever. 

Stop the urge to drink alcohol by thinking of some of the things above that help me each day to stay sober one more day in my life.  Another way that helps me to stay sober is by writing on HubPages and my other blog called Crushing Alcohol Addiction.  Check them out and some of those articles my help you if you are serious about stopping drinking and living with long term sobriety.

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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Quit Drinking Cold Turkey

The question I asked myself when I thought it was time to stop drinking alcohol is, "should I quit drinking cold turkey?"

I wanted to quit drinking and knew it was way past time to do so.  I have wasted many of years of my life, and other lives as well, all due to my addiction to alcohol.  I am sure many alcoholics have thought about stopping drinking alcohol, but were afraid of how they would feel with the abstinence of alcohol in their bodies.  Thinking this way will tend to hold up the process of recovery and getting and staying sober.

As for me, I thought, and knew I was doing wrong and harming my body with each drink I consumed, but no matter how I thought, and what other people would say about my drinking, I just wasn't ready to give up the one thing I loved, and the one thing that was a huge part of my life and other lives as well.

The alcoholics really don't realize what harm they are doing not only to themselves, but those that love them and care about them.

I was lucky enough to be able to quit drinking alcohol cold turkey.  I had it in my mind that no matter what happened in my life I would never go bad to my old ways of drinking alcohol again.  I heard a life changing whisper that night.  I made my mind up once and for all that I had to stop drinking, before it was too late for all involved.

I made a promise to myself that lonely night in the garage drinking alone.  I told myself, " I will not let this addiction to alcohol run and ruin my life, and other lives for one more second of my life."

The promise to myself was that I would never pick up another alcoholic drink for the rest of my life, because I knew by past experiences I would be doomed if I did.  It is all balls out or nothing!

For any alcoholic that wants to quit drinking you must know that there is only one way to do this, and that is never to touch a drop of alcohol ever again, if and when you stop drinking.  If you are okay with this promise, as I was when I made mine to myself then you are on the right road to recovery.

There is no such thing as, I will only have one or two drinks.  This will NEVER work if you have had a addiction to alcohol, and have abused alcohol for some time.  There can be NO cheating whatsoever.  It is all or nothing!

NOTE:
I must add this in: I am not saying quit drinking cold turkey.  I quit cold turkey, but I was taking a chance and was afraid of what could happen when I stopped drinking.  I worried for days and weeks of the DT's and just getting sick from stopping that fast.  If you are concerned about what may happen to you if you do quit drinking cold turkey you should look into a Rehab. Center that has trained professionals to help you detox in a safe manner.

So if you are serious about getting and staying sober, the first thing to do is to admit you are an alcoholic.  Second, promise yourself that once you stop drinking alcohol you will never touch it again. You need to believe in yourself and love yourself enough to make this sobriety work for you.  You need to continue to have a positive attitude each and everyday from that point on and never let anyone or anything stand in your way of your recovery and long term sobriety.