Quitting Alcohol is Difficult BUT it is POSSIBLE
"Quitting alcohol is tough and rough. But it is worth enough." - Aliyah Arsiton
Let’s not talk about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, let’s focus on the starting point where we first set our feet on. Initially, it’s a fact that quitting alcohol is difficult, perhaps a Herculean task. Alcoholism, also known as (a.k.a) alcohol addiction is not just a habit, it becomes a way of life, an everyday routine. And that makes it more difficult to eliminate since it becomes a part of the system. So, I decided to start with a planned course of action to ensure the success of the quitting process.
Focus on the Starting Point First
A moviegoer does not start with the credits when enjoying a film; he is expecting to find the opening salvo when he enters a theater. Likewise, in changing a way of life, or for this matter, in quitting alcohol, I need to focus on the starting point instead of the last few minutes at the finish line. I know that if I don’t fully understand the point of origin, complications are likely to happen.
Self-understanding must be the most effective way to fight alcohol addiction. I believe that I can only be my best ally. I will not succeed if I don’t take the initiative. My family and friends may offer help and support in quitting alcohol, but if I don’t take the important first step, everything will be for naught. If I don’t make the necessary actions to stop drinking, I will be left alone in the dark and I will fall in a pit of desperation and tunnel of hopelessness. Since I consider myself as my best ally, I have to fully be aware of WHO I AM, and accept that self knowledge will eventually lead to self realization.
My system has been alcohol free for the past three months, and now, I try to recall how my problem started. Unfortunately, my memories don’t serve me right, the incidents that I can’t remember outnumber the times of recall. I cannot simply pinpoint how I started having a drinking problem. Did I drink for merry making or did I do it in times of depression? Was it a habit that I developed in the lowest point of my life or during the peak of my success? Was it my fallback when I felt hatred or was it simply treated as harmless activity? Or perhaps, I craved for alcohol for no apparent reason at all. Just for kicks, so to speak.
So many questions are left unanswered. Furthermore, new questions arise and the dilemma continues on and on now that I decided to quit drinking alcohol. This confirms the fact that I have to resolve the main question:
What’s the root cause of my drinking problem?
I used to think that I know myself very well. I can tell you what my name is, my exact home address, my age, and even during the times when I was not sober, I could still tell anyone important details about me. I know the color of my hair, I am aware that I have a mole on my right cheek near my upper lip. But all these descriptions are superficial, all these details are pretentious, and they don’t really answer the main question. Who am I? Self knowledge is more than just familiarizing with the color of your eyes or hair, it is more than telling to someone factual data about your name, address and favorites. Self knowledge encompasses your innermost feelings, your innermost thoughts and the origin of the emotions that hound your whole being in certain points of your life.
When it comes to my favorite celebrities or personalities, I simply follow them on Twitter or read their latest status in Facebook. I know what’s happening in their lives. Isn’t it ironic that I don’t do the same thing when it comes to my own life?
At this point, I am in the process of knowing myself. It is my strong belief that fully understanding my deeper feelings and thoughts can help me quit alcohol. Finding answers to most of my questions associated with my own personality can help me in cutting the roots of this addiction. I have faith that finding the truth and understanding myself will pave the way for the solution to my drinking problem that has enslaved me for a long period of time.
Slowly but Surely
Now that I am in the process of quitting alcohol, slowly but surely, I’m getting the idea that I’m starting to resolve the questions that haunt me. I’m starting to recognize the little but intricate details about the root of my alcohol addiction. I see the triggering areas and how I react to situations beyond my control. And as I begin to understand the roots, I start to strengthen my ability to control my reactions to situations.
Seek for the Roots
Before, I made decisions just for the sake of fitting into the standard flow of life. I chose the path not because it was the right one but simply because it was the path that made me happy. I did things without thinking of consequences. If I only knew myself well during those times, my life might not have turned upside down. I was lost then, and I kept myself hidden in a shell where alcohol ruled. My dependence in alcohol led to problems and these problems led to other problems until everything went overboard.
I begin to see things in a different perspective. I am now able to set my priorities and I realize what truly makes me happy. I know what I want to do with my life, and I understand where I want to go. For the first time in my life, I see the direction clearly.
Time should not be wasted for things that are unimportant. Life is too short to be wasted. Having fun once in a while is harmless, but it will be more fun if you engage in clean fun. I found out that spending time with my family can be the most enjoyable time in my life.
Now that I’m starting to rebuild my life by starting anew, I try to pick up the pieces which I left off for my own good, for my family and for the future. I will continue to know myself better and as I welcome the dawn of my new life, I see myself facing life’s challenges and dealing with problems with a strong faith and a happy disposition...
Now that I am quitting drinking alcohol, for the better.