When someone has the courage to admit that he or she has a drinking problem and needs help, that person has just started a demanding process. In fact out of 50,000 people who opt to handle this struggle by themselves, only one manages to do so. Alcohol abuse takes control over one person’s body, mind and social life; saying no to alcohol implies several changes one should make and the presence and support of others along the process has proven to be, in most cases, of utmost importance.
The idea of alcoholics meetings comes from the 1930s when alcohol addicts initially gathered and shared their thoughts and fears and tried to help each other stay sober. Since then, the number of organizations which provide such meetings has increased and the help provided has been diversified. Alcohol addicts can attend such meetings daily or weekly or they can opt for a more supervised program as a resident in a rehabilitation center for at least one month. Also, for those who, from various reasons, cannot be present at a meeting, online meetings and chat rooms are available.
Results are not easy to obtain, but nevertheless they are worthy of all admiration. It takes a lot of time to make your body and mind stop craving alcohol. The first three months are crucial and only half of those who came to such meetings will still be present after this period. But for those who stay, there is already solid ground to stay sober.
There are all sorts of programs and approaches to fight alcohol addiction but, if you study them carefully, you will find that a number of principles seem to appear in most of them. Most alcohol addicts come to recognize that they are weak and that they would need the help of a higher power to guide and protect. Usually, during the first meetings, alcoholics do not have enough power to talk, they sit and listen to the others sharing their experiences. It is only after several meetings that they pluck up enough courage to speak up. Also they have the choice to stay anonymous or use a different name.
In time, after a series of meetings one is encouraged to find someone in the group who is more experienced and who can offer guidance and support. Such bonding is benefic to both people involved and it will help people to start trusting again in themselves and in the others. And when you reach some level of self esteem, you are already a winner.