This is adapted from something written by a SMART Recovery
volunteer, describing the experience he and a group of his online peers shared.
ÒAt one time we all thought the most difficult thing in
the world would be to stop drinking. Since then, I have learned differently: it
is not really all that hard to stop. The only reason there is a discussion is
because an industry has developed that requires you to believe it is hard and
dangerous. All of this flies in the face of reason, does not hold up in
research and is not hold true for most individuals. Yes, there is a segment of
the drinking population that needs help very badly, but they are a minority.
So here is my list of easy and hard things to do, with the
caveat that the hard things may not really be that hard.
Easy things:
1. Stop
drinking on your own.
2. Stop
drinking with the help of your doctor.
3. Stop
drinking at a 3-5 day detox center (usually involves a 12 Step approach).
4. Start
taking care of yourself.
5. Start
exercising.
6. Start
eating better.
7. Start
walking.
8. Start
relaxing, letting things go.
Difficult (but not impossible things) to do:
1. Forgive
yourself for treating yourself the way you did.
2. Ask
forgiveness of others.
3. Repair the
damage done.
4. Think
rationally.
5. Recognize
activating events.
6. Distract
and Disarm the activating events.
7. Imagine a
life without alcohol, drugs.
8. Live that
life
Impossible things to do:
1.
Change the past.
People who drink are not really that much different from
people who donÕt. You can be an ******* sober or drunk. It is also true that
you can be kind and loving in either state.
The difference appears to me to be our beliefs about the
different conditions. Do I need to intoxicated to feel love and affection and
if so, why do I feel that need? Do I need to be intoxicated to express anger,
sorrow, grief, frustration, etc., and if so, why do I feel that need?
I believe it to be learned behavior and behavior that (with some effort) can be replaced by more rational thoughts and emotions and therefore by healthier behavior. Ò