Approximately 14 million Americans struggle with alcohol abuse problems. Being an alcoholic will not only wreck your relationships, it can also irreparably damage your body. If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, now is the time to seek out help from substance abuse professionals.
As most substance abuse professionals will tell you, self-discovery is a crucial component of treating an addiction to alcohol. Getting the root of why you feel the need to numb your feelings will be difficult, but necessary if you want to put your drinking problems behind you.
The following are some of the things you need to consider during your self-discovery journey.
Finding Ways to Deal with Depression
Before you can start tackling the causes of your drinking problem, you need to get into a treatment center. Attempting to kick alcoholism on your own will usually lead to relapses and other problems. This is why taking advantage of professional alcohol addiction treatment services is so crucial.
Once you get over the initial hurdle of removing alcohol from your daily routine, your substance abuse counselor will ask you to reflect on your depression. More often than not, alcoholics are victims of abuse and have depression as a result of this abuse.
While dealing with the root cause of your depression can be painful and traumatic, it is necessary if you truly want to get better. If you are unable to control depression on your own, your counselor may suggest pharmaceuticals that can help with this problem. Being open to these suggestions is vital when trying to feel better about yourself and your life.
Yoga and Meditation Can Be Helpful
If you are attempting to find peace within yourself, you need to consider using the power of meditation. Not only can meditation help you refocus your mind, it is also a great way to alleviate stress and anxiety. Focusing on your breathing and nothing else can be extremely calming.
Yoga is also a great tool to use on your journey to self-discovery. This discipline hinges on helping people get in touch with their minds and bodies. Finding ways to fill the hours of the day will be hard once you stop drinking. This is why filling your time with healthy and relaxing activities like meditation and yoga is crucial to your long-term recovery.
Accept That Being Alone Isn’t a Bad Thing
The fear of being alone drives many recovering alcoholics back into bars. Rather than sacrificing your recovery for the company of strangers, you need to accept that being alone isn’t a bad thing.
Doing things like going to the movies or a restaurant alone can be extremely liberating for recovering addicts. Once you see that you can be alone with your thoughts, you will start to enjoy time by yourself more.
Start Your Journey to Self Discovery
Getting sober will require you to accept your demons and find ways to deal with them. The process of self-discovery is an ongoing one.
For instance, did you know that you have a better chance of fighting off alcohol cravings when you eat certain foods? Learn some examples of foods that can curb cravings for alcohol here.
Are you looking for more information about getting off of drugs and alcohol? If so, check out our blogs on this subject.
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
