We know deep inside that we are not doing well. We know we are drinking more than we should, we are lying more than ever before, we are avoiding people and isolating so we can be alone to drink. We are spending a lot of energy on thinking about and procuring our next drink. Then we are spending a lot of energy recovery from the last drunk.
There’s an inner voice that we all have inside but we often silence it with fears of what getting help would mean. One client was so concerned about losing his job if he went into inpatient treatment. Well guess what? He got fired.
We’ve got to face our fears and do what it takes to get well.
One huge fear I had was facing the thought that I could never drink again. It was an overwhelming thought. I didn’t want to quit drinking. I wanted to quit over-drinking. I wanted to be a social drinker. I had to face the fact that I will never be a social drinker. I am an alcoholic. Once I realized there are many, many alcoholics in the world who are actually happier in sobriety than they were drinking, I thought I might be able to do it.
One huge fear for many people is inpatient treatment. It’s really not that bad at all. In fact, most people don’t really want to leave when it’s time to be released. You will find that there are many people from all walks of life that face this challenge. You will realize you are not alone. You will feel consoled that you are not crazy or the worst alcoholic ever. You will get insights into the successes that others have had and learn about how our bodies respond uniquely to alcohol and why “normies” (those who can drink normally) don’t respond like we do to alcohol.
I feel like my experience at inpatient treatment was a new beginning. I’ve never relapsed. I love my life in sobriety and hope that if you are circling the drain, that you will get the help you need. It may not be inpatient treatment. You may just need outpatient treatment, or to meet with an Addiction Counselor. Take the necessary step that is right for you and find the freedom you deserve.
