How to Motivate Yourself to Quit Drinking
“How can I motivate myself to quit drinking?”
Sometimes we feel trapped. Caught up in a cycle of drinking, we feel that the only way that we can have fun and feel normal is to keep on drinking. At the same time, our lives might be spinning out of control, and we find ourselves getting into all sorts of different trouble. Our friends and loved ones want to see us get help and be healthy, but we feel that we can’t possibly live a normal life without alcohol. We feel trapped.
If you have ever felt or thought this way, then you have reached a significant point in your life. This is an opportunity. It’s decision time. You have a chance to turn your life around and make a difference. And it is fear that holds you back. The fear of facing a life without alcohol. The idea of going the rest of your life without taking a drink. It seems absurd. And it’s scary as hell.
Finding the Motivation to Quit Drinking
But to continue on with drinking is becoming unthinkable as well. Things are getting worse as you continue to drink–not better–otherwise, why would you be reading this? If alcohol is a problem for you, then the problem is always growing. Alcohol abuse only gets worse. The only way it gets better is if you make a decision to get help.
If you think that you might have a drinking problem, chances are good that you do. Most “normal” people don’t sit around and wonder if they might be an alcoholic. So if you are questioning yourself about your drinking–even a little bit–then it might be worth taking a closer look at. At the very least you stand to learn something about yourself. So here are some steps to take once you’ve made the decision to make this change in your life.
1. Fully commit to it – If your drinking is not a problem, then don’t quit. If it is a problem, then face it for what it is–a serious addiction–and treat it as such. Recognize that overcoming any serious addiction requires overwhelming force. If you make a half-hearted decision to quit, or even if you are holding back just a tiny little bit, you are bound to fail. Only a full commitment to recovery can overcome a serious addiction.
2. Realize the consequences – For all deaths related to alcoholism, the average years of potential life that are lost is 31 years per person. This is a jarring statistic that should be an eye opener for anyone who thinks they might have a drinking problem. In addition to this steep mortality rate, there are countless others who continue to live but suffer from alcohol related illnesses, and many who are sitting in prison for crimes committed while intoxicated. So much wasted life…
3. Realize that life will be fun again once you are sober – I never believed this one myself when they told me that life would fun and exciting again someday without any alcohol involved whatsoever. I didn’t believe them. But it’s absolutely true–you will learn to have fun again without using alcohol. Life is a trip, with or without drugs and alcohol.
4. Imagine the freedom – of living a life without depending on chemicals. Admit it–at this point, you have to drink just to feel normal. It is no longer fun for you like it used to be. Those fun times are gone….time to make a change. Life can be fun again without drinking.
5. Proceed with caution – if you do stop drinking, you might need medical supervision. Alcohol withdrawal can be fatal. Heavy drinkers may need a medically supervised detox.
There is a whole life out there for you that is worth living without drugs and alcohol. If you make the decision to get help, your life will start getting better, and soon life will be worth living again. You will find a new joy in living from the simple things in life, and the idea that drinking is “fun” will seem ridiculous. Admit it–drinking stopped being fun a long time ago. You have nothing to lose by giving recovery a chance. Life does get better.
Make a decision.
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Jeff Says:
Im trying to stop drinking cause its literally taken over my whole life. I now have ulcers and health problems cause of it as well as financial problems. My mind isnt ever clear enough it seems to make good decisions either. So im at my ropes end and i really wanna give it up for a better lifestyle!! Thanks for your article and concern.
Patrick Says:
If you can manage to quit drinking and string together a bit of sober time, your thinking will really clear up a lot, Jeff. Good luck to you on your journey, and congratulations to you on your decision. Let me know how you’re doing….
Tina Bixler Says:
I liked your article my mother and father were both alcaholics and my father just passed away from it as his other ex wife did, I drink 2 beers everynight before bed to relax and sleep I have chronic insomnia, but I still question myself as to if I am an alcaholic but I wonder if thats because my parents were I never drink during the day unless a special occasion or barbecue something like that otherwise I don’t crave it during the day but I can’t go without atleast 1 to 2 at night.
Doug Says:
I HAD 8 years sobriety! Lost it though and am struggling to get back on the path. I know I have a problem with alcohol. Just wondering how to get the sobriety ball rolling again. I need help! I have the desire, but nothing available here as I am stationed overseas. How can I find a sponsor!
Patrick Says:
Hi Doug
Sounds like you are struggling. I always recommend long term treatment, but without that, you might try finding a sponsor over the internet if there is not one available locally.
This guy here is a friend of mine and he is in recovery and he actually specializes in recovery and life coaching over phone and internet:
http://www.hopeserenity.ca/
Phil Says:
I’m an alcoholic. Have been for ever. First drink was at 13. I hate it. I really hate it. I have a wife that I adore and 4 beautiful children. I work away from home for periods upwards of a month and that doesn’t help. It’s easy to get stuck into a bottle at the end of the day. My health is ok but it won’t be for much longer. I drink too much. I wish there was a tablet I could take and not ever drink again. I didn’t choose to be a drunk…..but I am. I just want to stop. Please assist me in changing my path. I have too much to lose.
Patrick Says:
Phil I rarely say this on this website but I really think you should start with AA. Especially with your traveling lifestyle. It just seems like it would be a good fit.
There are other paths to recovery and I personally do not use AA as a central part of my program. But for you it seems like it might work well. Just a suggestion.
Good luck….
Heather Kelley Says:
On friday, my boyfriend and I were drinking and driving, and were pulled over for DUI. The worst thing about it, is that this is his 3rd DUI. He will be facing 2 years in prison.
Living with my alcoholic Mom, she approached me about quitting as a team. I am scared of the thought of quitting for several reasons. Most of my dqaily activities, and weekend fun inculde, or revolve around alcohol and bars. I want to do it for my mom, and myself, I just know how alone I will be seeing that everyone I know drinks. I have tried the AA program in the past, it just isn’t a good fit. I am excited to try this as a new lifestyle, but I need to learn other ways to celebrate holidays and such. Please please help.
JR Says:
36,. Lost my business, lost my home, financial wrecked, behind on child support for two children that think the world of me. Fear of quiting scares me. I hope I have reach my broken rock bottom. Been caught in the system, and cant get out. Been going to AA and really for the first time walking through the doors on my own, and not court ordered is very different. Going to jail to do a terminal sentence, then move to be close to family. I will get sober, get treatment, build a network, and work the steps in efforts to have a manageable life. I will transfrom with gods will, into the man, the father, I should have been. Send me a blessing to an alcoholic in Jackson hole, WY.
Alison Says:
Im a 41 year old runaway. Two weeks ago whilst on a bender I tried to kill myself with pills in front of my 10 year old daughter. My boyfriend called the ambulance who I apparantly became aggressive towards. The paramedics then rang the police who I again became aggressive towards. I headbutted my boyfriend whom I love dearly and was promptly handcuffed and carted away to a psych ward, again, all witnessed by my daughter. I booked myself into Odyssey House for their semi residential 6 week program and was accepted immediately. I lasted less than 36 hours before booking myself out. I returned home and went on another bender. Again the police were called. When I’m sober I am one of the nicest, kindest people I know. I have 3 sisters and unfortunately for us all alcoholism, bipolar disorder, depression & drug addiction all run in our family. So does childhod sexual abuse. I’m desperately lonely and totally confused. I havent had a drink in two & a half days but I am so so scared and lonely. I read this site and know that there is hope but how do I get past the sadness?
Alison Says:
sent wrong email
Patrick Says:
@ Alison – What exactly are you sad about, Alison? Move forward with your life and take things a day at a time. You may be sad at first if you give up alcohol and drugs because there can be an emotional loss component to giving up an addiction. You might also be sad from the hurt that you have caused your family and friends, but that is water under the bridge and it should be obvious to you that this sadness can be overcome in sobriety. You should be able to know this on some level, even while drinking. You said that you know there is hope, so grab a hold of something and take action.
I had to put myself in a position to receive help. For me, that meant long term treatment. For some people, that means jail. You can’t go much further down than that, or you reach the point of no return.
When is enough going to be enough? Make a decision and take real action. I don’t know what else to tell you. I know you are sad but you must believe that you can overcome this sadness and guilt if you can manage to stay sober and turn your life around. You really have no excuse and you already know what the answer is: you have to commit to getting help and then follow through with it.
Dina Ortiz Says:
My name is Dina and I drink at least 3 beers a night for sleep and to relax in front of the t.v. before hitting the bed. I want to stop because of health related issues. Plus I probably will save money. Is there any free help out there?
Patrick Says:
@ Dina – call up local drug rehab centers that are located in your area and ask them what your options are. They will tell you the different funding options that you qualify for, and can send you elsewhere if you do not qualify to attend at their center.
Good luck!
scott Says:
I drank about 5 nights a week for the past 10 years and last christmas I quite for 5 months and my own and then convinced myself that it wasn’t that bad and have been drunk for the last few months until the sunday that just past i drink to the point that i don’t no what’s going on, what i am saying and don’t care who I hurt in the process. Everything I do envolves drinking, playing ball, hockey, reffing and umpiring, going to camp, even working as a miner all people talk about is having beer after work. I don’t want to ever have another drink as long as I live but I am really scared to lose friends and have to change all the things my familly love to do because they don’t have the problem I do…