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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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
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.
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….
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.
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!
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/
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.
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….