One of the most widespread and menacing evils of the modern world is none other than the devastating disease named Alcoholism. Often dismissed as a lack of self-control, it is only now that many individuals and societies are rising to the urgent need to curb this devastating disease which has destroyed many lives and shattered several homes. And yet, there are still those among us who continue to don the blinkers of oblivion, disregarding alcoholism as just one of those things which happen to "other people". It is this very reasoning that plummets several individuals, who are just like you and me, into the bottomless pit called alcoholism.

One of the most dangerous of all the symptoms of alcoholism is the victim's inability to recognize that there is something amiss with his patterns of drinking. If you find yourself reaching for that fifth drink at the end of the day, or if your consumption of alcohol exceeds 14 drinks a week, then it's time you sat up and took notice. Also, if you often find solace in drowning your sorrows in a bottle of scotch, or drink more than you should simply, because you are used to it, you may want to talk to your doctor about your drinking habit. As the victim, you may not be entirely objective in your assessment of whether your habit is veering towards addiction. And this is why you may concoct innumerable reasons to defend your consumption patterns or simply think that those around you are exaggerated in their judgment of how much you are drinking.

Another prominent way to access whether you are indeed going overboard, is to gauge what the people closest to you are saying. If, for even an instant, you are struck by the possibility that there is some truth to their observations, don't dismiss the thought. Make that call to your doctor and set up your appointment without any further delay. The most important reason for you to give up on that bottle is 'you'. Think of all the physical ailments that alcohol abuse could cause you and those which already afflict you. From liver cirrhosis, to gastrointestinal disorders to even cardiovascular problems, alcohol literally wreaks havoc on your body. Also, if you are resorting to alcohol to alleviate your tensions, you may be surprised to know that alcohol, in itself is a depressant. The momentary high that you feel in followed by rapidly increasing bouts of depression, to the point that it becomes a vicious cycle where you have to drink to rid yourself of the depression that alcohol has brought on to you.

Look for reinforcement in all its forms once you have made the decision to quit. Make a list of all the reasons which prompted you to take the first step. From your physical health to your family ties, every reason is reason enough for you to quit. Tack this list to your refrigerator, your dresser, or any place where you can see it often. This will give you the much-needed motivation when you are feeling particularly low and egg you on stick to your resolve. At times like these, it also helps if you talk to friends and family and let them help you overcome any hurdles that impede your path to recovery. If you do recourse to alcohol to ease you through psychological trauma, seek the advice of a trained counselor to rid you of these problems. Group therapy sessions have also proven to be immensely beneficial as they allow victims to share their experiences and consult with others who have been through similar times.

Set milestones for yourself in your de-addiction program. For every milestone that you accomplish, reward yourself. This could involve a simple dinner with the family, an evening out at the theater, or even gifting yourself something you've always coveted. When you cut down on your intake of alcohol, you'll find that you're also saving all the money that once funded your drinking habit. Use this money to motivate you to stay clean, until it becomes a way of life for you. You can also try alternative techniques like hypnosis, or acupuncture, or just a relaxing massage if your need to break your resolve for 'Just a tiny drink' becomes too overwhelming.

The first month of your de-addiction routine is undoubtedly, the most difficult. However, once you do cross this vital period, do not allow yourself to be tempted away from this program by either situations or people who may lead you astray. This may involve you cutting down on your interactions with certain acquaintances and colleagues, but what you need to remember is that many people may be in the denial phase themselves. Hence, they will not take your detoxification program as seriously as you need to take it, while may lead them to try to coax you into a drink or two. More often than not, chances are, this all the opportunity alcoholism needs to raise its ugly head.

Although the difficulties and obstacles, which crop up when you take that first step towards de-addiction, seem overwhelming at first, don't let them weaken your resolve. As they say, perseverance pays and yours will too keep moving towards your goal relentlessly and you will discover the many beautiful facets of life which your addiction blocks out.