Alcohol addiction is one of the most widespread and devastating diseases that claims many lives, and wrecks even more homes in its wake. What was one viewed as a mere lack of self control, is now recognized as one of the most severe of maladies, which affects millions of lives around the modern world. And yet, most people continue to shrug off spurts of uncontrollable drinking as "Just a passing phase", or worse, "Alcoholism is something that happens to others not me". It is this notion that many organizations and even governments are struggling to change, as it is this very mindset that precedes the downwards spiral into the murky depths of 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.

If you find that your friends and family are indeed talking about your drinking a lot more than they used to, and find that what they are saying is not entirely exaggerated, it's time you decided to do something about your habit. Don't disregard your doubt as just a figment of your overactive imagination but make that call to your physician today. You have to remember that, social obligations aside, it is you who your addiction is most destructive towards. From physical afflictions like liver cirrhosis, gastrointestinal maladies and even cardiovascular symptoms, alcohol ravages almost every part of your body. Also, blocking out your worries with alcohol may not be such a good idea at all. The momentary high which alcohol brings is followed by bouts of severe depression as alcohol itself functions as a depressant. You are trapped in a routine where you have to drink in order to drive away the lows alcohol tortures you with.

Once you make up your mind to do away with your addiction for good, reinforce your decision by making a list of all the reasons which made you take this resolution. Now, put up this list in a place where you are sure to see it often, as a motivator to adhere to your decision. Make sure to jot down any and every reason, from your physical health to your familial bonds they all help to remind you of why it is so important for you to quit. Allow your family and your friends to be your support during this tough phase. Opening up to them and letting them share your ups and downs lets you strengthen your bonds with them while also making the transition from addiction to de-addiction much easier for you. Also, if your addiction is fuelled by deeper rooted psychological problems, rather than alcohol itself, you will find respite in the expert advice of trained counselors. You can also participate in Group Therapy Sessions and activities to interact with others who have overcome the obstacles similar to the ones you are faced with, and gain from their insights.

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 program is bound to be the most difficult. However, once you've eased through that crucial phase, make it a point to redesign your social and personal interactions to avoid any circumstances which may prompt relapses. This could involve avoiding those weekend "Let's get sloshed" sessions with your colleagues from work, or even keeping away from all the people you associated with, during your addiction. Many of these associates may be in the denial phase themselves, and hence not recognize the need for you to take the drastic step to curtail your drinking habits at all. What's more, they may even try, in all innocence, to coerce you to break your program "Just once," assuring you that a single drink will not do you any harm. And before you know it, the one drink multiplies into two and then four and before you know it, you're back right where you began.

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.