One of the greatest reasons to share your decision to cut back or to stop drinking is to gain the support of those closest to you. A strong support network can go a long way in helping you accomplish your goals, and reduce or eliminate your alcohol consumption, especially at the start of your recovery.
Your main source of support in recovery will most likely be your sponsor. This is someone who is also in recovery, but who has been in recovery for several years. Your sponsor has been in your shoes and knows just how hard it can be, and they’re here to help keep you on track. Maintaining a strong relationship with your sponsor and having someone by your side who is aware of, and supports, your decision will be an ally in situations when you’re being pressured to have a drink and will help you stay firm in your resolve not to drink.
Talking about your decision to limit or stop drinking can help those in your life understand why you’re not drinking, but it can also reaffirm to you why you made the decision in the first place. When someone asks if you’d like a drink, reply that you’re not drinking because you want to live a healthier lifestyle, save money, have more energy, or simply because you don’t want to reinforce your decision to improve your life. If a friend or family member refuses to back off, insisting that you have a drink, it’s a good indication that they’re not going to be an ally for you at this time in your life and you should consider distancing yourself from them until you are further into recovery.
Addiction is not a sign of moral inadequacy, and there isn’t any shame in quitting alcoholism or in asking for help to achieve this. Having the support of those around you is a crucial part of recovery, and seeking professional help with an alcohol addiction is an important part of the process.
At Asana Recovery, we understand how difficult recovering from these addictions through our daily work to help those struggling most from this disease. While some may believe they can make it alone, rehabilitation programs are essential in the fight to break dependency. The road ahead is not a smooth or easy one, but you can traverse it if done so with the support of the right team. Counseling and aftercare processes can assist you by addressing the psychological facets that led you to addition and help you build a structure from which to better cope with life without succumbing to addiction.
