by Ed Philips

How to stop drinking depends on one's ability to recognize that a problem exists and then concentrate on several key factors, which over time, will help the alcoholic develop the coping skills needed to make it through recovery and into permanent sobriety. The key factors to be recognized are as follows; honesty, prayer, willingness, sincerity, forgiveness and tolerance.

The ability to incorporate these principles into the daily life of the alcoholic is a difficult but rewarding transition that is called recovery. Recovery serves as a prelude to permanent sobriety. A well and thoroughly worked recovery, ultimately leads to that seldom visited side of alcoholism, known as permanent sobriety.

To achieve total honesty within oneself seriously challenges the alcoholic and will typically bring questions to surface that, when answered honestly, tends to break down the emotional wall of denial built by the cycle of alcohol abuse.

The most powerful weapon an alcoholic has to overcome his or her illness is prayer. Taking what was realized through honesty, the alcoholic needs to share his inner most shortcomings with God as he envisions Him.

Continual ongoing prayer is necessary if the alcoholic is to maintain the willingness and courage which are needed to fully overcome this disease and eliminate any threat of a potential setback. Some degree of spirituality is necessary for a healthy recovery and permanent sobriety as well.

Willingness is an attitude that shall act as a means of identifying and dealing with problems in the middle and late stages of recovery. When the initial fear and desperation have vanished, the alcoholic feels a false sense that all is well.

Willingness backed by accountability will help the alcoholic realize that they have inherited a disease which will shadow them the remainder of their lives. Permanent sobriety is the only way an alcoholic can live a healthy and productive life. The willingness to continue practicing daily spiritual maintenance shall aid the alcoholic well in their life long quest for permanent sobriety.

About the Author:

Tags:

Leave a Reply

You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>