Alcohol abuse is a serious problem afflicting people all over the world. Over 23,000 deaths per year are alcohol-induced in the United States alone.http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/alcohol.htm Alcohol abuse effects the body by causing or making worse diseases such as heart disease, liver disease, and cancer.http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/alcohol-abuse/default.htm If you want to stop drinking and are having trouble doing so, remember, help is available. There are many programs designed specifically for helping people eliminate alcohol from their lives. Below you will find information and tips on how to get sober and help you get started with eliminating alcohol from your life.

The cause of alcoholism is unclear, though it is seen to run in families and may be affected by environment and life situations.http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/alcohol-abuse/default.htm Symptoms of an alcohol problem include being unable to limit the quantity of alcohol, feeling a "need" for a drink, drinking in secret, and having physical symptoms of withdrawal, as well as others.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340/DSECTION=symptoms Someone who exhibits some of the symptoms of alcoholism may have a problem with alcohol.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340

• Before you can truly become sober, you have to want it enough. This means you have to first admit you have a drinking problem, and then decide that you want to do something about it.http://www.alcoholism-support.org/alcoholism-recovery-3.html People admit they are abusing alcohol all the time, but most of them enjoy drinking too much to see the negative impacts their actions have on their lives. Alcohol abuse is a serious problem and until you are willing to commit to effectively dealing with it, you will never be able to start the healing process. However, once you make the decision to quit drinking and commit yourself to living sober, you have taken your first big step.

• Once you have fully committed yourself to getting sober, you may want to seek professional help. You may also want to check out one or more support groups.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340/DSECTION=coping-and-support Available options include the following:

1. Alcohol treatment centers. These facilities usually focus on the detoxification process, helping you to stop drinking safely. They also provide support and education about alcoholism and recovery as you do so. This may include individual or group counseling.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
2. Counseling. This is an important means for recovering alcoholics to keep an open dialogue about any issues and concerns they may have as they are undergoing the early aspects of treatment.
   
3. Support Groups some examples are as follows:
   
   
   1. 12 step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340/DSECTION=coping-and-support
   2. Secular Support Groups such as LifeRing.
      
   3. Religious Support Groups, Alcoholics Victorious for an example.

• Maintaining a support system is essential if you intend to remain sober. This not only means getting your friends and family on board, but also continuing counseling and participating in other support programs as you see fit.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340/DSECTION=coping-and-support http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/alcohol-abuse/alcohol-abuse-and-dependence-home-treatment For those that attend AA meetings, this means developing a relationship with your sponsor and calling them if you find yourself in a spot where the need to take a drink is overwhelming. For other support groups you will want to stay in contact with your friends you develop within that group.

• Maintaining sobriety and preventing relapse is not easy, but there are ways to make it more manageable. It all starts with promoting a healthy lifestyle.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-remedies You should:

1. Exercise regularlyhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-remediesM
2. Eat healthyhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-remedies
3. Meditate / Learn ways to relaxhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340/DSECTION=alternative-medicine
4. Find activities to do that don't involve drinking.http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340/DSECTION=lifestyle-and-home-remedies/ref.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are having a problem with your drinking, please consult your doctor.