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Recovering from Alcoholism (Why You Need to Take That First Step)

a street sign that states "sobriety one way" representing that alcoholism recovery and sobriety is a one way road
Leigh Cala-orOctober 31, 2024

I still remember the day I realized I had to make a change. I have been drinking for almost 15 years because alcohol was my scapegoat for everything. I thought alcohol would solve all my problems but one thing happened that led me to quit alcohol. For the longest time, I was in complete denial, scared of what people would say if I admitted. Sure, I drank a little too much at parties and tried all types of alcohol. And, yeah, maybe I had too many hangovers that kept me from showing up for work or seeing my friends. But it wasn’t that bad, right? I wasn’t like those people you hear about hitting “rock bottom.” I thought I had it under control until I didn’t. 


Denial: The Biggest Roadblock

Here’s the thing: admitting you have a problem is terrifying. There’s a kind of comfort in denial, because if you don’t acknowledge it, maybe it’s not real. I kept telling myself that I wasn’t like “other alcoholics.” I could stop anytime I wanted but I couldn't. Deep down, I knew that my relationship with alcohol had shifted from casual to dependent, making it my coping mechanism, but the fear of admitting it was paralyzing.


What would people think of me? Would they judge me? Would I lose my friends? These thoughts kept me from saying anything for way too long. I thought I was a functioning alcoholic—you know, holding down a job, paying the bills, and still hanging out with friends. But trust me, the longer you wait, the more damage alcohol does to you—physically, emotionally, and socially. Just because you’re “functioning” doesn’t mean the problem isn’t real. It creeps into every aspect of your life, slowly but surely.


Taking the First Step: The Hardest, Yet Most Important Decision

The first step—admitting there’s a problem—is the hardest one you’ll ever take. It’s like standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down, and deciding whether to jump or stay where you are. The unknown is scary. But here’s what I learned: the first step opens up so many possibilities. Once I admitted that I needed help, it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. It wasn’t an instant fix, but it was the beginning of something better.


At that moment, I realized that the fear of taking the first step was worse than the reality of doing it. Once you admit you need help, everything else becomes a little more manageable. You’ve acknowledged the problem, and now you can start working on a solution.


How Do You Know When It’s Time?

I used to ask myself, “How do I know if I need to stop?” Well, if you're asking that question, chances are you already know the answer. If alcohol is affecting your health, your relationships, or your ability to enjoy life, it’s time to take a step back and evaluate things.


For me, it wasn’t one big, dramatic moment that made me realize I needed help. It was a series of little things—like missing important events or hurting the people I care about. When I started losing things that mattered to me, I knew something had to change. You might have your wake-up call, or maybe you’ve been feeling down that things aren’t quite right. Either way, trust that feeling. It’s your gut telling you that it’s time.


What Happens After the First Step?

So, you’ve admitted that something needs to change—now what? Well, the journey ahead can be tough, but it’s worth it. For me, I started by talking to my family and close friends. That was hard, but their support made all the difference.


Then came finding a support group. Not everyone likes joining something like online AA meetings, but having a community of people who get it is priceless. Whether it’s AA, therapy, or just leaning on your loved ones, having support is key to making progress.


In the early days, you might feel like you’re on an emotional rollercoaster, experiencing alcohol withdrawals. There are good days and bad days, but that’s normal. The important thing is that you’re moving in the right direction. You’re no longer stuck in the same destructive cycle.


The Benefits Are Life-Changing

I won’t lie—it’s not easy. But once I started seeing the changes in my health, my mood, and my relationships, I knew I made the right choice. My body began to heal, my mind cleared up, and I started rebuilding connections with people I had hurt along the way. I also sought online therapy to rebuild myself and my relationship with my loved ones,


Imagine waking up without the fog of a hangover, without the regret of last night’s choices weighing on you and the embarrassment you’d feel after doing something really stupid while drunk. That’s what recovery can feel like. Most people who have recovered from drinking had a better life and a better performance at work. And trust me, it’s so much better than staying in denial.


Don’t Let the Fear of Relapse Stop You

Now, I want to talk about something important: relapse. It happens. Recovery isn’t a straight line, and slipping up doesn’t mean you’ve failed. The important thing is how you respond when things get tough. A relapse doesn’t erase all the progress you’ve made; it’s just a reminder that recovery is a journey, not a destination.


If you fall, pick yourself up, consider why you started this, and keep going. Each day without alcohol is a win, and every step forward counts, no matter how small. Tracking my sobriety using a sobriety calculator is a great help to track my progress and keep my focus on the goal. It's rewarding to see the number of days without alcohol, and I feel proud of what I have achieved.


You Can Do This

If you’re reading this and you’re on the fence about whether or not you need to take that first step, I get it. It’s scary. But I promise, it’s worth it. You don’t need to wait until everything in your life falls apart. The sooner you admit you need help, the sooner you can start rebuilding your life.

You don’t have to do it alone, and you don’t have to be perfect. Just take that first step. Everything else will follow. Try locating the nearest meeting by looking for “AA meetings near me”, so you can have a support system during your sober journey.


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