Recovering from Alcoholism
BriteLife Recovery recognizes the impact that the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book has on treating alcoholism.
Using this powerful book is a tool to help you overcome your addiction to alcohol.
You can draw on the strength of others who have walked similar paths.
The Man Behind Alcoholics Anonymous
The Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book was the creation of Bill Wilson.
He suffered from alcoholism and had difficulties managing his addiction. He found that through the support from another individual struggling with alcoholism and through a higher power, anyone can overcome their alcoholism.
He defined the 12-step program book.
The most powerful step was the admission that you are powerless over alcohol.
The second is giving in to a higher power.
Third, you must make restitution for the wrongs you committed while drinking.
Lastly, you must be of service to others who are struggling with the same addiction.
What is the 12-Step Program?
There is no shortage of people who have heard of the 12-step program.
It is often the very first thing people think about regarding alcohol treatment.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was the first program created for those who suffer from alcoholism. The 12-step program book is the most recognized and recommended treatment for alcoholism.
The Founding Principles
There are 12 steps that one must go through to find peace from alcoholism.
You start at step one and process each one in numerical order.
There are often times where you may experience setbacks. Others may find themselves stuck at a step for days, months, or even years before they progress to the next step. The key is to stay motivated and keep going.
Below are the original 12 Steps published by Alcoholics Anonymous:
- Step 1– We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives had become unmanageable.
- Step 2– Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- Step 3– Decided to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
- Step 4– Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- Step 5– Admitted to God, to us, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- Step 6– Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- Step 7– Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
- Step 8– Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
- Step 9– Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- Step 10– Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
- Step 11– Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His Will for us and the power to carry that out.
- Step 12– Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Your Mental Health and Alcoholism
There has been a ton of research on the correlation between alcohol use disorders and mental health.
The statistics on co-occurring disorders from alcohol and mental illness are high.
Many people often self-medicate with alcohol to treat undiagnosed conditions like anxiety and depression. However, it only exaggerates your condition.
Alcohol inhibits the brain’s ability to communicate, thus altering the way you feel and act.
There is no excuse for the behavior, only a desire to change and make amends for the wrongs.
That is why we offer 12-step-friendly options for treatment.
When you obtain comprehensive treatment at BriteLife Recovery, your odds of recovery improve considerably.
The Dangers of Drinking
If you struggle with alcoholism, you may experience intense health consequences, like seizures and heart failure, if you suddenly stop drinking. Rapid detection is paramount for favorable outcomes. Because those struggling with alcohol abuse have a neurotransmitter deficiency, their lives can be at risk if they suddenly stop drinking.
BriteLife Recovery can help assess your drinking habits to gauge what level of care you require during treatment.
Withdrawal from alcohol is unpleasant, but do not let this stop you from reaching your goals.
There are many options available to treat alcoholism safely and comfortably.
BriteLife Recovery can help you manage your withdrawal symptoms with supervised medical detox. You can detox with minimal discomfort surrounded by supportive and caring staff. Our centers are also surrounded by beautiful scenery to provide a serene environment.
Alcohol-Related Damage
When there is damage caused by alcoholism, treatment is possible with the proper diagnosis.
Chronic alcoholism causes wet brain due to a thiamine deficiency. Thiamine is a crucial vitamin that helps in the synthesis of neurotransmitters. When you drink for a long time, your body becomes deficient because you do not eat nutritious meals. You may instead replace them with alcohol.
Thiamine is an essential vitamin that does not occur naturally in your body. All tissues in your body require it, especially the brain. Detection is paramount to reversing the damage in the early stages.
BriteLife Recovery helps you come up with meal plans that positively impact your health.
Treatment
In today’s world, there are various ways to break free from alcohol addiction.
For example, treatment can include several prescriptions in conjunction with AA meetings.
Treatment for alcoholism starts with a choice. The first step is, to be honest about your drinking habits. When you admit you are struggling, you can then find ways to help yourself.
Many will relapse in the first few years, but how you respond to these setbacks determines your outcome.
12-Step Programs
When you get involved in a 12-step program, you can draw strength from the other members.
Everyone in these programs has struggled at one time or another with their sobriety.
Actively listening to their stories and participating in discussions will strengthen your resolve and motivation to stay on the sober path.
Knowing you are not alone in addiction is very empowering.
When you commit to a 12-step meeting, you have a sponsor available 24/7 and utilize the 12 step program book. For many in the early stages of recovery, this lifeline makes a considerable difference.
Rehabilitation With the 12-Step Program Book
The most significant part of your treatment is admitting you are powerless over your addiction. For many, this step is difficult.
The road towards sobriety is different for everyone. However, once you commit to the treatment, you will learn and understand how your behaviors contributed to your problems.
Once you start the program, you can begin climbing the ladder.
When you reach short-term goals, you will be inspired to continue.
Do not forget the reasons that lead to AA.
When you find yourself ruminating on past behaviors, forgive yourself.
What Does Addiction Teach You?
Alcohol addiction is different for each person.
Your story in AA will be unique.
The takeaway from AA and the 12-step program is your ability to change your behaviors.
Staying sober after rehab is not easy at first. The longer you stay in recovery, the stronger your resolve is.
Support from AA is always available when you feel weak. You are only human, and your response is what makes the difference.
Overcoming Alcoholism
Although your addiction is incurable, you can sustain recovery.
BriteLife Recovery gives you the tools that will encourage you to maintain your commitment to sobriety.
Even after years of recovery, you may have to enter back into treatment periodically, which is normal.
Frequent relapses characterize addiction. It is how you respond with each slip that counts.
Accepting accountability for your sobriety is necessary to maintain recovery.