May 2010 Be The Year When Alcohol Abuse Ceases To Be An Issue Or Concern For You And Yours!
New Years is always associated with resolutions to live a better life – promises to ourselves that most of us break before Valentines Day.
Why is that? What happens to those good intentions?
The research is pretty clear. Motivation is hard to maintain and old habits are tough to break.
But the research is also clear – people do manage change successfully. It happens all the time. So what’s the difference between those who succeed and those who fall back into old habits and behaviors?
First, you can’t just stop doing something – instead, you need to find alternatives that correct the problems alcohol abuse masked. Lonely? Bored? Depressed? Anxious? It’s better to fix the problems than to find very temporary relief through continued self-medicating that only makes the problems worse.
Second, while we all procrastinate, we can learn to ignore that part of ourselves that says “Wait!” and, instead, listen to the part that says, “Now’s the time.” Many of our clients do this by calling and making a reservation, thereby setting a date instead of doing what we all like to do, postponing until after whatever holiday or event is approaching.
“I can’t stop until after the holidays,” becomes “I can’t stop before the Super Bowl,” becomes “…until after Valentines Day,” and so on until another year has gone by. People call us all the time and ask for information and then say “when I am ready to finally quit, I will come see you.” Reality is, we don’t have to be “ready.” Lets face it, nobody ever really feels ready to quit, but we can change anytime we decide to.
Third, getting the right short term assistance helps. The bad news is that it’s hard to find – especially with all of the usual quackery that passes for “rehab” here in the U.S. (as well as in Canada and Australia).
The good news is, you found us. We’re research and experience based – no labels, no “steps”, no cults, no groups, and no powerless life-long diseases – and just as a good trainer can help you to vastly improve your physical health, we can do the same for your life as we show you how to leave your alcohol abuse behind.
Finally, unlike the 12 Step/AA programs that are designed to promote relapse, we want you to leave alcohol problems behind permanently, just as ex-smokers leave cigarettes behind.
Recovered, not “in recovery”.
Please, becoming an ex-alcohol abuser starts with just a call.
Set The Right Goals!
Frequently we set goals that are two vague, or ones that approach our problems from the wrong direction.
Examples? Goals such as “lose weight,” “stop drinking,” “stop smoking,” and so on focus on eliminating a behavior without addressing whatever need the behavior fills. Such vague approaches are usually doomed to failure.
Instead, think about what short term benefit you are getting from over-eating, drinking, and/or smoking and consider what alternative activities will address the same personal issues in a healthier long term way.
Indeed, most of our clients find that their alcohol abuse is associated with a few problems. Loneliness, boredom, and anxiety top the list, along with imbalances in their personal relationships and a lack of assertiveness.
Sound familiar?
Those are the areas we focus on – not some mysterious “disease” that only responses to the “cult of powerlessness” or the hokus pokus of “The 12 Steps”.
That’s right – we address real problems with real solutions for real people.
Ready to recreate and live your own life? Then give us a call and let’s get started!
2009 In Links – Starting 2010 Right!
Resources For You! the Goal Setting; Cost/Benefit Analysis; and Weekly Planner Models – all free and available again for the 2010.
There is an excellent article in the November 16, L.A. Times Health section entitled You Can Cut Back. Click the link to read the full article which has a lot to say about “alcoholism” research, moderation, harm reduction, and treatment you won’t find outside of our website and the State University of New York’s Alcohol Problems and Solutions site.
Alcohol Abuse, Alcoholism, and 12 Step Programs That Can’t Tell the Difference, don’t care, and will gladly burden you with an inappropriate and damaging label that will haunt you for the rest of your life.
Women and Alcohol – What To Consider In Treatment why women need and deserve services built around your needs, not just another recycled (and failed) men’s program – which is all anyone else has to offer.
Confidentiality, why you want to avoid residential treatment, groups of all kinds, and/or using insurance for treatment or medications.
The Bucket of Crabs or Why AA and Al-Anon are Bad For Your Health.
“He’s Quit Drinking, When Will I get My Husband Back?” the wife’s lament (could have as easily been a husband’s) over a spouse lost to AA.
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You might want to save the dates and join us at the Awakening To Mindfulness conference in La Jolla, CA. March 25-27. It’ll be a great time to talk to us and see if we’re the right people for you to work with.
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And, as usual, whether you need to abstain or cut back, or discover what’s possible for you, we’re here to help.
For information, or just to talk, one of us answers the phone personally from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Pacific Time, Monday – Thursday, unless we are with clients, or from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
If we don’t answer, leave your name and number and one of us will usually be able to get back to you within an hour.
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