Most experts recommend you initially seek out the assistance of a professional, for two reasons.
First, to ensure you don’t have a medical condition that needs special care. Second, because
you may require detoxification with supportive meds. Even if you don’t, it’s a good idea to let
someone assess your health and physical status prior to quitting. Maybe you’re fine, but better
to be safe than sorry, right?
This same professional can help you decide on the best path to recovery. Perhaps you’d do best
as an outpatient, attending a program one or more times a week. Maybe you’d benefit from a
brief or extended stay in a facility. Some alcoholics have problems with depression or anxiety
that require a slightly different treatment approach. The answer depends on factors such as:
- Your physical health — do you have medical problems that might impact recovery?
- Your emotional health (for instance, whether you may need meds for depression)
- The extent and severity of your drinking
- Your past history of attempts to quit
- Your motivation for change and the risk you might relapse, and
- The degree of support for recovery in your current environment
IT’s not the sort of decision most of us can make on our own – we’re just too close to the
problem. Better to seek outside advice from somebody who knows what they’re talking about.
Ultimately, recovery begins with the decision not to drink. We’re just looking for the best and
safest way to accomplish that worthy goal.
