Quitting drugs and quitting alcohol is not a walk in the park.

I can quit on my own. How many times has this been said by addicts and alcoholics all over the world? Yes there are some people who are able to just stop drinking or using drugs without the help of others, let’s call them genies. Take advice from those who have been through it before and have overcome it.

Picture this, you’re homeless so one day you decide to build a house. Smart idea right? The problem is all you have is a hand saw, a bucket of nails, a hammer and some wood. No blue prints, no experience and no help. Even worse you refuse to ask anyone for help, you have to do it by yourself. Quitting drugs and alcohol is not easy.

Everyday people would walk by and see you struggling to get the frame put up, they walk up to you and offer to help. They tell you that they have a great group of friends who have all the tools you need, that they will come over and help you build this house. They have all built houses before and even have plans for building a house. Yet you still refuse, you can do this on your own.

This sounds pretty stupid, but the sad fact is that many addicts and alcoholics do this very thing every day. The disease of addiction and the disease of alcoholism is not something that should be approached alone and without the correct tools.

If you are one of the lucky ones to have survived addiction or alcoholism, congratulations! Now it’s time to help other people who are where you once were.

If you are currently in the middle of a crippling addiction or are struggling with alcoholism don’t be afraid to ask for help. We were all there at one point; it’s not something to be ashamed of. The only shame should come is if you refuse help from others that is freely given to you.

The world has learned and created a lot of amazing support groups for alcoholics and addicts. Some of the most well-known are:

• Alcoholics Anonymous and other Anonymous Groups - is a non-profit international fellowship founded in 1935 in Akron, Ohio. AA states that its primary purpose is “to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety”. With other early members the founders developed AA’s Twelve Step program of spiritual and character development. AA meetings are held worldwide.
• SMART Recovery – is an international non-profit organization which provides assistance to individuals seeking abstinence from addictive behaviors. The approach used is secular and scientifically-based using non-confrontational motivational, behavioral and cognitive methods. Meeting participants learn recovery methods derived from evidence-based addiction treatments.
• Celebrate Recovery - also referred to as CR, is a Christ-based approach to recovery that was a response to twelve-step programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. It was founded in 1990 by two in Saddleback Church, and is aimed at all “hurts, habits, and hang-ups”, including but not limited to drug and alcohol addictions, sex addiction, eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and people who have been sexually abused. The founders felt that Alcoholics Anonymous was too vague in referring to God as a “higher power,” and wanted a more specifically Christ-based program. Celebrate Recovery utilizes eight Recovery Principles that are based on the Sermon on the Mount.

Whatever program you use, whatever tools you use don’t do it alone. Quitting drugs and quitting drinking is not an easy task. Don’t try and build a house on your own, get the help you deserve.