By Elizabeth Rosselle
Entering into a new year means another new beginning and, for many of us, another set of resolutions…
The new year is a great time to reflect on what’s working in our lives and what isn’t. And, while yes, it’s true that it’s just another day, it still provides an ideal excuse to make a fresh start and a meaningful change.
If you’re visiting this page and reading this post right now, there’s probably a reason. Perhaps you or someone you love is an active alcohol drinker or drug user (or both). If so, think about this:
Have your relationships been strained, or have friends and family members been pulling away from you because of your drinking and drug use? Have you (or a loved one) tried to give up over and over again with no success?
While you may have a long list of resolutions, why not prioritize the ones that will make the biggest impact on your life, as well as the lives of the people you care about? If getting sober has been on your “to-do” list for a while now, perhaps it’s time to move it to the top. And, if you’ve tried to get sober on your own without any success, it might be time to try something different.
Let’s be honest, anyone who’s a true-blue addict or alcoholic probably won’t have much long-term recovery success while attempting their sobriety mission solo. Being surrounded by support and supervision is an important step if you’re trying to rid yourself of a dependency. Nevertheless, finding support can seem daunting. Most addicts never seek help because they don’t know where to turn. It can also be difficult for addicts to admit that they have a problem for fear of what others might think.
If you can relate to any of this, you’re not alone. An estimated 35 million people worldwide suffer from drug use disorders, and in 2016, the World Health Organization estimated that there were 380 million people with alcoholism worldwide. That’s a lot of people, so you’re in good company if you think you have a problem, but suffering in a bubble won’t get you sober.
Here are some telltale signs that you or your loved one might have a drug or alcohol problem:
- Your life revolves around getting drunk or high
- You frequently blackout when you drink
- You’ve lost jobs, relationships, or even marriages due to your heavy drinking or drug use
- You continue to use in spite of negative consequences
- People you care about are worried about you because of how much you drink or use
- You have frequent mood swings, trouble sleeping, and/or are prone to bouts of depression
- You feel like you need to drink or use to feel normal or happy
- You experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop
- You try to hide your drug or alcohol use, or you downplay it
- You’re physically and mentally dependent on drugs or alcohol
This list is hardly exhaustive, but if you identify with even a couple of these points, it might be time to start doing things differently. And, guess what? There’s no shame in getting help. If giving up was easy, then addiction wouldn’t be a thing.
This year, why not make a resolution that counts and seek help? Being vulnerable is scary, but it’s actually one of the bravest things you can do. While the road to recovery can be tough, having a helping hand makes all the difference. And, anyone who’s been in recovery for a while is likely to tell you that, contrary to popular belief, recovery rocks.
About Kembali Recovery Center
Making a new year’s resolution to get sober is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Kembali Recovery Center is a licensed drug and alcohol recovery center that offers a world-class 28-day inpatient treatment program on the beautiful island of Bali, Indonesia. Learn more about Kembali and its treatment program on our About page. Contact us today to speak with one of our staff members and get all of your questions answered.