How long have you been thinking about quitting alcohol is the real question?
In my case it was “years” I knew it wasn’t doing me or my relationships any good.
It wasn’t helping my career, my health or my wealth for that matter.
How many times had I tried and failed.
It goes on and on.
It might be the same for you?
“But my drinking isn’t that bad, you might say, I’m not in the gutter drinking out of a brown paper bag. I haven’t had a DUI conviction, so what’s the problem?
A Great Time Suck
The problem is that among other things booze is the greatest time suck. It kills almost anything requiring effort and action.
It affects people around you more than you realise.
Time is the one thing that cannot be replaced.
Don’t Put it Off
My one wish is that I had done this years ago, joined the secret society (of non-drinkers)
Don’t be like me and leave it until later.
We all know how harmful booze is. It doesn’t need to be regurgitated here.
What we lose sight of is how booze robs us of being “present in the now”
You also don’t realise how that affects everything that you do.
Its no good hiding the fact that by the time you have that 1st glass of wine to unwind,
add the 3rd glass with dinner and you are no longer “with” those around you.
(Today’s glass of wine is more than a standard measure.)
A bottle is gone before you know it.
The weekends are usually worse.
It’s become a bad habit. But how to break it, that’s the problem.
At AFB we have the 7 Steps which are:
1.CONSTERNATION– You become aware you may have a problem with alcohol
2.REALISATION– You are aware you have a problem and that you need a hand to control alcohol
3.INSPIRATION– You find mentors who set an example
4.PREPARATION– You accept you have a problem and get the tools to change
5.TRANSITION– Do the AFB course to get the tools and support you need.
6.TRANSFORMATION– Starting to see the benefits of getting alcohol out of your life.
7.CONVERSION– Become a non-drinker after only 100 days
Admitting (to yourself) you have a problem is vital. If you don’t, you are not ready to quit.
You Need to Spend Time Preparing.
Preparation is as important as quitting itself.
It’s a bit like decorating a room. The preparation determines the quality of the whole task.
Understanding your habit and how to change a habit and getting your why are parts of preparing.
