Top 5 Reasons Why People Fail to Get Sober On Their Own

Getting sober may sound like an easy task for some people, but the reality is that it’s not easy for everyone. Sure, for some drinkers, cutting down or stopping entirely may not be that challenging. They decide to cut back or stop and do so without any issues. However, for others, stopping drinking is just plain hard. In fact, for some, it’s almost impossible to do it on their own.

Problem drinking and alcoholism are running rampant in America. What starts out as social drinking oftentimes turns into addictive behaviour for various reasons. Some people drink a lot because they associate drinking with fun. Others drink to numb inner emotional pain. Still, others drink because they are physically addicted and cannot stop no matter how much they want to.

When it comes to getting sober on your own, oftentimes you run into some hurdles. Today, let’s discuss 5 reasons people fail to get sober on their own, and may need some help.

They Haven’t Made A Firm Commitment

To get and stay sober, you’ve got to make a firm commitment to staying away from alcohol entirely. You can’t just skip drinking one weekend and then go all out the next. Sobriety means no drinking no matter what. A firm commitment means not picking up a drink no matter how you’re feeling.

If you’re feeling happy, don’t drink because of your commitment. If you’re depressed, don’t drink because of your commitment. To just casually go into “recovery mode” will most likely lead you to relapse.

They Don’t Have Adequate Support

Some people just cannot stop drinking on their own. Perhaps they’ve tried a hundred times, only to find themselves picking up a drink for some reason. The reality is that they need some sort of help, but for one reason or another, they don’t reach out for it.

They might feel shame and believe that others will think badly of them. Or, they might feel afraid for some reason.

Having some sort of support network, whether it’s friends, family members, counselor, or a support group, can certainly help you get on the road to recovery. It’s alright to feel a bit of apprehension when thinking about reaching out for support. Feel it and reach out anyway, because the extra support may just be the boost you need to get and stay sober.

The Live In A Dysfunctional Environment

The place we call home is important. The type of environment we live in can increase or decrease our happiness levels. Some people who live in a dysfunctional or chaotic environment may not be able to get sober. The chaos can lead to a great deal of stress, and stress can be a trigger for some people to pick up a drink. Or, if there are others drinking or partying in the home, that can also be a trigger that can make staying sober challenging.

They Don’t Know How To Stop Drinking

Some people can’t get sober on their own because they simply don’t know-how. They may come up against alcohol withdrawal symptoms and not know how to deal with them. They may not understand how certain things or people trigger them or how to handle those triggers without drinking. Additionally, they may not know how to stay sober once they stop drinking, leading them to relapse over and over.

They Can’t See They Are Addicted To Alcohol

It’s tough to get sober when you don’t recognize that you’re addicted to alcohol. This is called denial. Your friends and family may tend to think you’re struggling with alcohol addiction, but you fight them on the issue. You’re sure that you could quit drinking if you really wanted to. However, you don’t really want to stop. You don’t see how it may be harming you or hurting others. Or, you may understand that drinking causes some problems for you, but not enough to where you think you have an addiction.

Being able to see and own up to the addiction is a must before getting sober on your own. Many people who are addicted to alcohol aren’t on skid row, jobless, or penniless. There are plenty of “functioning alcoholics” that have become dependent on alcohol but are in denial. They tend to use alcohol as a coping skill for work, life, or problems and don’t believe this is a big deal.

Each Situation May Be Different

These are just a few of the reasons why some people cannot get sober on their own. The situations can vary greatly from person to person. While one person may not be able to get sober because they’re in denial, another may not be able to because of their chaotic home environment.

If you’re struggling with getting sober, know that you’re not alone. Oftentimes someone who is struggling with alcohol addiction tries stopping on their own many times before realizing they need some help.

You may have tried a few times to no avail. You may have been able to stop drinking for days, weeks, or months, but found yourself drinking again. Regardless of how many times you have tried to get sober on your own, know that it is possible to get and stay sober. However, it may require professional help.

Reach Out For Help For Alcohol Addiction

There are successful treatments available to help you recover from alcohol addiction. There are alcohol treatment centers, addiction specialists, and 12 Step support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. It may be scary to reach out for help. It may be humbling.

However, those that you’ll talk to in treatment or support groups will be some of your biggest recovery advocates. They’ll be cheering for you and offer you the kind of support you need to get free and stay free.

If you’re struggling, reach out for help today. Take that first step toward a new life, sober and free.