Don’t be harsh on yourself if you are struggling with sobriety; it is a difficult battle. More challenging for some compared to others? Of course, we should always avoid comparing ourselves to others.
It certainly won’t hurt to seek help, and that help can come from a variety of sources. Choose the sources that best fit you. Start with your Doctor because you may be dealing with depression issues.
There is no doubt that the overconsumption of alcohol leads to depression as well as depression leading to overconsumption of alcohol, or even any alcohol consumption. It’s a little of the chicken and egg question.
Support groups can be helpful for some people. They’re worth exploring even if you later find that they don’t suit you.
The problem with the guilt and shame you may feel because of your alcohol use is that the self-loathing that is inevitable serves no use in trying to stay sober. It can and will add to your alcohol consumption.
I know this from personal experience. I was a heavy drinker for decades, and for much of that time, I experienced much self-loathing. There were days when I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror without feeling disgusted. That certainly compounded my problems with alcohol.
Because I used alcohol as an escape from my problems, I often wanted that self-hatred eased a little by having some drinks. And, of course, some drinks always seemed to lead to more drinks.
Momentum can be a huge factor in any success we have in life, and it can also be a factor in our failures. If you can manage some extended periods of sobriety, momentum can be a huge advantage in maintaining your sobriety. You want to stay focused on the person you most want to become.
So, the real message here is to forgive yourself. Know that it is a tough battle, and focus on winning the war, even though you may lose some battles along the way.
I found that the easiest way to forgive myself was to be ready and willing to forgive others for any transgressions against me. If we can’t forgive others, it’s hard to forgive ourselves, and we need to forgive ourselves when we don’t win every battle.
Don’t give up. Hang in there even if you stumble and relapse. It’s okay. You probably didn’t develop your alcohol addiction overnight, so don’t expect to solve your addiction problem overnight.
Replace self-loathing with self-love because you deserve it. If for the only reason that you recognize your problem and wish to resolve it, you would probably give a loved one a break, so do the same for yourself.
Decide on the kind of person you would like to become, and always keep that vision in your thoughts. Little by little, you can get there as long as you never give up on yourself.