One of the greatest hurdles that an alcoholic has to jump is to accept the fact that he or she is an alcoholic. The second hurdle, which follows immediately, is to accept the fact this this means that the remainder of life must be lived without the prop of alcohol. Now I have counselled hundreds of alcoholics and one of the biggest barriers to their successful recovery is denial. They have a mental block when it comes to accepting responsibility for their own actions and try to re-direct the consequences of those actions onto someone else. Some see a life-long commitment to abstinence from alcohol as a punishment and fail to realise there is life after alcohol. A wonderful life, free from the bondage of alcoholism. Some alcoholics wonder how they are ever going to socialise again; what are they going to do when their daughter gets married (15 years down the track?) The philosophy of AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) is that the alcoholic should resolve not to have a drink for the next twenty four hours. They next day they commit themselves not to drink for the next twenty four hours and so on. Days stretch into weeks, weeks into months and months into years. This method is of great help to many, but the aim is the same: life-long abstinence. Non-alcoholic versus alcoholic The chances of anyone landing in hospital for treatment for alcoholism and not being an alcoholic are so remote that they can be dismissed as impossible. People who do not suffer with the disease of alcoholism do not lose control over their intake or become dependent on alcohol. Non-alcoholics do not lie about their drinking or hide their alcohol in sheds, cupboards, hedges and boots of cars. Nor do they get upset when someone suggests that they might have a drinking problem. Social drinkers don’t need a few stiff ones in the morning to get their “heart started”, nor do they drink in toilets or in the car. Social drinkers don’t ring me for help! Proneness to alcoholism leads to some or all of these signs of alcoholism. The main thing, however, is that alcoholic drinking causes significant problems in the family, in marriages, partnerships and at work; it results in legal and financial problems. Any drinker whose drinking has led to such problems and continues to deny that he or she is an alcoholic is crazy and bent not only on self-destruction but on ruining the lives of many others as well. The first step in recovery from alcoholism is to accept the fact that you are an alcoholic, that you are prone to alcoholism and that the disease can be arrested but never cured. If an alcoholic begins to drink again, he or she will almost inevitably return to uncontrolled alcoholic drinking. The evidence from AA and research studies clearly supports this conclusion. The second step is to accept the fact that this means that life-long abstinence is the only solution. The difficulty with the second step lies primarily in the fact that our society is structured around alcohol.  We often head for the club after work to relax with friends and have a few drinks. Daily drinking is part of our culture with more than 40% of people participating in daily drinking and 30% of people drinking more than 2 Standard drinks per day.  A conservative estimate is 20% of our population suffers with alcohol dependency. 41% of young adults have serious binge drinking problems but will moderate their drinking habits when they have the responsibility of partners and children. Recovered alcoholics enjoy life free from the bondage of alcohol. They go to parties, join in celebrations and live full and happy lives without drinking alcohol. One of the reasons AA works is that recovering alcoholics can see others leading healthy, happy, productive, alcohol-free lives. Listening to the stories of other alcoholics’ past lives helps the alcoholic to identify with the emotions and sensitivity they feel, trying to fit into society. Acceptance of the fact that they are alcoholic and acceptance of the fact that this means that they cannot drink alcohol is the first step in recovery. Alcoholic’s Anonymous prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. Supplements are very important in early recovery. Amino Acid supplements like Tyrosine for the manufacture of dopamine and noradrenaline are required for concentration, alertness, memory and a happy, stable mood.  L-Glutamine can reduce both cravings and the anxiety that accompanies alcohol withdrawal.  A good liver tonic like LivaTone Plus can be beneficial in those who have an inflamed liver or a sluggish liver. LivaTonePlus contains all the B vitamins and the amino acid Taurine. It also contains the antioxidant vitamins C and E.  Magnesium Ultra Potent can be taken before bed to assist with a deep and restful sleep. It also helps to reduce stress, very beneficial to a recovering alcoholic.  Magnesium is also known as the “great relaxer”.  Dr. Cabot’s book, Help for Depression and Anxiety is an excellent read for recovering alcoholics.