Put down the drink and it will be a temporary solution to a complicated problem. Anyone can stop drinking, it’s staying “stopped” that 99% of alcohol dependent people find difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. Major depression and other mood disturbances are the most common psychiatric complaint among treatment seeking alcoholic patients affecting upwards of 80% of alcoholics at some point in their drinking careers. Bipolar disorder is the second most common disorder associated with alcohol dependence followed by personality disorders. So you can see that putting down the alcohol is not as easy as it appears. Family and friends tell the alcoholic to stop drinking and wonder why they can’t “stay stopped”. If you are on the verge of going on the wagon (again), there are many resources available to you to help prevent relapse.Here are some tips to help you overcome depression and anxiety that plagues early sobriety. Don’t try to stay sober by yourself. Get professional help and be guided by the experts. Get your feelings out and talk to a professional. The urge to crawl into bed and hibernate is typical during depression and the early days of sobriety. Don’t give into it. Do something, anything, preferably with someone you like. Company beats misery. Avoid being alone as much as possible.  Stop thinking about yourself and do something for someone else. Change where you are and whom you are with. Read material and books on recovery and extend your knowledge. Make a gratitude list. Be thankful for what you have rather than wishing for what you could have had. Make a list of people who like you, who love you. Count the miracles that have happened to you, including your sobriety. Draw up a balance sheet – a personal audit – comparing what you are now with what you were when you were drinking. Make a worry list and include all the things that are bothering you, and then cross off all those that don’t have to be attended to today. You can worry about those tomorrow. Next to the remaining worries, note what steps you can take to deal with them, then start dealing with them! Try a distraction and get away from your problems for a little while. Divert yourself with something you enjoy – a crossword puzzle, a jigsaw puzzle, a DVD, music, walking, hobbies, etc. A good DVD to watch is “My name is Bill W” with James Wood – it’s the true story of AA. Another good DVD to watch is When a Man Loves a Woman with Meg Ryan. My favourite DVD is Shattered Spirits with Martin Sheen. Great movies and they will enhance your commitment to continuing your sobriety. Learning Mindfulness is one of today’s great ways to reduce stress and maintain sobriety along with many other resources like active meditation (mind control can do wonders) and physical exercise. Deep breathing is excellent in controlling anxiety. Be careful what you eat and stay away from sugar. Cutting sugar out of your diet may lift your mood considerably as a lot of alcohol dependent people suffer with hypoglycaemia. Nutrition is extremely important in maintaining sobriety. Just for one day, stop fighting your demons and say, “OK, today I feel like a frog in a bog, so I’m going to go to sleep early. When I wake up tomorrow, I’m going to feel much better.” Don’t however, give in tomorrow. That’s when you pick up the phone and talk to someone. Bad feelings always pass the same as good feelings always pass. If you are facing an anxious moment, say to yourself:  “Is this life threatening?”  It never is.  Then say to yourself: “How important is it?”  If you can honestly say to yourself that it is very important, then do something about it.  You can also say “Is this going to bother me in 6 weeks’ time?”  If you can honestly say you may have trouble remembering it – they forget it. If you feel too depressed to attempt any of the above, get help. Supplements for recovery include Tyrosine Mood Food. If you lack focus and satisfaction, your brain may be low in dopamine. Tyrosine can boost dopamine levels. Dopamine deficiency can cause depression, mental fatigue and over eating, which could lead to drinking. Livatone Plus to support your liver function and metabolism and helps to detox your liver of many toxic substances. Magnesium Ultra Potent (the natural relaxant) – to help maintain healthy blood pressure and assists in the reduction of stress, nervous tension, anxiety and sleeplessness. L-Glutamine Powder may be helpful for inflammation of the intestinal tract and supports efficient brain function. It is an integral part of glutathione; the body’s most potent antioxidant and detoxifier. My bestseller, Help for Depression and Anxiety is another good book for your library. If you have trouble sleeping, try reading Tired of Not Sleeping.   The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.