As you probably know, recovery is a process that can be hard to manage alone. That's why having a treatment plan is so important. You may want to chart your plan with an addiction specialist or psychiatrist, counselor, or your family physician. Involve family members or friends who can support you especially when you need encouragement.

Once you've accepted that you have a problem with alcohol, you can decide to take positive action to regain control of your life. You can make a choice for wellness and commit to being alcohol-free for yourself and for others who care about you.

Once you've admitted that the problem exists and have stopped drinking alcohol altogether, you have started down the road to recovery. In this early stage you might experience physical reactions to the absence of alcohol in your system. Such symptoms are known collectively as withdrawal and typically include anxiety, irritability, nausea, headache, and fever, among others. In some individuals, withdrawal symptoms can become so severe, medical treatment might be necessary.

Having become alcohol-free, you now move into the ongoing stage of maintaining your sobriety. This is the time to reexamine and learn new ways to handle the beliefs, behaviors, emotions, and attitudes that played a role in your drinking. Counseling and support groups are practical and proven approaches that provide support for the behavioral and emotional change you need for long-term success.

Many people find a combination approach is best, such as individual psychotherapy and attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. It's important to see what works for you, so don't be afraid to add or change various types of psychosocial support.

You may also get help in the form of medication, thanks to a better understanding of alcoholism as a disease and how it affects the brain. For many people, the right medicine can provide a biochemical foundation for more alcohol-free days and an improved chance for long-term sobriety.

Medicines indicated for the treatment of alcohol dependence include Campral (acamprosate calcium), Antabuse® (disulfiram), and ReVia® (naltrexone hydrochloride). These prescription medications act in different ways in the body to help prevent relapse. See a doctor to determine if medication therapy is the right choice for you. To start a dialogue, you can use our list of questions to ask your doctor.

It is important to note that whatever your treatment plan might be, you must follow through with it. Make the choice to go to your meetings, see your counselors, attend your doctor's appointments, and take your medicine. Professional caregivers, along with friends and family, can help you in your daily effort to maintain the alcohol-free lifestyle you've chosen to pursue.