Ask Calm Spirit Counselor

Do you have a question you would like to ask the counselor?
Click here to Ask the Counselor

I need alcohol treatment and can't afford rehab

Q: I need treatment for my alcoholism, and can't afford rehab. And I can't afford to be away from my work for rehab. What can I do?

A: Congratulations on knowing you need to get treatment for your alcoholism. Admitting you are alcoholic is the first step to recovery.

If you sincerely want treatment for your alcoholism, and can't go into a rehab center or a day treatment center, the best option is to go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. Most cities have several AA meetings in various locations and different times during the day and evening. After you have attended a few meetings, you should find a sponsor to help you work the AA recovery 12 step program. Your sponsor should be the same sex as you to be an effective sponsor. If you go to 30 AA meetings in 30 days, you will be well on your way to recovery, which is a life long process.

However, if you go to 30 meetings in 30 days, get a sponsor, and still cannot stop drinking, then you will need to get professional help because there may be psychological or physical problems that you might have to deal with along with your staying sober.

30 AA meetings in 30 days is a lot of meetings, but in AA you learn to take one day at a time, and you can deal with that. So go to one AA meeting today, one AA meeting tomorrow, and you are on your way.

If you say you cannot do that, then you are not ready to stop drinking. And you are making one on many excuses that go along with alcoholism.

But if you sincerly want to stop drinking, go to an AA meeting today, and get started.

I wish you the best. And remember, you need to stay sober only one day at a time.

Please let me know how you are doing.

ASK CALM SPIRIT ARCHIVES:

Jade eggs and ben wa balls for kegel exercise
Take Two Tylenol for Social Pain and Anxiety?
New Year Resolutions Difficult to Keep
Why does my child always ask "why"?
Do we learn from our mistakes?
NOT Grieving a Death
Will Getting a Degree help me get a better job?
What makes online counseling effective
Visiting Sick People
Weight Management for Life
Am I Being Manipulate?
Is my girlfriend a gold digger?
Listening is a Gift of Love
Depression Self Help
Dealing with Misery at the Work Place
Can I Change My Bad Luck?
Benefits of Meditation
Cutting back caffeine
Holding a Grudge
Shopping Madness
Trust: Whose Problem is It?
Is it My Fault My Girlfriend is Depressed?
Problems with My Best Friend
He's a Nice Guy, But (He's NOT a Jerk)
Children and divorce
Thyroid problems
Reiki and pregnancy
Insomnia
Codependency
Pet Loss
Internet Dating
Back to School-Elementary
Battleground: Early Adolescence
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Depression
Jade, Qi and Body Health
Ending a Relationship
Boost Metabolism for Weight Loss
Dealing with Bullies
Helping Children Understand Alzheimer's
Is Your Child Being Abused/Molested
Coping with Invisible Illness
Do I Need Anger Management?
Teen and Trust: Sex
Teens and R Rated Movies
Realistic Resolutions
Worry about War
Alzheimer's and Aromatherapy
Adult ADHD
Grieving a Miscarriage
Negative Self Talk-Your Own Worst Enemy
Can Love Last Forever
How Can I Un-love?
Adult Whining
Anger at Work-Dealing with Difficult People
Sex with your Ex
Agreeing to Disagree
Am I a Control Freak?
Am I a Fatalist?
How Do Others See Me?
My Boyfriend Doesn't Trust Me
The Value of Meditation
Helicopter Parents-Letting go of College Students
How Do I Get Him Back
Why Should I Forgive?