Alcohol and Sacrifice

You hear it all the time in the media – give up alcohol and it will do you the world of good.

There are events for this type of abstinence – are you going to have a “Dry January”, do “Oc-sober” or have a mid year reset with “Dry July”?

Maybe you’re at a stage of your life where you’re wondering whether you have a problem with alcohol or not?

On one hand, alcohol is the most socially accepted drug that’s even promoted as being health giving by clever PR companies.

But on the flip side, you’re feeling concerned that you are beginning to feel terrible drinking it, yet find you cannot stop.

Being told that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption can elicit fear.

Fear can be a powerful motivational force in the short term.

If you were told that you’re looking down the barrel of a liver transplant and the shortage of donor organs means you’d likely die as a result of your consumption, you may be willing to sacrifice alcohol and remain sober for a few days, months or years but it may not be enough to keep you permanently sober. 

As long as you believe that doing away with drinking is a sacrifice, there will always be a reason to relapse.

A positive reason for escaping alcoholism is far more enduring as your thinking pattern has changed.

You are no longer thinking in terms of sacrifice. 

Wanting to be happier by quitting drinking is a self sustaining type of motivation – being sober is seen as a positive, rather than something to be endured.

Taking the first steps and participating in an event like “Dry January” can still have benefits.

Research by the University of Sussex on 816 people that took part in Dry January showed that participants gained more energy, lost weight and had better skin texture. 

Three quarters of participants reported sleeping better, 90% saved money and reported a sense of achievement.

Additionally, the participants seemed to drink less in the long term.

Drinking alcohol is linked to increased cancer risk, brain damage and liver failure.

When you’re stuck in the maze of alcoholic addiction though, life becomes all about the quest to find the next drink.

However, addiction can be treated and the rewards of abstinence can be accessed.

Dr Mel Symon

Director, Hader Group QLD

Dr Mel Symon is the Director of Hader Group QLD, leading both Hader Clinic Queensland and Hader Clinic Queensland Private. With more than 30 years of experience in human services and over 20 years as a founder and business leader, Mel has played a central role in establishing and growing Queensland’s leading addiction treatment services.

Mel holds a PhD in Addiction Treatment from the University of Queensland, along with a Master of Mental Health, Master of Professional Management, and a Bachelor of Social Science. Since 2016, she has overseen the development of the 40-bed Hader Clinic Queensland residential rehabilitation program and, in 2021, the creation and opening of the 25-bed Hader Clinic Queensland Private Hospital.

Passionate about lifelong recovery, Mel is dedicated to evidence-based care, meaningful change, and supporting individuals to rebuild their lives through sustainable recovery pathways.

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