The reason for this is due to the nature of addiction. Alcoholism is but a symptom of a larger, deeper problem within an individual, and the primary outlet for this problem is through self destruction.
I not only am a recovering alcoholic but I also have privilege of being able to work with them on a daily basis. I firmly believe that alcohol addiction has it's root causes in low self esteem. Some might disagree with this assessment but I see that as being a workable solution with almost every alcoholic that I have come into contact with. Every single one of them suffers from some variation of poor self esteem. Sometimes this is masked at first or it comes out as overconfidence in the other direction, but this problem is always there.
There is no cure for alcohol addiction but I think there is a solution. The solution is not a program of recovery because I think that term is a bit misleading and can get people off track. What we really need is not just a program of recovery but an integrated approach to recovery.
A comprehensive solution
If you want to overcome alcohol addiction in the long run then there is what I suggest you do:
1) Make a decision - on a really deep level that you are going to change your life. This is known as surrender. Unfortunately there is no way to fake this, nor is there a way to convince yourself to do it if your heart is not really into it. But this step is certainly necessary.
2) Ask for help - If you could quit drinking on your own then you would not need to ask for help, right? But you've failed to quit on your own so you need help. Ask for it. Don't know who to ask? Try a counselor, a priest, a teacher, a trusted friend or relative, a guidance counselor, or call up a rehab center or a help line. If you don't get any answers then keep asking people.
3) Go to treatment - there are a number of benefits to treatment and the first is that it is a protected environment where you won't be tempted to drink. Get some sober time under your belt and start learning the tools of recovery.
4) Follow up care - do what they suggest after you leave treatment. Follow through is important. It is all about action.
5) Live a new life - Ultimately you must create a new life for yourself in recovery. If you just stop drinking then you'll be left with a shell of a life and if you don't find something to be passionate and purposeful about then you will return to the bottle some day.
There is no cure but if you follow these guidelines then you will have a good chance of staying sober over the long run. It is not easy but the payoff is huge.
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