Northwest Health | WINTER 2009 By Julia Vouri

The road to sobriety isn't easy. But with determination and help from Group Health, quitting drinking is definitely possible — and well worth the effort. Find out what worked for three of our members.

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Dave enrolled in outpatient chemical dependency treatment in 2005, at the age of 50. He'd been drinking since he was 16 and had little recollection of his two daughters growing up. Now he had an ultimatum from his boss: Get treatment or lose your job. Dave's been sober for four years now.

Janice's 9-year-old daughter begged her not to drink. "I remember telling my kids not to worry because I was an adult and I knew how to handle my drinking," says the 38-year-old. She's been sober since 2005, when she completed inpatient treatment and began counseling with a Group Health therapist.

John, 37, was forced to participate in outpatient treatment for drinking after getting a DUI in 2007. At his annual New Year's Eve party a year ago, he sipped his new drink of choice: sparkling water.

Evaluating Your Alcohol Use

The first step toward recovery is recognizing you have a problem. The second step is talking to your personal physician, or contacting Group Health Behavioral Health Access to discuss your referral options. (You might find it helpful to talk to a counselor about your drinking habits.) Many physicians now use Group Health's new Alcohol Use Questionnaire to evaluate behavior related to drinking.

"We've been incorporating questions about alcohol use into well-care visits and urgent care visits," says Robert Reid, MD, Preventive Care associate medical director. "Research suggests that many people who discuss alcohol use and limits with their doctor will often cut down on their own."

People often don't realize that they're drinking above the recommended limit, which is generally no more than 14 drinks per week for healthy men under age 65, and 7 drinks per week for healthy women and healthy men aged 65 and older. About 20 percent of American adults drink in excess of these limits. As a result, they're at risk for alcohol-related health problems.

Although alcoholism is one of the leading causes of illness and death in the country, people are often too ashamed or reluctant to seek help because they're not aware that it's a disease that can be effectively treated.

"One of the greatest challenges for me was asking for help," says Dave. "I was raised during a time where you just pulled yourself up by your bootstraps and got on with your life."

Getting the Treatment That Works for You

"Few people with drinking problems need inpatient treatment," says Victoria Evans, associate director of Group Health Chemical Dependency Services. "In fact, the majority can successfully recover by participating in an outpatient treatment program. The research clearly shows that patients who are involved in outpatient treatment for an extended period of time do better than those who are not."

In addition to outpatient treatment, many patients benefit from attendance at self-help meetings such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and other community-based support groups.

"I couldn't be successfully sober without AA," says Dave. "It helps me to connect with people who understand, and to hear my own story told by others."

"You don't have to attend a conventional self-help group," says Lorraine Costanza, manager of the Riverfront Medical Center Chemical Dependency Program. "One client didn't want to attend AA, so he joined a group of people who get together to hike and kayak. The goal is to quit hanging around with the same group of friends so you won't fall into your old habits."

Staying the Course

One fallacy about drinking problems is that once you go through treatment, you're cured. In fact, most people can quit drinking. The challenge is not starting again — which is why outpatient treatment is so important. It takes time to learn what takes you off track and what you can do to prevent it.

John credits positive, solution-based counseling with helping him stick with his sobriety. "For instance, if someone offers me wine, I focus on what I want: a clear head now and in the morning, to be proud of myself, and to be strong, empowered, and happy." That helps him avoid temptation.

He's upped his volunteer work since he's been sober, and is now training for next summer's Breast Cancer 3-Day — a 60-mile fundraising walk. "I wouldn't have been able to commit to this before," he says. "It would have interfered with my drinking."

Dave says he can express his emotions more freely now, and his family life has improved. "I'm so grateful that my wife stood by me. A lot of people aren't that fortunate. I can't emphasize enough: If you have a problem, or think you do, take the first step by asking for help."

"I always thought that once I stopped drinking, life would be a rainbow," says Janice. "Well, it's not. But the way I deal with life now is a lot different. I love being a level-headed, active mother to my two children. Recovery isn't easy. I won't lie about that. But maintaining sobriety gets easier and easier."