If you have an alcohol abuse problem and are finally ready to start dealing with it, there are basically three ways in which to go about doing so. You can seek professional assistance, you can join a self-help organization, or you can tough it out alone. There may be variations on these themes, but essentially this is it. Path number one-professional assistance-is for people who basically need lots of structure and support. They need a well organized plan laid out before them every step of the way and professionals of a certain authority whom they respect to keep them motivated and moving forward. Path number two-joining a self-help organization-is for people who need constant reinforcement from others to help meet the challenge, but who either feel more comfortable just being with their peers or else cannot afford professional assistance. There is still some structure and support along this path, however, for these are often twelve step programs that are pretty specific in their time-tested formats. People who follow path number one usually combine it with this one in order to receive all the help they can get. Path number three-toughing it out alone-is for people who are strong believers in themselves and are basically self-reliant. They are the stubborn and hardheaded types who like to figure things out for themselves, who don't like being told what to do by anyone, and who would never even think of stopping to ask for directions! If you are like me and path number three is the only one in which you feel comfortable, then this book is for you. I cannot solve your problem for you-you have to do that yourself-but at least I can forewarn you about many of the major things you are going to have to face up to and overcome if you want to succeed in this challenging journey back to sobriety and control of your life. You can do this, just as I did. And hopefully you can learn from my mistakes and not have to make the same ones yourself.