It is not easy to recognize a problem of alcoholism and it may be very difficult to stop it. Heavy drinkers can hide their drinking. Hiding bottles where they're not likely to be found, filling other  bottles with alcohol, lying to family and friends about drinking are the first symptoms of alcoholism. The lying that appears with alcohol addiction is destructive to the drinker and those around them and it can be costly, not just financially.

  Thinking about quitting, you need to make a list of your reasons to quit. The first step is understanding that you can control your own behavior. It's the only real control you have in your life. Here are the next steps:
• Commit to quitting. If you decide to quit, you need to make plans to be sure you succeed.
• Get help from your doctor. He/she can be your biggest supporter. Alcoholism as a kind of disease that can be treated. Talk with your doctor about your problems.
• Get support. Contact Alcoholics Anonymous or the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. They will give you the support you need to stop using alcohol. Ask your family and friends for support too.

  Recovering alcoholics say that it was hard without drinking. They felt depression. It's can be really hard work sticking to the decision, which is why many of the self-help groups and support organisations have meetings in which their members meet and encourage each other to stick with it.

If you want to avoid drink:
• Change your route so you don't pass an off-license or pub if that's too tempting.
• Avoid places where alcohol will be offered to you.
• Decide not to take money out with you so you can't buy alcohol.

Try to formulate the thesis why you are going to quit. It's easier to deal with a problem when it's shared and if they're true mates, they'll understand and want to help. There are also loads of places that can help if you want to do something about your drinking, or if you're affected my someone else's drinking. As you drink, your body tries to make up for the depressant effects of alcohol. This built-up tolerance to alcohol can lead to severe withdrawal symptoms when people who drink a lot quit.

 The signs that alcohol is a problem are:
 • anxiety;
• being unusually suspicious;
•blackouts/memory loss;
• breakdown of relationships;
• depression;
• getting driving tickets;
• insomnia;
• loss of self-esteem;
• not taking care of yourself;
• poor work performance;
• taking sick days for hangovers;
• trembling hands;
• hallucinations;
• delirium tremens - can be severe and often fatal;
• activation syndrome - characterized by tremulousness, agitation, rapid heart beat and high blood pressure.