One of the hardest things to do as a heavy drinker, alcoholic or addict is to admit to yourself that you have a problem. Most drinkers will initially go into denial and refute any allegation that not only do they drink too much but worse than that, they are actually dependent on alcohol to get through their day.

Often the only way an alcoholic will admit to someone else and to themselves that they have an alcohol addiction is when they are shocked into it. The shock may the threat of divorce, it might be the loss of their job or home. Sometimes and tragically it can be that they have harmed someone else whilst under the influence of large amounts of alcohol.

Clearly loved ones do not want to threaten the person they know needs help. They want to be there to support them in quitting drinking and remaining dry. This support is impossible and unlikely to succeed unless the alcoholic or the person who tends to abuse the use of alcohol admits that they do have a problem which is out of their own control.

To start back on the road to healthy living the alcoholic needs to admit to themselves what they are doing.

I think it is important for you to know, as someone who has a drink problem, anyone an have an unhealthy dependence on anything including alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex and people.

Secondly some of the most successful, famous and awe-inspiring people have battled their own demons and dependencies and addictions.

You are not alone and you won't be the first to be where you are right now. You also won't be the first to decide it is time to take control of your life.

Self esteem, how you feel about yourself, can often be low when you accept that you are addicted to something you know is harming you

Your self esteem can get a real boost when you decide to stop playing victim to past experiences or influences and to the current unhealthy habit.

Help is available. You just need to be ready to take that first step.

Often but not always, alcohol problems, whether that is alcohol addiction, abuse or binge drinking can go hand-in-hand with depression. However it is much more likely to be connected with alcoholism.

A bit like the "chicken and the egg" question, it may be difficult to know which came first and cause the other, alcohol or depression.

Some people who have depression drink alcohol to escape the feelings of depression and sense of guilt or lack of motivation. Some people turned a heavy drinking habit into a dependency. Alcohol is a depressive even though initially you might feel good, it seems that prolonged use comes with a price.

In the end it can help to know which started which for then you will know the cause. One thing is certain, continuing to abuse alcohol and use it as a crutch to deal with life, undermines your self-esteem. Deep down inside of you, you know it isn't going to resole anything.

If you suffer with depression and know you have an alcohol problem, you should seek medical assistance for support with both these issues.