I have prepared this material for those who want to stop drinking on their own or help a loved one. I speak in simple, non-medical language so that you know what to do and where to go.
Millions suffer from alcoholism. This is much more than people who suffer from other diseases. Alcoholism not only destroys families, but also destroys a person's personality. Alcohol addiction is one of the most difficult disorders, and it can also be very dangerous. It is therefore important that we work to prevent and treat alcohol abuse disorders.
We believe it is possible to stop drinking! And above all, we are ready to help you do it yourself or with the help of specialists. Read the article to the end and don't get distracted by thinking about some of the topics below.
So! What is alcoholism?
Alcoholism is "a disease of the mind, body and spirit". Because this state includes physical and mental desires. And also compulsion to consume mood-changing alcohol. And recovery from alcohol addiction includes physical, psychological, and emotional healing.
According to the great Soviet encyclopedia, when we speak as a term it sounds like this: Alcoholism is a chronic mental illness. That is, it follows from this definition that alcoholism is a disease on a psychological level. Physical addiction comes much later, when a person becomes a being who only needs one thing to fill with alcohol. It doesn't matter whether it's a surrogate, a tincture, or something else.
The psychological level of the illness can be overcome by oneself. Methods to stop drinking will be analyzed further. But with physical addiction, you need to see a doctor - a narcologist and already medically treating yourself for alcohol addiction.
How can you understand that there is a problem and it needs to be solved?
In the following, I'll analyze some situations that you may be familiar with or that are close to you. If you have at least one of the signs below, you still have an alcohol addiction and may not be an avid alcoholic yet, but there is a problem.
When:
- You were invited to a party and immediately realized that the event was going to be "dry". And you refused to leave because you have no idea how to have fun and relax without alcohol;
- More and more people start to retire with alcohol, no matter how strong it is. But you prefer to drink beer alone than in company;
- only by drinking can you cope with feelings of fear and anxiety;
- The urge to drink is very hard to cope with, the circumstances that go to work tomorrow will not deter you. Either you have an important exam or you need to pass some kind of analysis;
- judge those who do not drink at all, there is definitely something wrong with that person;
- get so drunk that it is very difficult in the morning to remember what you did;
Next, let's look at what you can do about it and how you can overcome alcohol addiction.
Stop drinking and change your life for the better!
Onset of addiction and stages of alcoholism
Gradually, an alcoholic person begins to abuse him and it becomes very difficult not to drink for several days in a row. They're waiting for Friday so you can spend the whole weekend just drinking. After that, the habit of drinking passes into the days of the week and doesn't keep it for work tomorrow. If you used to look for whatever reason, bought new socks for the cat's birthday, Bastille Day, then the drink will be for no reason just because I want it. And the question "what to drink" disappears by itself.
Reasons for drinking
They are very different. You drink because:
- Difficulties in life arose: a loved one suffered or died;
- financial problems are not resolved: you have been fired from work and it is impossible to find a new one; "Strangle" loans or mortgages, etc. ;
- There is no rest at home: the wife is sawing, there is no rest from the mother-in-law, the neighbor is sharpening a tooth. . ;
- forced by someone;
- does not want to be different from everyone else;
- for some this is a sign of adulthood;
- someone just relaxes like that;
- takes away his shyness.
It's worth noting that alcohol addiction starts differently in everyone. Someone can start at age 15-16. Others start at age 25-30.
In addition, alcohol consumption becomes a habit, and without it a person simply cannot relax. In alcohol we begin to drown our problems because a drunk doesn't care what happens around him. And prettySobriety becomes a disease. . . Because it is bad for a sober person to accept the world and properly perceive the situation. Alcohol becomes a "medicine" that only cures our illusions.
Stages of alcoholism
There are several stages of alcoholism:
- The first phase of alcoholism: It's hard to hold back from drinking, a friend came with a bottle, how can you refuse? And it doesn't matter that there are very important things tomorrow. The first stage can be healed well without outside help. Desiring and working on yourself are important;
- The second phase of alcoholism: when a person drinks a lot but doesn't get drunk. And without alcohol, it is simply impossible for a person to exist. This is the beginning of physical addiction;
- The third stage of alcoholism: different from the second. When you've had a drink and can barely stand on your feet. And this condition is permanent. They urgently need medical treatment.
The most important, you need to understand that alcohol addiction doesn't happen overnight. It is an ongoing, complex process that takes place in an area of the brain known as the "reward center". In the same place that regulates and promotes the natural needs that are vital for our existence. Because of this, the addicted brain consumes alcohol and other drugs as if these substances were necessary for our survival. And therefore, people with active addictions place the pursuit of alcohol or other drugs above almost any other priority.
Scientists have also identified many social, psychological, genetic, and other factors that make some people more prone to developing alcoholism than others. In all cases, it is important to understand that no one chooses to develop alcoholism. Two people can start drinking alcohol, one person becoming addicted to alcohol and the other developing no symptoms.
Also, remember that people who become addicted can never consume alcohol or other addictive substances without endangering their health. Your brain chemistry has changed in such a way that it can be rebalanced through rehabilitation, but that balance will always remain susceptible to reuse.
Ways and Methods to Stop Drinking
Effective Ways to Combat Alcohol. Don't put it off until tomorrow. Get started now.
Then, follow all of the methods outlined below and you can stop drinking once and for all!
First way to stop drinking: "Scare yourself"
Although they say there is no point reading articles about the dangers of alcohol, it doesn't help, but after all, nobody reads them carefully. If you feel that you want to drink more and more often, don't be lazy and read our article again. Better keep it to yourself. And also read about how harmful alcohol is. Take 15 minutes each day to read small articles. So let's say you intimidate yourself and always keep the dangers of alcohol in mind. Think of your liver, your youth, your beauty. And also about how difficult it is to fight alcoholism. Especially when you do it yourself.
The second way to stop drinking: "Become the actor in your film"
Another very interesting way to think about giving up alcohol is to film yourself drunk. Just set up a camera or ask someone. Often times, not all of their drunken adventures will be able to follow through even through the middle of filming. And the feeling of shame is the distinguishing feature of a human being from an animal. You will also understand how hard it is for your loved ones.
The third way to stop drinking: "Find an ecological substitute"
Finding a way to relax and replace alcohol with something else is very important. Sport, dancing, singing, find your talent. Make sure you stop drinking is important to you. In the evening we wanted to have a drink, but we jogged in the fresh air. Or went to the gym.
The main thing is that this is an environmentally friendly solution, under no circumstances should you replace alcohol with tablets, for example. Everyone has willpower, you just need to find it within yourself and not replace alcohol with some other substance that clouds the mind, but with something that will inspire you.
Fourth way to stop drinking: "Clean up your friends list and update your social circle. "
If there are people around you who drink and push you all the time, stop communicating with such friends. Understand that these are not friends, and remember the words from the song "A friend won't tell you, drink to the bottom. " The alcoholic social circle is a black hole that it is very difficult to get along withgetting out of every bottle you drink alone. And with every bottle you drink, you take a step towards being alone.
In addition, there are many opportunities today to renew your social environment: parks, gyms, hobby clubs. . .
The Fifth Way to Stop Drinking: "Become Your Own Personal Accountant"
Keep a journal of your alcohol expenses. And write down how much you did not spend on this useless meal today.
Go to the store and use this money to buy a gift, such as high-quality clothes, a new phone. Reward yourself for quitting drinking! Better yet, save. See how much you have in a month and what to buy instead of alcohol.
The sixth way to stop beating: "The memory won't keep you drunk"
Over time, you will learn to control yourself, and a symbolic glass of champagne for the New Year does not require a liter of vodka. You already know your limit: after how many sips will you always want to drink more or which glass is no longer worthwhile.
Remember how you called "gin from the toilet" the next morning after you finished it and how it felt like your head was bursting in pain and this would be the ideal option for you. By the way, if you are hungover after heavy drinking, this is a very loud bell that is already calling you an alcoholic.
The seventh way to quit alcohol for good: "A friend of alcohol is a cigarette"
We decided to stop drinking, then quit smoking. If this habit is on your harmful list. Finally a cigarette calls for a drink, after a glass of another a puff appears "delicious". But that is an illusion. And so much has been said about the dangers of smoking that it is not worth mentioning here.
Eighth way: "Analysis of your actions"
In no way do you blame yourself for loving this green snake. And enjoy talking about not drinking. Sometimes you just have to analyze everything that happened to you in life. If you drank, if you were hungover, if you had the urge to drink.
You can even cut a piece of paper in half and write in one column what good alcohol made me and what problems it caused in the other. I bet the column of good points is unlikely to fill up. But to analyze the effects of alcohol on your life, the data is enough.
Close and love make us fully-fledged people!
The ninth way: "Relatives are nearby"
It is very important to admit to yourself that you are an addict. There is no need to shout at every corner and introduce yourself, "Hello, my name is Vasya and I am an alcoholic" No! Just admit it to yourself. Then, if you wish, you can initiate loved ones, wives, parents, children, those you often live or communicate with, so that they know your intentions to stop drinking.
And locals definitely won't tell you that you are a fool or you are crazy. They are close and close to help and most importantly to understand. The support of loved ones is fundamental at the beginning of the journey to get rid of the drinking habit. Don't be afraid to say it is more dangerous to back off and not stop.
The Tenth Way To Fight Alcoholism: "Provocation Is Failure"
There is an unshakable rule that there is no need to provoke yourself if a person has chosen not to drink. For example, don't go to a store that has liquor, or at least avoid the departments with inviting bottles.
First, try until you get into the habit of not drinking or attending events that involve alcohol. Skip a friend's birthday or a nephew's christening. You can skip this important event and then you will catch up on your sober attention for it.
The road to liberation requires sacrifices, but they are insignificant compared to the sacrifices one can make if one continues to drink.
Eleventh way: "Have dinner yourself. . . "
A very important aspect in the fight against alcoholism is to be full. Yes / Yes. After all, most of the time you want to drink on an empty stomach. So try to have a hearty dinner in the evening when you get home from work and the thought of drinking definitely fades into the background.
Path:"Stress is a reason to drink"
Try to avoid stressful situations, this is certainly difficult in our time, but possible. You can now find many methods on the Internet to get rid of depressive situations, for example meditation. Not everyone gets them, but it's worth a try. Think of a truth for yourself: alcohol doesn't solve problems, alcohol adds new problems!
When a person refuses alcohol, it is like losing something. Emptiness and discomfort arise. In these moments it is necessary to do something for yourself, so to speak, in order to fill the void. For example, instead of going on an evening date with a bottle and a glass, go to the cinema for an evening show. Buy a ticket to a rock concert and scream heartily there. By the way, the way of screaming is effective, you came home angry, there is no strength to drink because life is completely "shit", shut yourself up in the bathroom or room and scream loudly, you may even interfere with your voicebut do it. And life will no longer seem so unfair. And it is very possible that while you are screaming, you will find the right solution to a problem.
If you want, you can consult a psychologist or a narcologist. The help of a specialist is often very important in these moments of throwing. A good doctor can even find the source of your addiction, pinpoint exactly where it started, and that is an important fact on the road to getting rid of alcohol.
There is now a lot of literature on "How to Quit Drinking, " "The Road to Sobriety, " or "The Easy Way to Quit Drinking. " Read them. Maybe they won't have the expected effect, but they willcertainly do no harm, and it is better to read these guides in the evening than to fill your problems with dubious fluids.
Path:"Look at yourself like in a mirror"
Try to put yourself in the shoes of the people who suffer from your antics when you are drunk. For example, imagine your wife or husband in your place. Your significant other gets drunk and misbehaves. If it's at a party, at least you should be ashamed of your couple. Or what if he or she made a scandal at home, drunk? Disturb sleep? Are you satisfied with it?
Now imagine that your children see you in this state. As a child, would you like to see your mom or dad in the form of a Neanderthal man? Hardly anyone will answer yes. Now imagine that you are sitting at your workplace and your colleague at the next table smells of smoke, or worse: "fresh". Or you have come to the doctor and he is sitting with a headache after yesterday's feast and does not know how it issupposed to heal you. Or is a drunken teacher teaching your child a lesson?
Imagine how you, the people who consume alcohol, can make you uncomfortable with the consequences of it.
Folk ways to fight alcohol: to use or is it better to be afraid of them?
But in no case do not resort to methods that can harm your health. To stop drinking, many go to grandmothers to "whisper" and "talk" about the habit of drinking. It is good if grandmother only whispers to you and if she gives you herbs or tinctures. . . And you can go from an alcoholic to a poisoned patient. If you really feel that you cannot cope on your own, seek help from a narcologist who will prescribe the correct treatment and will not harm your health.
Be sure to analyze your life when you drank and this week when you weren't drinking. Or this year without alcohol. Believe me, the time without alcohol is much more colorful, interesting and happier than with alcohol. At least try to put this theory into practice. If you do not like to live without alcoholic products, you can always go back to hangovers, blackouts, failures, debts. . Unfortunately alcohol is for sale here.
The main question is: is it realistic to stop drinking?
Millions of people around the world are proof that recovery is stronger than alcohol addiction. And they're proof that treatments work, families get better, and life gets better.
As with other chronic diseases, addiction to alcohol or other drugs can be successfully treated. This enables you to live a full and fulfilling life.
If you have difficulty coping on your own, contact a drug treatment center. Most people who take part in treatment programs not only stop using alcohol or other drugs, but they also improve their professional, social, and psychological wellbeing.