Treatment of any form of alcoholism involves the patient's complete rejection of alcohol. The success of therapy is reduced to zero if the patient has no desire for a person to live in a state of sobriety. On the contrary, awareness of one's own illness is the first step towards remission. Such awareness is the result of very complex work on oneself and requires a lot of time and effort. Therefore, to stop drinking, it is best to consult a doctor.
Reasons to stop drinking alcohol
There are many reasons why a person stops drinking. The most important include:
- the desire to be healthy;
- deterioration in health and development of chronic diseases;
- more attractive appearance in people who do not have alcohol problems;
- a sober, sharp and untainted mind, the desire to adequately perceive the surrounding reality;
- high efficiency;
- good attitude at work and an impeccable reputation;
- Saving money (financial spending on alcohol always accounts for a significant portion of an alcoholic's budget);
- high sexuality, no problems with potency in men or the menstrual cycle in women;
- the presence of strength and time (after all, the life of a person who is in an alcoholic web is guided by one desire - to drink);
- excellent state of mind, cheerfulness;
- healthy atmosphere at home;
- full, bright and healthy life;
- healthy offspring.
The road to a sober life is very long and difficult. However, a person has an opportunity to get rid of addiction by following the advice of doctors. The most important thing for this is a strong will to heal and an iron will.
Can a person stop drinking on their own?
Doctors warn: There are no ex-alcoholics. Alcoholism is an incurable disease. However, the patient always has the opportunity to achieve stable remission and stop drinking alcohol. The duration of sobriety is variable and can range from several months to several decades.
Methods of mentally influencing the patient are effective in stopping alcohol consumption. They allow you to inspire the patient to have a negative attitude towards alcohol, thereby preventing relapse. Subject to a positive result, there arises a strong belief that he can lead a healthy and fulfilling life without drinking a single drop of alcoholic beverages.
Successful treatment for alcoholism depends on a variety of factors. The most important thing is that the person himself decides whether to drink alcohol or not.
Spontaneous improvement
It is rare for a person to stop drinking spontaneously. A certain factor speaks for this: There is an acceptance of one's own illness and then a decision that something in one's life needs to be changed.
The main disadvantage of spontaneous remission is its indeterminate persistence and spontaneity.
motivational remission
In this case, a person consciously refuses to drink alcohol. This happens more often when a person's life is threatened. Deliberately refusing alcohol, a person also raises a number of financial problems, and also solves the problem of maintaining the family.
Gradually, a person comes to the conclusion that a complete rejection of alcohol will allow him to achieve his life goals and consolidate success. In remission, he firmly believes that despite all temptations, his choice is the right one and a priority. In addition, every victory over alcohol and the approval of those around him further strengthens a sober position.
forced remission
A person does not always voluntarily strive for a sober lifestyle. Many people who are addicted to alcohol don't always understand how harmful their bad habit is. However, circumstances take over. For example, when the director is at work, or the spouse, the child presents a person with a choice, he must obey. Otherwise, it will appear throughout the life of an alcoholic.
Forced remission is usually not permanent. In addition, a person is constantly in a tense state, because of such compulsion he experiences difficulties and inconveniences. A breakdown after such a remission usually has very serious consequences.
Somatogenic remission
Usually, when a person finds out about a sharp deterioration in health, he stops drinking alcohol. The most common situation is when a patient has to abstain from alcohol against the background of delirium tremens.
In addition, alcoholics are afraid of the consequences of a serious illness they have experienced (e. g. heart attack or stroke). Against the background of negative emotions, they completely lose their attraction to alcohol. Awareness of alcohol's harm is shaping, albeit belatedly, a new attitude: survival is a higher priority than drinking and short-term intoxication.
psychogenic remission
This variant of alcohol withdrawal is associated with somatogenic remission. When a person finds out what they did while intoxicated, they experience a great shock. Ashamed of his actions, he decides to stop drinking.
There can be many such reasons. Mostly it is:
- traffic accidents due to intoxication;
- an attempt on the lives of their own children;
- Force.
Such remission is unstable and short-lived. Sometimes a strong trigger works in the opposite direction and the person starts drinking even more. In a state of alcoholic oblivion, suicide is not out of the question.
Remission after intoxication
The nature of this remission could not be fully determined. It is typical of people who chronically abuse alcoholic beverages. One day they stop drinking, and they don't argue with that decision.
Doctors suggest that intoxication with ethyl alcohol and its decomposition products eventually reaches a critical level. At this moment, the biochemical processes in the brain are changing, and an aversion to alcoholic beverages appears. It is noteworthy that the taste and smell of alcohol suddenly becomes unpleasant. Even small doses cause nausea and vomiting.
Remission after intoxication is relatively stable. However, relapses are not excluded if a person's state of health improves noticeably against the background of a sober lifestyle.
Tips for people who want to stop drinking
Not every person who has previously abused alcoholic beverages can easily endure a sober state. Some have a painful craving for alcohol, a desire to immediately skip a glass or two. For those who have firmly and confidently embarked on a sober path, such advice can be helpful.
- You should contact a specialized clinic. Here, specialists select an individual treatment plan and, if necessary, prescribe effective drugs. Psychologists and rehabilitation specialists will help you get out of binge eating, cleanse your body, and develop a permanent negative attitude toward ethanol use.
- If you want to quit drinking, that's half the battle. The patient should recognize the presence of the disease. If possible, the problem with alcohol should be discussed with relatives.
- The patient should cut all ties with people with whom he has been drinking and who tolerated his addiction.
- Throw away all alcoholic beverages at home. This will make it much easier to avoid temptation. Responding calmly to people who drink alcohol is already a success.
- You must be prepared for withdrawal symptoms to occur during alcohol refusal. At the same time, various psychophysiological disorders are tormented. The urge to take them off can be very strong. At this point it is important not to succumb to weakness. Dealing with withdrawal symptoms alone is very difficult, so you should trust the experts.
- You should read the literature on various aspects of alcoholism. It is important to avoid sources of dubious origin. Any questions can be discussed with the doctor.
- The daily routine should include different types of physical activity. It is important to eat well and fully, as well as to rest. Learning how to avoid stress or at least not react to it is ideal.
- Some can be helped by moving and communicating with other people.
- An interesting hobby will improve the emotional background. Some help by changing careers, volunteering and outdoor activities.
- At meetings and holidays, you need to look for an alternative to alcoholic beverages, which, unfortunately, have become traditional. Even one cocktail can undo all previous efforts.
There is no one-size-fits-all way to stop drinking. Every alcohol addict should look for the most suitable option. In order to avoid recurrence and get a positive effect, it is important to contact specialists.