I have prepared this material for those who want to stop drinking on their own or help a loved one. I speak simple, non-medical language, so you have an understanding of what to do and where to go.
Millions of people suffer from alcoholism. This is much more than people who suffer from other diseases. Alcoholism destroys not only families, but also a person's personality. Alcohol addiction is one of the most serious disorders and, in addition, can be quite dangerous. Therefore, it is important that we work on the prevention and treatment of alcohol use disorders.
We believe it is possible to stop drinking! And most importantly, we are ready to help you do it yourself or with the help of experts. Read the article to the end and don't bother thinking about some of the topics below.
So! What is alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a "disease of the mind, body and spirit. "Because this condition involves physical and mental desire. And also forcing the use of alcohol that changes mood. And recovery from alcohol addiction involves physical, mental and emotional healing.
If we speak as a term, then, according to the great Soviet encyclopedia, it sounds like this: alcoholism is a chronic mental illness. That is, from this definition it follows that alcoholism is a disease on a psychological level. Physical dependence comes much later, when a person turns into a being who needs only one thing, to fill himself with alcohol. And it doesn't matter if it is a surrogate, a tincture or something else.
It is quite possible to overcome the psychological level of the disease on your own. Methods of how to stop drinking, I will analyze further. But with physical addiction, it is necessary to visit a doctor - a narcologist and already be treated medically for alcohol addiction.
How to understand that there is a problem and that it needs to be solved?
Below I will analyze a few situations that you may be familiar with or close to. If you have at least one of the signs listed below, then you still have an alcohol addiction and you may not be a passionate alcoholic yet, but there is a problem.
if:
- you were invited to a party and you immediately noticed that the event would be "dry". And you refused to go because you have no idea how you can have fun and relax without alcohol;
- you start withdrawing with alcohol more and more often, no matter how strong you are. But it is more pleasant to sip beer alone than in company;
- only by drinking can you cope with feelings of anxiety and anxiety;
- it is very difficult to cope with the desire to drink, the circumstances do not stop you from going to work tomorrow. Either you have an important exam, or you have to go through some kind of analysis;
- condemn those who do not drink at all, there is definitely something wrong with this person;
- get so drunk that it's very hard to remember what you did in the morning.
Then we will look at what you can do about it and how to overcome alcohol addiction.
Stop drinking and change your life for the better!
The onset of addiction and the stages of alcoholism
Gradually, a person addicted to alcohol begins to abuse it and it becomes very difficult not to drink for several days in a row. You are waiting for Friday so you can spend the whole weekend drinking. After that, the habit of drinking turns into working days, and tomorrow he no longer keeps it for work. If you have previously looked for some reasons, a cat's birthday, Bastille Day, bought new socks, then the drink will be for no reason, just because I want to. And the question "what to drink" disappears by itself.
Reasons to drink
They are quite different. They drink because:
- difficulties in life arose: a loved one suffered or died;
- financial issues are not being resolved: they have been fired and it is impossible to find a new one; loans or mortgages "strangled", etc. ;
- there is no rest at home: the woman is drinking, there is no rest from the mother-in-law, the neighbor has a sharp tooth. . ;
- forced by someone;
- he does not want to be different from everyone else;
- for some it is a sign of maturity;
- someone just relaxes this way;
- removes his shyness.
It is worth noting that everyone's alcohol addiction starts differently. Someone can start at 15-16 years old. Others start at the age of 25-30.
Furthermore, alcohol consumption becomes a habit and without it one simply cannot feel relaxed. We start drowning our problems in alcohol, because a drunk doesn't care what happens around. And alreadysobriety becomes a disease. . . Because it is bad for a sober person to accept the world and adequately perceive the situation. Alcohol turns into a "medicine" that cures only our illusions.
Stages of alcoholism
There are several stages of alcoholism:
- The first stage of alcoholism: hard to refrain from drinking, a friend came with a bottle, how to refuse? And it doesn't matter that there are very important things tomorrow. The first stage can be cured without outside help. The desire and work on oneself is important;
- The second phase of alcoholism: when a person drinks a lot but does not get drunk. And without alcohol it is simply impossible for man to exist. This is the beginning of physical addiction;
- The third stage of alcoholism: different from the other. When you drink a glass and you can barely stand on your feet. And this condition is permanent. You urgently need medication.
The most important thing, you need to understand that alcohol addiction does not occur overnight. It involves a progressive, complex process that takes place in an area of the brain known as the "reward center. "In the same place that regulates and amplifies the natural needs that are vital to our existence. That is why the addicted brain chases after alcohol and other drugs as if these substances are necessary for our survival. And that’s why people with active addiction put the search for alcohol or other drugs above almost every other priority.
Scientists have also identified many social, psychological, genetic and other factors that make some people more vulnerable than others to the development of alcoholism. In all cases, it is important to understand that no one chooses to develop alcoholism. Two people can start drinking alcohol, with one person becoming addicted to alcohol and the other not developing symptoms.
Also keep in mind that people who become addicted should never use alcohol or other addictive drugs without endangering their health. Their brain chemistry has changed in such a way that it can be restored through rehabilitation, but that balance will always remain sensitive to reuse.
Ways and methods to stop drinking
Effective ways you can use to fight alcohol. Don't procrastinate for tomorrow. Get started now.
Then follow all the methods described below and you will be able to stop drinking once and for all!
The first way to stop drinking is: "Be scared"
Although they say that it is useless to read articles about the harmfulness of alcohol, it does not help, but after all, no one reads them carefully. If you feel that you want to drink more and more often, do not be lazy and read our article again. You better keep it to yourself. Also read about how harmful alcohol is. Take 15 minutes each day to read small articles. For example, be intimidated and always remember the dangers of alcohol. Think of your liver, your youth, your beauty. And about how hard it is to fight alcoholism. Especially if you do it yourself.
Another way to stop drinking: "Become an actor in your movie"
Another very interesting way to think about giving up alcohol is to record yourself drunk. Just put on the camera or ask someone. Often, not everyone will be able to watch their drunken adventures even until the middle of filming. And the feeling of shame is a sign of distinguishing man from animal. You will also realize how difficult it is for your loved ones.
Third way to stop drinking: "Find an ecological substitute"
It is very important to find a way to relax, replace alcohol with something else. Sports, dancing, singing, find your talent. Make sure it's important for you to stop drinking. We wanted to have a drink in the evening, but instead we jogged in the fresh air. Or go to the gym.
The main thing is that this is an environmentally friendly solution, in no case do not replace alcohol, for example, tablets. Everyone has the strength of will, you just need to find it in yourself and replace alcohol not with another substance that obscures the mind, but with something that will delight you.
The fourth way to stop drinking is: "Clear your friends list and update your social circle. "
If there are people in your social circle who are drinking and constantly pushing you, get rid of communication 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 social circle of alcoholics is a black hole from which it is very difficult to get out on your own with every bottle you drink. And with every bottle you drink, take a step to be alone.
Moreover, today there are many opportunities to renew your social circle: parks, gyms, hobby clubs. . .
Fifth way to stop drinking: "Become your personal accountant"
Keep a diary in which you record alcohol consumption. And write down how much you didn't spend on this useless olive today.
Go to the store and for that money buy yourself a gift, for example, quality clothes, a new phone. Reward yourself for stopping drinking! Better yet, save. See how much you will have in a month, and what you can buy instead of alcohol.
Sixth way to stop hitting: "Memory won't let you get drunk"
In time, you will learn to control yourself, and a symbolic glass of champagne for the new year will not mean drinking a liter of vodka. You will already know your limit: after how many sips you will want to drink more and more or which glass is not worth drinking.
Be sure to remember how you called "gin from the toilet" the next morning after getting drunk and how it seemed to you that your head would now burst with pain and that would be an ideal option for you. By the way, if you are hungover after a heavy drink, this is a very loud bell, which already calls you an alcoholic.
The seventh way to stop drinking forever: "A friend of alcohol is a cigarette"
We decided to stop drinking and then smoking. If this habit is on your list of harmful ones. After all, a cigarette is looking for a drink, after a glass of another cigarette it seems "tastier". But this is an illusion. And so much has already been said about the harmfulness of smoking that it is not worth mentioning.
Eighth way: "Analysis of their actions"
In no way blame yourself for loving this green snake. And feel free to talk about not drinking. Sometimes you just need to analyze everything that has happened to you in your life. When you drank, when you were hungover, when you had a desire to drink.
You can even divide a piece of paper into two halves and write in one column what good alcohol gave me, in another what kind of trouble it caused. I bet the column with good points probably won't fill up. But to analyze the impact of alcohol on your life, data is enough.
Close and dear make us full-fledged people!
Ninth way: "Relatives are close"
It is very important to admit to yourself that you are addicted. It is not necessary to shout at every corner and introduce yourself: "Hello, I'm Vasja and I'm an alcoholic" No! Just admit it to yourself. Then, if you want, you can initiate your loved ones, wife, parents, children, those you live with or communicate with often, to know your intentions to stop drinking.
And the locals will certainly not tell you that you are a fool or crazy. They are close and close to helping and, most importantly, to understand. The support of loved ones is essential at the beginning of the journey to get rid of drinking habits. Don’t be afraid to say, it’s more dangerous to back off and not give up.
Tenth way to fight alcoholism: "Provocation is failure"
There is an unshakable rule that if a person has decided not to drink, there is no need to provoke. For example, don't go to a store that has alcoholic beverages, so, or at least avoid departments with attractive bottles.
Try at first, until you get into the habit of not drinking, do not attend events where there is alcohol. Skip a friend's birthday or nephew's baptism. You can skip this important event and then you will catch up with your sober attention on them.
The path to liberation will require sacrifices, but they will be insignificant compared to the sacrifices that can be made if you continue to drink.
Eleventh way: "Eat dinner alone. . . "
A very important aspect in the fight against alcoholism is to be full. Yes Yes. After all, you usually want to drink on an empty stomach, so try to have a hearty dinner in the evening when you come home from work, and thoughts about drinking will surely go into the background.
way:"Stress is the reason for drinking"
Try to avoid stressful situations, it is certainly difficult in our time, but possible. Now you can find many methods of dealing with depressive situations on the Internet, for example, meditation. Not everyone gets them, but it's worth a try. Remember one truth for yourself, alcohol does not solve problems, alcohol adds new problems!
When a person refuses alcohol, it is as if he is losing something. Emptiness and discomfort appear. It is necessary in these moments to find something to do for yourself, so to speak, to fill the gap. For example, instead of going out in the evening with a bottle and a glass, go to the cinema for an evening show. Buy a ticket for a rock concert and shout there from the heart. By the way, the way of shouting is efficient, they came home angry, there is no power to drink, because life is complete "shit", shut yourself in the bathroom or room and shout, loud, you can disturb the voice, but only forward. And life will no longer seem so unjust. And it is quite possible that you will find the right solution to a problem while screaming.
If you want, you can consult a psychologist or narcologist. The help of a specialist is often very important in these moments of throwing. A good doctor can even discover the cause of your addiction, extract exactly where it all started, and this is an important fact on the path to getting rid of alcohol.
There is now a lot of literature on "How to stop drinking", "The road to sobriety" or "An easy way to stop drinking". Read them. It may not have the expected effect, but it will certainly not do any harm. And it is better to start reading these books of advice in the evening than to fill your problems with suspicious liquid.
way:"Look at yourself like in a mirror"
Try to put yourself in the shoes of those people who suffer from your antics when you are drunk. Imagine, for example, your wife or husband in your place. Your other person gets drunk and misbehaves. If he’s at a party, then at least they should be ashamed of their partner. Or if he made a scandal at home after drinking? Disrupt sleep? Are you happy with this?
Now imagine that your children see you in this state. As a child, would you like to see your mom or dad under the guise of a Neanderthal? Hardly anyone will answer in the affirmative. Now imagine sitting at your workplace and your colleague at the next table smelling of smoke, or worse, "fresh. " Either you come to the doctor and he sits with a headache after yesterday’s feast and has no idea how to cure you. Ordoes a drunk teacher teach you a lesson?
Imagine how you can find situations when alcohol is unpleasant to you, people who use it, consequences.
Folk ways to fight alcohol: use or better to fear them?
But in any case, do not resort to methods that can harm your health. Many, in order to stop drinking, go to their grandmothers to "whisper" and "talk" out of the habit of drinking. It's good if grandma just whispers over you, and if she gives you herbs or tinctures. . . And you can turn from an alcoholic into a poisoned one. If you really feel that you cannot cope on your own, consult a narcologist who will prescribe the right treatment and will not harm your health.
Be sure to analyze your life when you have been drinking and this week when you are not drinking. Or this year without alcohol. Believe me, time spent without alcohol is much more colorful, interesting and happier than with it. At least try to put this theory into practice. If you do not like to live without alcohol, you can always return to hangovers, unconsciousness, failures, debts. . alas, alcohol can be sold 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 are proof that treatments work, families get better, and life gets better.
As with other chronic diseases, alcohol or other drug addiction can be successfully treated. This will allow you to live a fulfilled and fulfilled life.
If you find it difficult to cope on your own, contact a drug treatment center. Most people who attend treatment programs not only stop using alcohol or other drugs, but also improve their professional, social and psychological well-being.