Treatment of any form of alcoholism involves the patient's complete abstinence from alcohol. The success of the therapy is reduced to zero if the patient has no desire for the person to live in a state of sobriety. On the contrary, a person's awareness of his own illness is already the first step towards achieving remission. Such awareness is the result of very complex work on oneself and requires a lot of time and effort. Therefore, in order to stop drinking, it is best for a person to consult a doctor.
Reasons for stopping alcohol consumption
There are many reasons why a person stops drinking. Among the most important are:
- the desire to be healthy;
- deterioration of 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 for an adequate perception of the surrounding reality;
- high efficiency;
- good relationship at work and impeccable reputation;
- saving money (financial spending on alcohol always takes a significant share of the alcoholic's budget);
- high sexuality, no problems with potency in men or menstrual cycle in women;
- the presence of strength and time (after all, the life of a person who is in an alcoholic network is guided by one desire - to drink);
- excellent state of mind, cheerfulness;
- a healthy atmosphere in the house;
- a full, bright and healthy life;
- healthy offspring.
The road to a sober life is very long and difficult. However, a person has a chance to get rid of addiction by following the doctor's advice. For that, the most important thing is to have a strong desire for healing and an iron will.
Can a person stop drinking alone?
Doctors warn: there are no former alcoholics. Alcoholism is an incurable disease. However, the patient always has the opportunity to achieve a stable remission and stop drinking alcohol. The duration of the sobriety period is variable and can range from several months to several decades.
Methods of mental impact on the patient are effective for stopping alcohol consumption. They allow you to inspire the patient with a negative attitude towards alcohol and thus prevent relapse. With a positive outcome, a firm belief is formed that he can lead a healthy and fulfilling life without drinking a single drop of alcoholic beverage.
Successful treatment of alcoholism depends on a large number of factors. The most important thing is that a person decides for himself whether to drink alcohol or not.
Spontaneous remission
It is rare for a person to spontaneously stop drinking. This is driven by a certain factor: there is the acceptance of one's illness, and then the decision that something needs to be changed in life.
The main disadvantage of spontaneous remission is indefinite persistence and spontaneity.
Motivational remission
In this case, the person consciously refuses to drink alcohol. It happens more often if there is a danger to a person's life. Consciously refusing alcohol, a person raises a number of financial issues, and also solves the problem of preserving the family.
Gradually, a person comes to the conclusion that completely rejecting alcohol will allow him to achieve his goals in life and consolidate success. In remission, he is completely convinced that his choice is correct and a priority, despite the presence of temptation. Moreover, every victory over alcohol and the approval of the people around him further strengthens the sober position.
Forced remission
A person does not always aspire to a sober lifestyle voluntarily. Many people who are addicted to alcohol do not always realize how harmful their bad habit is. However, circumstances take over. For example, if the director is at work or the spouse, the child puts the person in front of a choice, he must obey. Otherwise, it will be shown throughout the life of the alcoholic.
Forced remission is usually not permanent. Moreover, the person is constantly in a state of tension, because he experiences difficulties and inconveniences from such compulsion. A breakdown after such a remission usually has very serious consequences.
Somatogenic remission
If a person finds out about a sudden deterioration in health, they usually stop drinking alcohol. The most common situation is when the patient needs to give up alcohol on the background of delirium tremens.
Also, alcoholics fear the consequences of surviving a serious illness (for example, a heart attack or stroke). Against the background of negative emotions, they completely lose their attraction to alcohol. Awareness of the harmfulness of alcohol, albeit belatedly, forms a new attitude: survival is a higher priority than drinking alcohol and short-term intoxication.
Psychogenic remission
This variant of alcohol withdrawal is associated with somatogenic remission. When a person finds out what he did while intoxicated, he experiences a big shock. In a state of shame for his actions, he decides to stop drinking.
There can be many such reasons. Most often it is:
- traffic accidents due to drunkenness;
- attempted assassination of one's own children;
- violence.
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 forgetfulness, suicide is not excluded.
Post-intoxication remission
The nature of this remission could not be fully determined. It is typical for people who chronically use alcoholic beverages. One day they stop drinking and do not challenge this decision.
Doctors suggest that at some point poisoning with ethyl alcohol and its decomposition products reaches a critical limit. At this moment, biochemical processes in the brain change and an aversion to alcoholic beverages occurs. It is important to note that the taste and smell of alcohol suddenly becomes unpleasant. Even small doses cause nausea and vomiting.
Post-intoxication remission is relatively stable. However, relapses are not excluded, when, against the background of a sober lifestyle, a person's health improves noticeably.
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 desire for alcohol, a desire to immediately skip "a glass or two". For those who have firmly and confidently embarked on the sober path, such advice can help.
- You should contact a specialized clinic. Here, specialists will choose an individual treatment plan, prescribe effective drugs if necessary. Psychologists and rehabilitators will help you get out of overeating, clean your body and develop a persistent negative attitude towards the use of ethanol.
- If you want to stop 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 those closest to you.
- The patient should cut all ties with people with whom he drank and who were tolerant of his addiction.
- Throw away all alcoholic beverages at home. This will make it much easier for you to avoid temptation. If there is a calm reaction to people who drink alcohol, it is already a success.
- You must be prepared for the fact that withdrawal symptoms will develop during alcohol withdrawal. At the same time, he will suffer from various psychophysiological disorders. The urge to take them off can be very strong. At this moment it is important not to succumb to weakness. Dealing with withdrawal symptoms on your own is very difficult, so you should trust the experts.
- You should read literature on various aspects of alcoholism. It is important to avoid sources of questionable origin. You can discuss all questions with your doctor.
- The daily routine should include different types of physical activity. It is important to eat well and a lot, as well as rest. It is ideal to learn how to avoid stress, or at least not react to it.
- Some can be helped by movement, communication with other people.
- An interesting hobby will improve the emotional background. Some people are helped by a change of profession, volunteering and outdoor activities.
- At meetings, on holidays, you have to look for an alternative to alcoholic beverages, which, unfortunately, have become traditional. Even one cocktail can disrupt all previous efforts.
There is no one-size-fits-all method for quitting drinking. Every alcoholic should look for the most suitable option. In order to avoid relapses and achieve a positive effect, it is important to contact experts.