The vast majority of alcoholics who are addicted to alcohol will tell you that consuming excessive amounts of alcohol provides them with a variety of advantages, including the ability to forget their worries and to unwind after an exhausting day, amongst many other advantages. However, people should not forget that drinking has resulted in many issues for them, such as the dissolution of relationships, feelings of melancholy and anxiety, and feelings of shame. Furthermore, it has resulted in the loss of employment for a great number of people.
When you stop drinking, you not only have a better physical and mental state, but you also have more time and energy for the things and people in your life that are important to you.
Are you prepared to either give up drinking entirely or reduce your consumption to levels that are healthier? The first step on the path to rehabilitation is getting started, and these suggestions will help you do that.
HOW CAN I CUT DOWN ON DRINKING?
The process of recovering from alcoholism can be an arduous and difficult one. There will be times when it will feel like an impossible task. In contrast, it is not. No matter how much you drink or how helpless you feel, you can recover from alcoholism and alcohol abuse if you are willing to quit drinking and willing to seek the support you need. And you don’t have to wait until you’ve reached your lowest point to make a change; you have the ability to do so at any time.
The majority of alcoholics who struggle with alcoholism are not going to decide out of the blue to make a significant shift or transform their drinking habits overnight. The process of recovery is typically one that unfolds more gradually. Denial is a significant barrier to progress during the early phases of transformation. Even after you have acknowledged that you have a drinking problem, you may continue to find reasons to procrastinate. It is essential that you acknowledge the mixed feelings you have about quitting drinking. If you are unsure whether or not you are prepared for change, or if you are having trouble making a decision, it may be helpful to think about the costs and rewards associated with each option.
These tips can help you take the first step toward getting better right now, whether you want to stop drinking completely or just cut down to a level that fits better with a healthy lifestyle.
SET YOUR GOALS AND GET READY FOR CHANGE
The next stage, after deciding to make a change in your drinking habits, is to set specific drinking objectives for yourself. The more concrete, attainable, and understandable your objectives are, the better.
Do you want to stop drinking completely or just drink less frequently? If cutting back on your drinking is one of your goals, determine which days of the week you will drink alcohol and how many drinks you will allow yourself to consume on each of those days. You should make it a goal to abstain from drinking at least two days per week and commit to doing so.
When do you want to stop drinking or start drinking less? Now? Tomorrow? In a week? When is it again? If you are trying to quit drinking, pick a date for when you will no longer drink.
HOW TO ACHIEVE YOUR SET GOALS
After you have decided that you want to either cut back or stop drinking altogether, jot down some suggestions for how you might assist yourself in achieving these objectives and follow through with them. Take, for instance,
Inform your loved ones, your coworkers, and your friends that you are attempting to quit or reduce the amount of alcohol you consume. Ask those who drink to support your recovery by abstaining from doing so in your presence if they do drink. Make it clear that drinking will not be allowed in your home and that you may not be able to go to parties where alcohol will be served.
Remove absolutely all traces of alcohol, including barware and any other items linked with drinking, from both your home and your place of employment. This includes throwing away any and all items that are associated with drinking.
Keep your distance from folks who won’t back your efforts to cut back on drinking or who won’t respect the limits you’ve established for yourself. It’s possible that this will require you to cut ties with some of your friends and other social contacts.
Always try to gain wisdom from your experiences by thinking back on times when you stopped or cut back on your drinking. What was successful? What didn’t? What can you do differently this time to avoid getting into potentially dangerous situations?
CHOOSING TO DRINK LESS OVER GIVING UP ALCOHOL COMPLETELY
How severe your drinking issue is will determine whether or not you will be able to successfully cut back on the amount of alcohol you consume. It is in your best interest to abstain completely from drinking if you have been diagnosed as an alcoholic, which, according to the definition, indicates that you are unable to exercise self-control over your drinking. But if you’re not quite ready to take that step, or if you don’t have a drinking problem but still want to drink less for reasons related to your personal life or health, the following tips can help:
Set Your Drinking Goal.
Set a limit for yourself regarding how much alcohol you will consume, but make sure it does not exceed one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. Additionally, make it a point to abstain from alcohol on a few days per week. Put your drinking goal in writing and keep it in a place where you will be reminded of it frequently, such as on your phone or on the refrigerator in your kitchen.
Set Aside One Or Two Days Every Week When You Won’t Drink Alcohol.
Then, make an effort to abstain from drinking for a whole week. Make a mental and physical note of how you feel on these days; if you can see the benefits of quitting, it will be easier for you to maintain your abstinence.
Take It Easy On The Booze.
Drinking responsibly means taking your time and waiting at least 30 minutes to an hour in between drinks. Alternate non-alcoholic drinks with alcoholic ones, such as soda, water, or juice. Avoid making the mistake of imbibing on an empty stomach by always eating before you drink.
Keeping Track Of How Much Alcohol You Consume Can Help You Stay On Track.
Log your drinking habits, including how often and how much you drink, for a week to a month. If you look at the data, you might be shocked to see how much alcohol you consume in a typical week.
Reduce Your Consumption Of Alcoholic Beverages At Home.
At home, remove or reduce your access to alcoholic beverages. If you remove all opportunities for drinking from your environment, you will find it much simpler to abstain.
OPTIONS FOR ALCOHOL ADDICTION TREATMENT
There are some individuals who are able to quit drinking on their own or with the assistance of another support group. Some people are unable to safely and pleasantly withdraw from alcohol without the assistance of a medical professional. The choice that is ideal for you will be determined by how much you have been drinking, how long you have had a problem, the consistency of your living circumstances, and any additional health issues that you may have.
In many cases, the first thing you should do is make an appointment with your general practitioner (GP). Your primary care physician is in the best position to analyze your drinking patterns, diagnose any co-occurring disorders, evaluate your general health, and refer you to treatment options. They might even be able to write you a prescription for medicine to assist you in quitting.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE MOST EFFECTIVE ADDICTION TREATMENT
There is no silver bullet or one treatment that is certain to work for everyone. Because the requirements of each individual are distinctive, it is essential that you locate a program that satisfies you in every way. Any program to treat alcoholism should be made to fit the needs and problems of each individual patient.
It is not necessary for treatment to only involve medical professionals and mental health professionals. In addition to providing therapy for addiction, many members of the clergy, social workers, and counselors also do so.
Your treatment should focus on more than simply your problem with alcohol. Addiction has a ripple effect on all aspects of a person’s life, including their relationships, careers, health, and mental and emotional well-being. The key to successful treatment is taking an honest look at the effects that your alcoholism has had on your life and crafting a fresh approach to everyday activities.
There Is A Significant Importance Placed On Commitment And Persistence.
Getting sober after a bout of severe drinking or addiction to alcohol is not a process that can be summed up as simple or quick. In general, the longer and more intensely you use alcohol, the longer and more intensely you will need treatment. Long-term follow-up care is essential to your recovery, but this is true despite the fact that it makes no difference whether the treatment program is measured in weeks or months.
Seek Therapy For Other Conditions, Whether They Are Physical Or Mental.
People frequently turn to alcohol in order to alleviate the symptoms of a mental health condition such as depression or anxiety for which they have not been properly diagnosed. It is essential that, in addition to getting therapy for your alcoholism, you also obtain treatment for any and all other mental health problems that you may be facing. Receiving therapy for both your mental health and addiction issues from the same treatment provider or treatment team gives you the best possible opportunity to make a full recovery from both conditions.
Get Assistance
It doesn’t matter if you decide to address your alcoholism by checking into a rehabilitation center, engaging in therapy, or embarking on a path of self-directed treatment; having support is crucial. Don’t even think about going it alone. When you have individuals you can count on for support, encouragement, and direction during your recovery from alcohol addiction or abuse, the process will be a lot more manageable.
You may receive support from members of your family and friends, from counselors, from other alcoholics who are in recovery, from healthcare providers, and from members of your faith group.
Create A Support System For Sober Living.
If alcohol was the center of your prior social life, it’s possible that you’ll need to establish some new contacts. It is essential to surround yourself with sober companions who will encourage and support your rehabilitation. Think about taking a class, joining a local church or community group, giving your time as a volunteer, or going to local events.
Put An Emphasis On Holding Meetings.
Join a recovery support organization like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and make it a point to attend meetings on a consistent basis. It can be quite therapeutic to spend time with folks who completely understand what it is that you are going through at the moment. You can also gain something from the experiences that other people in the group have had and find out what other people have done to maintain their sobriety.
Prepare Yourself For Potential Triggers And Cravings.
A person who has just stopped drinking may experience significant cravings for alcohol, particularly in the first six months after they have stopped drinking. A good alcohol treatment program will help you prepare for these obstacles by helping you build new coping skills to deal with stressful situations, the desire to consume alcohol, and the pressure from society to drink.
Stay Away From Drinking Triggers
Stay away from the items that bring on your cravings for alcohol. If there are particular people, locations, or activities that bring on a desire for alcohol, you should make every effort to avoid them. Because of this, it’s possible that you’ll need to make significant adjustments to your social life. For example, you could need to find other activities to do with your old drinking companions, or you might even need to give up those friends and find new ones.
Get In The Habit Of Saying “No” When People Offer You Drinks In Social Settings.
No matter how diligently you work to stay away from alcoholic beverages, there is a good chance that someone will offer you a drink at some point. You should practice your answer in advance. It should be a strong “no thanks” that you say in a nice way.
CONCLUSION
The majority of the time, you may find that you are battling with cravings for alcohol. When this occurs, you should chat to people you can trust, do some house cleaning, or go for a walk, and always remind yourself of the reasons why you have stopped drinking. Your life will change for the better if you follow the instructions in this article.
