I have prepared this ingredient for those who want to stop drinking on their own or help loved ones. I speak in simple, non -medical language so you understand what to do and where to go.
Millions suffer from alcoholism. This is more than people suffering from other diseases. Alcohol destroys not only the family, but also one’s personality. Alcohol dependence is one of the most difficult disorders and, moreover, can be quite dangerous. Therefore, it is important that we strive to prevent and treat alcohol use disorders.
We believe that 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 distract yourself by thinking about some of the topics below.
So! What is Alcoholism?
Alcoholism is a "disease of the mind, body and spirit. " Because this condition includes physical and psychological cravings. And also coercion into mood -altering alcohol consumption. And recovery from alcohol dependence includes physical, psychological 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 at the psychological level. Physical dependence comes much later, when a person transforms into a being who needs only one thing, to fill himself with alcohol. And no matter it is a substitute, tincture or something else.
The psychological stage of the disease is quite possible to overcome on its own. Methods of how to stop drinking, I will analyze further. But with physical addiction, you need to see a doctor - a narcologist and already treat yourself medically for alcohol addiction.
How to understand that there is a problem and it needs to be solved?
Below I will analyze some situations that may be familiar or close to you. If you have at least one of the signs listed below, then you still have alcohol dependence, and you may not yet be fond of alcohol, but there is a problem.
If:
- you have been invited to a party and immediately state that the event will be "dry". And you refuse to go because you don’t know how you can have fun and relax without alcohol;
- the more often you start retiring with alcohol, no matter how strong the alcohol is. But you’re more comfortable sipping beer alone than in company;
- only by drinking can you overcome feelings of anxiety and worry;
- it is very difficult to overcome the urge to drink, you are not hindered by the circumstances of tomorrow to work. Whether you have an important exam, or you need to pass some type of analysis;
- cursing those who do not drink at all, there must be something wrong with this person;
- drunk so in the morning it is very difficult to remember what you did.
Next, we’ll 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 stage 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 rest of the weekend drinking. After that, the drinking habit passes into the work day, and no longer saves tomorrow for work. If before you were looking for some reason, a cat's birthday, Bastille day, buying new socks, then the drink would be for no reason, just because I wanted to. And the question of "what to drink" disappears by itself.
Because drinking
They are quite different. They drink because:
- difficulties in life arise: loved ones suffer or die;
- unresolved financial issues: they were fired from work and it was impossible to find new ones; "choking" loans or mortgages, etc. ;
- there is no rest in the house: the wife sees, there is no rest from the mother -in -law, the neighbor grinds his teeth. . ;
- forced by someone;
- do not want to be different from others;
- for some, this is a sign of adulthood;
- one just relaxes this way;
- remove his embarrassment.
Keep in mind that alcohol addiction starts differently for each person. One can start at the age of 15-16 years. Others start at the age of 25-30 years.
Further, alcohol consumption turns into a habit, and without it one cannot feel relaxed. In alcohol, we start to drown out our problems, because a drunk doesn’t care what’s going on around. And alreadyserenity becomes a disease. . . Because it is bad for a conscious person to accept the world and understand the situation adequately. Alcohol turns into a "medicine" that cures only our illusions.
Stages of alcoholism
There are several levels of alcoholism:
- The first stage of alcoholism: difficult to refrain from drinking, friends come with a bottle, how to refuse? And it doesn’t matter that tomorrow there are very important things. The first stage may be cured without outside help. Desire and effort in oneself are important;
- The second stage of alcoholism: when a person drinks a lot, but is not drunk. And without alcohol, it is impossible for a person to exist. This is the beginning of physical addiction;
- The third stage of alcoholism: different from the latter. When you drink a glass and you can barely stand on your feet. And this situation remains. You need drug treatment right away.
The most important thing, you must understand that alcohol dependence does not happen 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 enhances the natural needs essential to our existence. This 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 addictions put 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 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 may start drinking alcohol, with one becoming addicted to alcohol and the other experiencing no symptoms.
Also keep in mind that people who become addicted should not use alcohol or other addictive drugs without endangering their health. Their brain chemistry has changed in such a way that it can be rebalanced through recovery, but this balance will always be vulnerable to new uses.
Ways and methods to stop drinking
An effective way you can use to fight alcohol. Don't put it off until tomorrow. Start 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: "Fear yourself"
Although they say that there is no point in reading articles about the dangers of alcohol, it does not help, but after all, no one reads them carefully. If you feel you want to drink more and more often, do not be lazy and re -read our article. Better keep it to yourself. And also read about how dangerous alcohol is. Take 15 minutes each day to read a small article. So say, scare yourself and always remember about the dangers of alcohol. Think about your heart, about your youth, about your beauty. And also about how hard it is to fight alcoholism. Especially if you do it yourself.
The second way to stop drinking: "Be your movie star"
Another very interesting way to think about quitting alcohol is by recording yourself in a state of intoxication. Put down the camera or ask someone. Often, not everyone will be able to watch their drunken adventures even until the middle of filming. And shyness is a sign that distinguishes a person from an animal. You will also understand how difficult it is for your loved ones.
The third way to stop drinking: "Find an ecological substitute"
It is very important to find a way to relax, replacing alcohol with something else. Sports, dance, sing, find your talent. Convince yourself that it is important for you to stop drinking. We wanted to have a drink in the afternoon, 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 the case of not replacing alcohol, for example, with pills. Everyone has a will, you just have to find it in yourself and replace alcohol not with another substance that obscures the mind, but with something that will make you happy.
The fourth way to stop drinking: "Clean up your friends list and update your social circles. "
If there are people in your social circles who drink and they reject you all the time, discard communication with such friends. Understand that this is not a friend, and remember the words from the song "A friend won’t tell you, drink to the bottom. " The social circle of alcohol is a black hole, which is very difficult to get out of on its own with every bottle you drink. And with every bottle you drink, you take a step to be alone.
Moreover, today there are many opportunities to renew your social circle: parks, gyms, hobby clubs. . .
The fifth way to stop drinking: "Be your own personal accountant"
Keep a diary where you record your alcohol expenses. And write down how much you didn’t spend on this useless swill today.
Go to the store and buy yourself a gift with this money, for example, high -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.
The sixth way to stop beating: "Memory won't let you get drunk"
Over time, you will learn to control yourself, and a symbolic glass of champagne for the new year will not involve drinking a liter of vodka. You already know your limits: after how many sips, you’ll want to drink more, or which glasses shouldn’t be drunk.
Make sure you remember how you call "get out of the toilet" the next day after drinking, and how you seem to think your head is going to break because of the pain now and that would be the ideal choice for you. By the way, if you are drunk after a heavy drink, this is a very loud bell, which is already calling you an alcoholic.
The seventh way to quit alcohol for good: "Friends of alcohol are cigarettes"
We decided to stop drinking, then smoking had to stop. If this habit is on the dangerous list. After all, a cigarette requires a drink, after another glass, the puff looks more "delicious". But this is an illusion. And so much has been said about the dangers of smoking that it shouldn’t be mentioned here.
The eighth way: "Analysis of their actions"
Never blame yourself for loving this green snake. And feel free to talk about not drinking. Sometimes you just have to analyze everything that happens to you in life. When you drink, when you are hungry, when you have a desire to drink.
You can also divide a piece of paper into two parts and write, in one column, what are the benefits of alcohol given to me, in the other part, what problems it poses. I’m sure a column with good eyes is unlikely to be filled. But to analyze the effects of alcohol on your life, the data is enough.
Close and loving people make us perfect people!
The ninth way: "Close relatives"
It is very important to admit to yourself that you are addicted. No need to shout at every corner and introduce yourself: "Hello, my name is Vasya and I’m an alcoholic" No! Just admit it to yourself. Then, if you want, you can start with your loved ones, wife, parents, children, those you live with or communicate with often, so that they know your intention to stop drinking.
And the natives certainly won’t tell you that you’re stupid or crazy. They are close and close to help and, most importantly, to understand. The support of loved ones is fundamental in the beginning of the journey to get rid of the drinking habit. Do not be afraid to tell, it is more dangerous to withdraw and not stop.
The 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 himself. For example, don’t go to a store that has liquor, well, or at least avoid a department with an inviting bottle.
Try at first, until you have developed the habit of not drinking, not attending events where there is alcohol. Skip a friend’s birthday or a nephew’s baptism. You can skip these important events, then you will chase your serious attention to them.
The road to liberation will require sacrifice, but it will be insignificant compared to the sacrifices that can be made if you continue to drink.
Eleventh way: "Have dinner alone. . . "
A very important aspect in combating alcoholism is satiety. Yes Yes. After all, often you want to drink on an empty stomach, so try a tasty dinner in the evening when you come home from work, and the thought of drinking will definitely fade into the background.
Method:"Stress due to drinking"
Try to avoid stressful situations, this is indeed difficult to do in our time, but possible. Now on the Internet you can find many methods to get rid of depressive situations, for example, meditation. Not everyone gets it, but it’s worth a try. Remember one truth for yourself, alcohol doesn’t solve problems, alcohol adds new problems!
When one rejects alcohol, it seems to lose something. Emptiness and discomfort appear. It is necessary in these moments to find something to do for yourself, so to speak, to fill the void. For example, instead of an evening date with a bottle and a glass, go to the movies for an evening show. Buy tickets to a rock concert and scream there with all your might. In this way, the way to scream is effective, they go home angry, there is no strength to drink, because life is "shit", close yourself in the bathroom or room and shout, loudly, you can also interrupt your voice, butgo for it. And life no longer seems unfair. And it is possible that while screaming, you will find the right solution to some problems.
If you want, you can consult a psychologist or consult a narcologist. Expert help is often very important in these throwing moments. A good doctor can also find the cause of your addiction, remove the starting thing from where it all started, and this is an important fact in how to get rid of alcohol.
There is now a lot of literature on the topic of "How to Stop Drinking", "How to Towards Patience" or "Easy Ways to Stop Drinking". Read them. Maybe they won’t have the expected effect, but they certainly won’t do any harm. And it’s better to keep busy in the evening reading this advice book than to fill your problems with dubious liquids.
Method:"Look at yourself as in the mirror"
Try to put yourself in the position of people who experience your antics when you are drunk. Imagine, for example, your wife or husband in your place. Your important people get drunk and misbehave. If it’s at a party, then at least you should be embarrassed with your partner. Or if at home, after getting drunk, he makes a scandal? Disturbing sleep? Are you satisfied with this?
Now imagine your kids seeing you in this situation. As a kid, did you want to see your mom or dad in a Neanderthal mask? Almost no one will answer yes. Now imagine that you are sitting at your workplace, and your coworker at the next desk smells of smoke, or worse, "fresh". Or you come to the doctor, and he sits with a headache after yesterday’s feast and doesn’t know how to cure you. Or is a drunk teacher teaching your child a lesson?
Imagine how you can deal with a situation when alcohol is unpleasant to you, the person who uses it, as a result.
People's way of combating alcohol: use or is it better to be afraid of them?
But in any case, do not use methods that can endanger your health. Many, to stop drinking, go to the grandmother, so that they "whisper" and "talk" from the habit of drinking. It is good if grandma just whispers to you, and if she gives you herbs or tincture. . . And you can turn from an alcoholic patient into a toxic patient. If you really feel that you can not cope on your own, contact a narcologist who will prescribe the right treatment and will not endanger your health.
Make sure you analyze your life while you drink and this week when you don’t drink. Or this year without alcohol. Believe me, time spent without alcohol is far more colorful, interesting and happier than with it. At least try to practice this theory. If you do not like living without alcohol products, you can always go back to drunkenness, blackouts, failure, debt. . Unfortunately, alcohol is available for sale here.
The key question is: is it realistic to stop drinking?
Millions of people around the world are proof that recovery is stronger than alcohol dependence. And it is proof that treatment is effective, families are getting better, and lives are getting better.
Like any other chronic illness, addiction to alcohol or other drugs can be dealt with successfully. This will allow you to live a fulfilling and fulfilling life.
If you find it difficult to cope on your own, call 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.