I have prepared this material for those who want to quit drinking by themselves or help their loved ones. I speak simple non-medical language so that you can understand what to do and where to go.
Millions of people drink alcohol. This is far more people who suffer from other diseases. Alcoholism not only destroys the family, but also destroys a person's personality. Alcohol dependence is one of the most difficult diseases, and it can be very dangerous. Therefore, we must work hard to prevent and treat alcohol use disorders.
We believe that it is possible to stop drinking! Most importantly, we are always 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 mental, physical and mental illness". Because this state includes physical and psychological desires. And also compulsory use of alcohol that changes mood. Recovery from alcohol dependence includes physical, mental, and emotional recovery.
If we use one term to speak, then, according to the great Soviet encyclopedia, it sounds like this: alcoholism is a chronic mental illness. In other words, according to this definition, alcoholism is a psychological disease. Physical dependence comes later, when a person becomes a person who only needs one thing, he can fill himself with alcohol. It doesn't matter if it is a substitute, tincture, or other things.
The psychological aspect of the disease can be overcome by itself. I will analyze the methods of quitting alcohol. But for physical addiction, you need to see a doctor-an anesthesiologist, and have already taken medical treatment for your alcohol addiction.
How to understand that there is a problem to be solved?
Let me analyze a few situations that you may be familiar with or close. If you have at least one of the signs listed below, then you still have alcohol dependence. You may not be an avid alcoholic yet, but there is a problem.
if:
- You are invited to a party and immediately point out that the event will be "boring". You refuse to go because you don’t know how to have fun and relax without alcohol;
- More and more cases, you start to retire with alcohol, no matter how strong it is. But drinking beer by yourself is more comfortable than in the company;
- Only drinking alcohol can cope with anxiety and anxious emotions;
- The urge to drink is difficult to cope with, and you will not be stopped by going to work tomorrow. Either you have an important exam, or you need to pass some kind of analysis;
- Condemn those who don't drink at all, this person must have a problem;
- It's hard to remember what you are doing in the morning when you are drunk.
Next, we will look at what you can do and how to overcome alcohol addiction.
Stop drinking and make life better!
The beginning of addiction and the stages of alcoholism
Gradually, a person who is addicted to alcohol began to abuse it, and it became very difficult not to drink for several days. You are waiting for Friday so that you can drink throughout the weekend. After that, the habit of drinking became a weekday and will no longer be maintained at work tomorrow. If you bought new socks for some reason, cat’s birthday, Bastille day, then the drink will be for no reason, just because I think. The "what to drink" problem has disappeared on its own.
Reasons to drink
They are completely different. They drink because:
- Difficulties in life: suffering or death of loved ones;
- Financial problems have not been resolved: they have been fired and it is impossible to find a new one; loans or mortgages are "strangled", etc. ;
- No rest at home: Wife saw, mother-in-law did not rest, neighbors grinded their teeth. . ;
- Forced by someone
- Don't want to be different from others;
- For some people, this is a sign of adulthood;
- Some people just relax in this way;
- Eliminate his shyness.
It is worth noting that everyone's alcohol addiction starts to be different. Someone can start from 15-16 years old. Others start from 25-30 years old.
In addition, drinking alcohol becomes a habit, without which one cannot feel relaxed at all. In alcohol, we start to drown our problems because drunks don't care about what is happening around them. And alreadyBeing sober becomes a disease. . . because it is not good for a sober person to accept the world and fully perceive the situation. Alcohol has become a kind of "medicine" that can only cure our illusions.
Stages of alcoholism
There are several stages of alcoholism:
- The first stage of alcoholism: It's uncomfortable to drink by myself, but how can I refuse a bottle from my friend? There are very important things tomorrow that are not important. The first stage is likely to be cured without external help. Desires and efforts for oneself are very important;
- The second stage of alcoholism: When a person drank a lot but not drunk. Without alcohol, a person cannot exist at all. This is the beginning of physical addiction;
- The third stage of alcoholism: It is different from the second one. When you have a drink, you can hardly stand up. And this situation is permanent. You urgently need medication.
the most important thing, You must understand that alcohol dependence does not happen overnight. It involves a gradual and complex process that takes place in a brain area called the "reward center". In the same place, regulating and enhancing the natural needs that are vital to our survival. This is why the addicted brain will pursue alcohol and other drugs as if these substances are necessary for our survival. This is why people with active addiction place 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 susceptible to alcoholism than others. In all cases, it is important to understand that no one chooses to drink alcohol. Two people may start drinking, one is addicted to alcohol, and the other has no symptoms.
Also remember that addicted people can never use alcohol or other addictive drugs without endangering their health. Their brain chemistry has changed and can be rebalanced through rehabilitation, but this balance is still fragile when used again.
Ways and Methods to Quit Alcohol
An effective method you can use to fight alcohol. Don't postpone it until tomorrow. Start now.
Then follow all the methods described below, and you can stop drinking once and for all!
The first way to stop drinking: "Frighten yourself"
Although they say that reading articles about the dangers of alcohol is useless, it is of no avail, but no one reads it carefully after all. If you feel that you want to drink more and more, please don't be lazy and re-read our article. It's best to keep it for yourself. And read the information about the dangers of alcohol. Spend 15 minutes a day reading small articles. So let's say, intimidate yourself and always remember the dangers of alcohol. Think of your liver, think of your youth, think of your beauty. And the difficulty of fighting alcoholism. Especially if you do it yourself.
The second way to stop drinking: "Become an actor in your movie"
Another very interesting way to consider quitting drinking is to photograph yourself when you are drunk. Just put a camera or ask someone. Usually, not everyone can see their drunken adventures even during the shooting. And shame is a sign that distinguishes people from animals. You will also understand how difficult it is for the one you love.
The third method of abstinence: "Looking for ecological alternatives"
It is very important to find a way to relax and replace alcohol with something else. Exercise, dance, sing and find your talents. Assure yourself that it is important for you to stop drinking. We want to have a drink in the evening, but we are jogging in the fresh air. Or go to the gym.
The main thing is that this is an environmentally friendly solution and must not replace alcohol, for example, pills. Everyone has willpower, you just need to find it in yourself, instead of replacing alcohol with another substance that blinds your mind, but replacing alcohol with something that makes you happy.
The fourth way to stop drinking: "Clean up your friends list and update your social circle. "
If there are drinking people in your social circle, they keep pushing you, don't communicate with such friends. Understand that these are not friends, and remember the lyrics of the song "Friends won't tell you, drink to the end". The drunkard’s social circle is a black hole, and it’s hard to get out by yourself every time you drink a bottle of wine. With every bottle you drink, you take a step to be alone.
In addition, today there are many opportunities to update your social circle: parks, gyms, hobby clubs. . .
The fifth way to stop drinking: "Be your own personal accountant"
Keep a diary and record your alcohol consumption. And write down how much you did not spend on this useless swill today.
Go to the store and use the money to buy yourself a gift, such as high-end clothes or a new mobile phone. Reward yourself to stop drinking! Better yet, save. See how much you can have in a month and what you can buy instead of alcohol.
The sixth way to stop beating: "Memory won't make you drunk"
Over time, you will learn to control yourself, and the symbolic New Year champagne will not require a liter of vodka. You already know your limits: after you drink a few sips, you will want to drink more and more, or which cup is not worth drinking.
Be sure to remember how you call "Gin out of the toilet" the next morning after drinking. In your opinion, your head will now burst due to pain, which is ideal for you. By the way, if you have a hangover after heavy drinking, this is a very loud ringtone, and it already calls you a drunkard.
The seventh way to quit drinking completely: "A friend of alcohol is a cigarette"
We decide to quit drinking, then we should quit smoking. If this habit is on your list of harmful habits. After all, a cigarette requires a drink, and after a cup, a bite seems more "delicious". But this is an illusion. A lot has been said about the dangers of smoking, and it is not worth mentioning here.
Method 8: "Analyze their behavior"
Don't blame yourself for loving this green snake in any way. And feel free to talk about not drinking. Sometimes you just need to analyze everything that happens to you in life. When you drink, when you have a hangover, when you have the urge to drink.
You can even split a piece of paper in half and write down in one column what good wine has brought me, and in the other column what trouble it has caused. I bet that the better columns are unlikely to fill up. But to analyze the impact of alcohol on your life, data is enough.
Close people make us mature people!
Ninth Way: "Close to Relatives"
It is very important to admit that you are addicted. There is no need to shout in every corner to introduce yourself: "Hello, my name is Vasya, I am an alcoholic" No! Only admit it to yourself. Then, if you want, you can initiate your relatives, your wife, parents, children, and people with whom you often live or communicate, so that they know your intention to quit drinking.
And the locals will never tell you whether you are a fool or a lunatic. They are very close, can help, and most importantly, understandable. At the beginning of the journey to get rid of drinking habits, the support of loved ones is crucial. Don't be afraid to tell, it is more dangerous to quit rather than quit.
The tenth way to fight against alcoholism: "Provocation is a failure"
There is an unshakable rule. If one decides not to drink, there is no need to irritate oneself. For example, don't go to a store with wine, or at least avoid a department with attractive wine bottles.
Try first until you develop the habit of not drinking alcohol and not participating in alcoholic activities. Skip the birthday of a friend or the baptism of a nephew. You can skip this important event, and then you will catch up with your sober attention to them.
The road to liberation requires sacrifices, but these sacrifices are insignificant compared to the sacrifices that can be made by continuing to drink.
Eleventh way: "Eat dinner by yourself. . . "
A very important aspect of the fight against alcoholism is to eat enough. Yes Yes. After all, most of the time you want to drink on an empty stomach, so try to eat a hearty dinner when you come home from get off work in the evening. The idea of drinking will definitely fade.
Greatly:"Stress is the reason to drink"
Try to avoid stressful situations. This is of course difficult to do in our time, but it is possible. Now on the Internet, you can find many ways to get rid of depression, such as meditation. Not everyone can get them, but it's worth a try. Remember a truth for yourself, alcohol cannot solve problems, alcohol will add new problems!
When a person refuses to drink, it is as if he has lost something. Emptiness and discomfort appear. At these moments, it is necessary to find something to do for yourself, which can be said to fill the void. For example, instead of using bottles and glasses for evening dates, go to the movies to watch evening shows. Buy a ticket to a rock concert and shout out there. By the way, the way of shouting is very effective. They go home in a fit of anger, and they don’t even have the strength to drink, because life is completely "shit". They shut themselves in the bathroom or room and shout, loudly, or even interrupt your voice. , But go ahead. Life will no longer appear so unfair. And it is very likely that during the screaming, you will find the right way to solve some problems.
If you want, you can consult a psychologist or an anesthesiologist. In these moments of throwing, expert help is usually very important. A good doctor can even find out the cause of your addiction, and find out the root cause of everything that started. This is an important fact to get rid of alcohol addiction.
There are many documents on the topics of "how to abstain from drinking", "the way to sober" or "the way to abstain from drinking". Read them. Maybe they won't produce the desired effect, but they certainly won't cause harm. It is best to read these recommendations at night, rather than fill your questions with suspicious liquids.
Greatly:"Look at yourself like a mirror"
Try to put yourself in the perspective of those who suffer from your antics when you are drunk. Imagine, for example, your wife or husband replacing you. Your significant other is drunk and misbehaving. If it is at a party, then you should at least be ashamed of your couple. Or if drunk at home, he or she made a scandal? Interfere with sleep? Are you satisfied with this?
Now imagine your child sees you in this state. As a child, would you like to see your mom or dad pretending to be a Neanderthal? Almost no one will answer yes. Now imagine that you are sitting at your workplace and your colleague at the table next to you smells of oily smoke, or even worse, a "fresh" taste. Or if you come to the doctor, he sat with a headache after eating yesterday and didn't know how to treat you. Or a drunk teacher is teaching your child?
Imagine how you would respond when alcohol causes discomfort to you, the people who use it, and its consequences.
Folk ways to fight alcohol: is it better to use them or to be afraid of them?
But in any case, don't take measures that may harm your health. Many people, in order to give up drinking, go to their grandmothers and let them "whisper" and "talk" from the habit of drinking. If your grandmother just whispers to you, if she gives you herbs or tinctures, that's great. . . you can go from being an alcoholic patient to a poisoned patient. If you really feel that you cannot cope with it, please contact an anesthesiologist, who will prescribe the correct treatment and will not harm your health.
Be sure to analyze your life when you drink and your life when you don’t drink this week. Or there is no wine this year. Believe me, the time without alcohol is more colorful, fun and happier than the time without alcohol. At least try to put this theory into practice. If you don't like life without alcohol products, you can always go back to hangovers, power outages, failures, debts. . . alas, there is alcohol for sale here.
The main question is: Is it realistic to stop drinking?
Millions of people around the world have proven that rehabilitation is more powerful than alcohol dependence. They prove that the treatment is effective, the family is getting better and the life is getting better.
Like other chronic diseases, addiction to alcohol or other drugs can be successfully resolved. This will enable you to live a full and fulfilling life.
If you find it difficult to cope with it, please contact the drug rehabilitation center. Most people who participated in the treatment plan not only stopped using alcohol or other drugs, but also improved their professional, social, and mental health.