If a drinker is wondering how to stop drinking alcohol on his own, this is already the first step in combating alcohol addiction. The narcologist psychiatrist shares his professional experience on how to help a person solve this problem and achieve success in the independent fight against the green snake.
Is it always possible to stop drinking on your own and how not to miss this opportunity?
If we talk about the stages of development of alcoholism, then it is possible to stop drinking forever at its first stage, when only a psychological dependence on alcohol has been formed. In the second stage, the problem is aggravated and complicated by the integration of ethyl alcohol into metabolic processes with the formation of physical dependence. It is possible for the patient to stop drinking alcohol at this stage, but it is extremely difficult. In the third and final phase of alcoholism, the patient does not even ask himself the question of how to stop drinking alcohol on his own. No longer able to adequately assess the situation, the craving for alcohol becomes irresistible, has a physiological character and is complicated by the development of a number of mental, neurological and somatic disorders. In this case, mandatory treatment for alcoholism will have to be resorted to.
Therefore, it is important not to ignore the first signs of alcohol addiction, analyze the situation and aim to overcome the craving for alcohol. A person should be careful with the following points:
Switch from occasional drinking to regular drinking. If you previously drank only on holidays and no more than once a week, but now you regularly drink in "hot" company every Friday after the end of the working week, you should think about it and try to stop this dangerous tradition. Harmless Friday alcohol gatherings could soon be followed by Saturday libations, Sunday hangovers, and the development of weekend alcoholism. And this is a direct path to intense alcoholization of the body with all the ensuing negative consequences for physical and mental health, problems with loved ones and work.
Increase in the volume of alcohol consumed and difficulty controlling it. The lack of a sense of proportion does not allow a person to stop drinking alcohol in time and becomes the cause of severe alcohol poisoning.
Change of social circle and free time. Old friends lose interest, the addict prefers the company of drinking friends, old hobbies are replaced by the search for ways to satisfy a more attractive alcoholic hobby.
A rather ominous sign of the beginning of the transition from stage 1 of alcoholism to stage 2 is an increase in alcohol tolerance, when an increasing amount of alcohol is needed to achieve the effect. It manifests itself in the fact that the patient can drink a lot of alcohol without obvious intoxication and without a subsequent hangover. Many even boast about this "superpower" of theirs, without suspecting that this is a sign of progression of alcohol addiction.
Celebrate only with alcohol and invent new reasons to drink. The most typical is stress relief, for which there are plenty of reasons in our daily lives. Any holiday or sad date, even a minor event, can become a reason to celebrate with alcohol.
Difficulty communicating with loved ones, friends and co-workers. Without the usual dose of alcohol, a person becomes irritable, suspicious, restless, aggressive, his autonomic nervous system suffers, and inadequate mental reactions appear to the actions and words of others.
In addition, it is possible that ethyl alcohol has a negative effect on the liver, manifested in nausea, vomiting and digestive problems. In practice, damage can occur to any organ, especially those that were initially affected by a disease. For example, in hypertensive patients, problems with blood pressure worsen; with weakened pancreatic function, alcoholic pancreatitis may develop; The kidneys suffer due to the constant diuretic and toxic effects of alcohol.
What should be the psychological environment conducive to solving the problem of how to stop drinking alcohol on your own?
Paraphrasing this question, we can formulate it this way: how to stop drinking alcohol on your own at home? Naturally, this can only be done in a favorable psychological environment at home and at work. The main thing that is demanded of others is:
Minimizing all temptations. Alcohol should not be mentioned in conversations about parties and corporate events, having a supply at home, combining vacations and picnics with the consumption of alcoholic beverages and visiting wine and vodka stores. It is also necessary to avoid the company of alcoholic beverages.
It is mandatory to reward a drinker's achievements, even if he has abstained from drinking for only one day. The difficult path of self-healing from alcoholism requires the full assistance of your family and friends.
Maximum involvement of the addict in family leisure, collective events for a healthy lifestyle. These include games with children, family walks and excursions to nature, sports and walks with non-drinking friends. You can even acquire a pet, especially a dog, who needs to be walked regularly and thus teach the drinker self-discipline and a sense of responsibility.
The creation of such an atmosphere will contribute to the return of a taste for life without alcohol, the ability to receive joy from a previously favorite activity, simple human communication, the beauty of nature and a breath of fresh air without the mixture of alcohol vapors .
What are your specific recommendations on how to stop drinking?
I can offer the following practical advice on how to stop drinking alcohol:
Before you start to stop drinking on your own, make an action plan that analyzes the causes of your addiction. Before doing this, it is advisable to consult with a psychiatrist-narcologist, who will tell you the most optimal way to get rid of a dangerous addiction. You may be able to stop drinking immediately and for good, or you may be better off gradually reducing your alcohol dose. Try to strictly follow the developed plan regarding the amount and frequency of alcohol consumption. At the same time, the number of sober days per week should be greater than the number of "drunk" days.
To monitor the entire self-healing process, keep a diary in which you scrupulously record what you drink, write down all your achievements and moments of stressful situations. Pay special attention to situations when you wanted to solve problems with the help of alcohol and how you courageously rejected this opportunity.
You can visualize your wishes by hanging posters around your apartment with phrases about the dangers of alcohol, your photos before and after alcohol abuse, drawings or photographs on the topic of your ideas about happiness: a family photo with the happy faces of your beloved. a car model that you would like to buy, a piece of paradise outside the city, admiring your co-workers, etc.
Avoid companies where alcohol is an essential part of the hobby. Drinking buddies will never be your allies.
Do not relax with alcohol on weekends, it is better to get your dose of pleasure by communicating with loved ones or on the sports field. Physical activity promotes the production of the hormone of happiness, which can completely replace alcoholic euphoria. Feeling confident in your strength and fitness will help you cope with stress and increase your sense of self-sufficiency.
Do a job or hobby that you love. This will benefit your intellect and distract you from constant thoughts about drinking. Do something good for yourself at least 3 times a day; For example, buy your favorite fruit at the market, buy an interesting book at the bookstore, buy a new hook or fishing bait at the sporting goods store. Don't waste money on this, believe me, a bottle of vodka won't cost you less, but it will do much more harm.
He tries to discuss his problem with those people around him who have already given up alcohol. Don't hesitate to ask them for advice; These people are usually willing to share their successes and methods of dealing with alcohol addiction with their peers.
Adjust your daily routine, get enough sleep and eat well. Avoid foods that were previously your favorite snack: spicy, salty, dry, etc. For example, dried gobies can be a trigger to drink beer.
The morning and the process of waking up should always be pleasant: the usual sweet "stretches", invigorating water treatments, a delicious breakfast, favorite music and even "cuddles" with your faithful dog.
Drink plenty of water: it will intensively remove traces of alcohol and its degradation products from the body.
Don't get tired of praising yourself for each sober day or refraining from the temptation to drink. "Oh well done! "This will help create a positive emotional background and increase self-confidence.
And also learn to say no to persistent offers to drink. Naturally, parties or corporate events cannot be completely abandoned, the conditions of modern life often require such communication. Just keep in mind that you don't have to drink alcohol just because it is offered to you. Be diplomatic, polite, but firm in your refusal to drink. Don't be afraid to look like a black sheep, because it's better than depending on the next dose of alcohol and becoming an avid alcoholic. Then society will definitely turn its back on you.
Please note that it is not always possible to achieve a positive result on the first try. But this should not stop you from trying to get rid of alcohol addiction. The key to stopping drinking alcohol permanently is method and perseverance. Do not be disappointed in any case, in any case, on the second or third try you will be able to lead a completely sober lifestyle. You may need professional psychological support, but this only if you have weak willpower and an unstable type of nervous system. Accept help in any form - there is nothing wrong with it, you will simply have a broader field of effective ways to recover from addiction independently.