If a drunkard wonders how to stop drinking alcohol on his own, then this is already the first step towards curbing alcohol addiction. The psychiatrist-narcologist 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 the development of alcoholism, then it is possible to stop drinking forever in its first stage, when only psychological dependence on alcohol is formed. In the second phase, the problem is aggravated and complicated by the integration of ethyl alcohol into metabolic processes with the emergence 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 last stage of alcoholism, the patient does not even face the question of how to stop drinking alcohol on his own. He is no longer able to adequately assess the situation, the craving for alcohol becomes overwhelming, has a physiological nature and is complicated by the development of a series of mental, neurological and somatic disorders. In that case, you will have to resort to mandatory treatment for alcoholism.
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 about the following points:
Switch from occasional to regular drinking. If you used to drink only on holidays and no more than once a week, and now you regularly drink in "warm" company every Friday after the end of the work week, think about it and try to break this dangerous tradition. The harmless Friday socials of alcoholics may soon be followed by Saturday libations, Sunday hangovers and the development of weekend alcoholism. And that is a direct path to intense alcoholization of the body with all the negative consequences that result from it for mental and physical health, problems with loved ones and at work.
Increased amount of alcohol consumed and difficulty in control. Lack of sense of proportion does not allow a person to stop drinking alcohol in time and becomes the cause of severe alcohol intoxication.
Change in social circle and free time. Old friends become uninteresting, the addict prefers the company of friends who drink, former 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 to stage 2 alcoholism is an increase in alcohol tolerance, when an increasing amount of alcohol is required to achieve an effect. This is manifested in the fact that the patient can drink a lot of alcohol without obvious intoxication and a subsequent hangover. Many even brag about this "superpower" of theirs, not realizing that it is a sign of progressing alcohol addiction.
Celebrating only with alcohol and inventing new reasons to drink. The most typical is stress relief, for which there are more than enough reasons in everyday life. Any holiday or sad date, even a minor event, can become a reason to celebrate with alcohol.
Difficulty communicating with loved ones, friends and colleagues at work. Without the usual dose of alcohol, a person becomes irritable, suspicious, restless, aggressive, his autonomic nervous system suffers and there are inadequate psychological reactions to the actions and words of others.
In addition, it is possible that ethyl alcohol has a negative effect on the liver, which manifests itself in nausea, vomiting and digestive problems. In practice, any organ can be damaged, especially those that were initially affected by a disease. For example, blood pressure problems worsen in hypertensive patients, alcoholic pancreatitis can develop with impaired pancreatic function, kidneys suffer due to the constant diuretic and toxic effects of alcohol.
What kind of psychological atmosphere should be suitable for solving the problem of how to stop drinking alcohol on your own?
To paraphrase this question, we can formulate it like this: how to stop drinking alcohol alone at home? Of course, this can only be done in a favorable psychological environment at home and at work. The main thing that is asked of others is:
Minimizing all temptations. You should not mention alcohol in conversations about parties and corporate events, keep it at home, combine vacations and picnics with drinking alcoholic beverages, visit wine shops and vodka stores. It is also necessary to avoid company with drinks.
It is obligatory to reward the achievements of the drinker, even if he abstained from drinking for only one day. The difficult journey of self-healing from alcoholism requires the full help of his family and friends.
Maximum involvement of addicts in family free time, collective events for a healthy lifestyle. This includes games with children, family walks and trips to nature, sports, hiking with friends who don't drink. You can even get a pet, especially a dog, that needs to be walked regularly, thus teaching the drunkard self-discipline and a sense of responsibility.
The creation of such an atmosphere will contribute to the return of the taste for life without alcohol, the ability to enjoy a previously favorite activity, simple human communication, the beauty of nature and a breath of fresh air without admixture 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 quit drinking on your own, make an action plan that analyzes the causes of your addiction. Before doing so, it is still advisable to consult 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 permanently, or you may be better off reducing your alcohol intake gradually. Try to strictly follow the plan made regarding the amount and frequency of drinking alcohol. At the same time, the number of sober days per week should be greater than the number of "drunk" days.
In order to control the entire process of self-healing, keep a diary in which you conscientiously take care of what you drink, record all your achievements and moments of stressful situations. Pay special attention to situations in which you had the desire to solve problems with the help of alcohol, and how you bravely refused this opportunity.
You can visualize your desires by hanging posters with phrases about the dangers of alcohol, photos of you before and after alcohol abuse, drawings or photos on the theme of your ideas about happiness - family photos with happy faces of loved ones, the model of the car you want to buy. , a piece of paradise outside the city, the admiration of work colleagues, etc.
Avoid companies where alcohol is an essential part of the entertainment. Friends will never be your allies.
Do not relax with alcohol on weekends, it is better to get your dose of pleasure in communication with loved ones or on the sports field. Physical activity stimulates the production of the hormone of happiness, which can completely replace the alcoholic euphoria. Feeling confident in your strength and fitness will help you cope with any stress and increase your sense of self-sufficiency.
Do a job or hobby you love. This will benefit your intellect and take your mind off the constant thoughts of drinking. Do something nice 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 lure at the sporting goods store. Don't skimp on this, trust me, a bottle of vodka won't cost less, but it will do a lot more damage.
Try to talk about your problem with people around you who have already given up alcohol. Don't hesitate to ask them for advice; usually such people are willing to share their successes and methods of overcoming alcohol addiction with their fellow sufferers.
Adjust your daily routine, get enough sleep and eat properly. Avoid foods that used to be a favorite drink snack - spicy, salty, dried, etc. For example, dried mushrooms can be a trigger for drinking beer.
The morning and the process of waking up should always be pleasant - the usual sweet "stretches", invigorating water treatments, delicious breakfast, favorite music and even "hugs" with your faithful dog.
Drink a lot of water - it will intensively remove the remains of alcohol and the products of its decomposition from the body.
Don't get tired of praising yourself for every sober day or resisting the temptation to drink. "Oh, well done! " This will help create a positive emotional background and increase self-confidence.
Also, learn to say no to persistent drink offers. Of course, you cannot completely abandon parties or corporate events, the conditions of modern life often require such communication. Just remember that you don't have to drink alcohol just because it's offered to you. Be diplomatic, polite, but firm in your refusal to drink. Do not be afraid to look like a black sheep, because it is better than depending on the next dose of alcohol and turning into a passionate 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 that shouldn't stop you from trying to get rid of your alcohol addiction. The key to permanently quitting alcohol is method and persistence. Don't be disappointed by any means; 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 is only if you have weak willpower and an unstable type of nervous system. Accept help in any form - there's nothing wrong with that, you'll just have a wider field of effective ways to recover from addiction on your own.