There is no one-size-fits-all advice on what to do to help a person stop drinking.Each organism and each situation is unique, which means that the solution in each specific case will be unique.
Awareness of the problem of the need to abstain from alcohol
The fight against alcohol addiction begins the moment a person realizes that he is ill.Many alcoholics are convinced that they can stop at any time and deny the existence of addiction, but in fact they continue to drink.And it's not even that people lack willpower.They simply cannot adequately assess the damage they are doing to themselves, their health, and their relationships with others.
For such people, the admonitions of loved ones or the arguments of experts are empty words.Even if you persuade them to seek treatment, everything will end, in the best case, with short-term abstinence from alcohol, and then the situation will return to the previous course.
Therefore, the basis for successful treatment of alcoholism is the alcoholic's understanding of the problem and his strong desire to change his life.
Finding the reason
It is much easier to fight addiction if you know the cause of its occurrence.The analysis will help you understand which aspects you need to pay special attention to during the treatment process.There are several main factors that cause the development of alcoholism.It is the influence of the environment, numerous stresses, habit, hereditary predisposition.
Most often, a person, after thinking, can determine for himself the main factor that led to alcohol addiction.A psychotherapist can also help with this.
How did it all begin?
It will be helpful to remember how the addiction began.This will also help to properly structure further therapy.Maybe it all started with a few bottles of beer in the evening to relax after a hard day at work.Or colleagues at the new workplace celebrate all the holidays marked in the calendar.Or maybe the alcohol helped to forget the frequent family quarrels.
Gradually, the habit becomes more and more entrenched, and now alcohol is consumed more often, and the dose is doubled on weekends.
Today's situation
People usually realize that it is time to stop drinking when the addiction is already quite strong.A person drinks almost every day, the amount of alcohol increases, the body gradually begins to deteriorate, family relationships deteriorate, and problems begin at work.
One or a combination of these factors may play a dominant role in a person's decision to give up alcohol.The decisive factor can be a woman's request for divorce, dismissal or sudden deterioration of her health.
It is not easy to make such a decision, but it is even more difficult to start acting in the right direction.Moreover, it doesn't really matter what exactly the person refuses.Quitting wine is just as difficult as quitting vodka.
Quitting drinking is not as easy as it seems
Despite what many coaches promise, there is no easy way to stop drinking on your own.Quitting alcohol, especially after prolonged abuse, is always stressful for the body and psyche.
If physical dependence has already occurred, then the person will initially suffer from poor health.Thus, the body will need the usual dose of ethanol, which it has already managed to integrate into metabolic processes.
In addition, studies have shown that some time after a person stops drinking, he begins to feel mental disorders (increasing anxiety, irritation, sudden deterioration of mood).Symptoms like these are one of the main reasons why many people relapse.The main thing is to be patient and go through the withdrawal period.
How to properly stop drinking?
There are two main ways to stop drinking.The first, as a softer one, suggests a gradual withdrawal from alcohol.It consists in the fact that the doses of alcohol are gradually reduced until they become acceptable or reach zero.The advantages of the method include a low probability of withdrawal symptoms.But the big disadvantage is that the risk of failure is very high.
Another method involves a sharp and complete cessation of alcohol.The advantage of the method can be considered its high efficiency due to the absence of relaxing factors in the form of the approved dose.Disadvantages include a high likelihood of developing withdrawal symptoms.The method is not recommended for people who are intoxicated.
It is recommended to entrust the choice of technique to a narcologist, who will make a decision based on the patient's condition.
Eliminating the causes of alcoholism
After identifying the factors that caused the development of addiction, those who have stopped drinking must eliminate them in order to stop drinking alcohol as soon as possible.If alcoholism is caused by constant stress and anxiety, you should try to find a solution to existing problems and reduce the likelihood of stressful situations to a minimum.
If the main reason for drinking is the company of persistent friends, you should change your social circle.The usual evening spent with a bottle on the sofa in front of the TV can be replaced by a walk or going to the gym.
Help from a narcologist, taking medication
One of the most effective ways to stop drinking alcohol is to take special medications.Based on the principle of operation, they are divided into three groups:
- elimination of hangover symptoms;
- reducing the desire for alcohol;
- causing aversion to alcohol.
These tools are quite good at overcoming addiction, especially in the early stages, but there are situations when coding is necessary (especially if the disease is advanced).
Recently, in addition to drugs, dietary supplements that reduce the desire for alcohol and help you stop drinking have become increasingly popular.
The help of a psychotherapist
Those who want to stop drinking without coding should contact a psychotherapist as soon as possible.Many techniques have been developed to free a person from addiction.Some are based on hypnotic influence, while others use the principle of emotional stress therapy.
But one should not hope that one session with a specialist will guarantee a cure.Most likely, you will need a rather long course and, of course, the desire and active work of the patient himself.
Group therapy
Communication with those who find themselves in a similar situation and trying to get rid of addiction will be very useful.It is much easier to force yourself not to drink alcohol when you know that you are not alone and you can always get support from people who understand you like no one else.
Such communication can be found in Alcoholics Anonymous clubs or on special websites on the Internet.There, people exchange useful techniques, opinions, share their achievements and mistakes.
Physical activity
Physical activity stimulates the production of endorphins - hormones of happiness.For a person who stops drinking, physical activity will help not only to lift the mood, but also to get in shape, improve health and tighten muscles.
The main thing is to act step by step and not to overload the already weakened body.A good place to start is swimming, running, rollerblading, skating or cycling.You can go to the gym or do yoga.
A healthy lifestyle
The best way to start a new life is to give up alcohol and other bad habits yourself.Smoking, gambling, gluttony - all these addictions often accompany alcoholism.
Addictions to alcohol and nicotine are especially common.After drinking alcohol, it is difficult not to smoke, and for many people, smoking causes the usual desire to drink.Therefore, to prevent a person from drinking, it is necessary to remove all provoking factors, including cigarettes.
Additional help with folk remedies
It is very difficult to stop drinking forever using only folk remedies, but they will be an excellent addition to other methods of getting rid of addiction.
The following plants are recognized as the most effective in the treatment of alcoholism:
- ungulate;
- lovage;
- sagebrush;
- centaur
- thyme;
- St. John's wort.
Decoctions and infusions of these plants cause an aversion to alcoholic beverages.Some of the mentioned herbs have a very strong effect, so they must be used carefully, respecting the indicated recipe and dosage.It is best not to self-medicate, but to consult a doctor.
What are the benefits of alcohol withdrawal?
Recovery from alcoholism helps restore lost health, normalize the work of internal organs and improve the condition of the nervous system.In addition, a person who decides to give up alcohol reduces stress levels, improves relationships with people and restores damaged social ties.
Health
After a person completely stops drinking alcohol, a certain period of time passes until all toxic substances are completely eliminated from the body.Then the recovery process will begin, which will take quite a long time, but the first results can be seen quite quickly.
After quitting alcohol:
- immunity becomes stronger, the person suffers from diseases less often and more easily;
- the work of internal organs improves (liver, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys);
- the condition of blood vessels improves;
- brain functions are restored;
- the appearance improves (condition of skin, hair, teeth, nails), the person looks younger and healthier.
Personal life
Quitting alcohol also has an extremely positive impact on your personal life.The opportunity appears:
- rebuild family and friendships;
- gain peace of mind and self-confidence;
- engage in self-realization;
- find new goals in life.
Society
After giving up alcohol consumption, a person's social life changes and he gradually returns to society.This can be expressed as:
- appearance of new acquaintances;
- the possibility of getting a new promising job or promotion;
- topics for communication with people who have no connection to alcohol are gradually appearing;
- the person again feels like a full-fledged, respected member of society.
How to refuse drinking in society?
Everyone who stops drinking sooner or later faces the question of how to stop drinking in society.It is important to understand that your health comes first, and that there is nothing strange or shameful about saying no when asked for a drink.This must be done politely but confidently so that the proposer understands and accepts the answer.If someone continues to insist, despite the stated refusal, you should cut off communication with such persons.
You can motivate your decision and avoid unnecessary questions under the pretext of taking antibiotics, a quick test or the need to drive.
It is necessary to learn to firmly refuse alcohol, and over time such offers will come less and less.Moreover, holidays are most often spent in the company of relatives and friends, and these people usually know that the person stops drinking and will not offer him alcohol.
Conclusion
A person makes the decision to stop being an alcoholic;no one can do it for him.But this decision is the first and, perhaps, the most important step on the road to healing.All further difficulties can be overcome if you firmly follow your goal.The main thing to remember is that there will definitely be a safe way to get rid of addiction.