If a drunkard wonders how to stop drinking alcohol on his own, then this is already the first step towards fighting alcohol addiction. A psychiatrist-narcologist shares his professional experience on how to help a person solve this problem and achieve success in an 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 in its first stage, when only a psychological dependence on alcohol is 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 stage of alcoholism, the patient does not even face the question of how to stop drinking on his own. He is no longer able to adequately assess the situation, the desire for alcohol becomes irresistible, has a physiological nature and is complicated by the development of a number of mental, neurological and somatic disorders. In this case, you will have to resort to compulsory treatment for alcoholism.
Therefore, it is important not to ignore the first signs of the development of alcohol addiction, analyze the situation and aim to overcome the desire for alcohol. A person should be careful of the following points:
Change from occasional drinking to regular drinking. If you used to drink only on holidays and no more than once a week, but now you regularly drink in "warm" company every Friday after the end of the working week, you should think and try to stop this dangerous tradition. Harmless alcoholic Friday gatherings may soon be followed by Saturday libations, Sunday hangovers and the development of weekend alcoholism. And this is a direct path to intense alcoholism of the body with all the negative consequences that follow for mental and physical health, problems with loved ones and work.
Increased volume of alcohol consumed and difficulty in 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 intoxication.
Changing social circle and leisure time. Old friends become uninteresting, the addict prefers the company of drinking friends, the former hobby is replaced by searches 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 tolerance to alcohol, when an increasing amount of alcohol is needed to achieve the effect. It is manifested in the fact that the patient can drink a lot of alcohol without apparent intoxication and subsequent hangover. Many even boast of this "superpower" of theirs, not suspecting that this is a sign of the progress of 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 our daily lives. Any holiday or sad date, even a small event, can become a reason to celebrate with alcohol.
Difficulty communicating with loved ones, friends and work colleagues. Without the usual dose of alcohol, a person becomes nervous, suspicious, anxious, aggressive, his autonomic nervous system suffers, and insufficient mental reactions to the actions and words of others appear.
In addition, it is possible that ethyl alcohol can have a negative effect on the liver, manifested in nausea, vomiting and digestive problems. In practice, damage can occur to any organ, especially those that are initially affected by some disease. For example, in hypertensive patients, blood pressure problems worsen; with weakened pancreatic function, alcoholic pancreatitis may develop; the kidneys suffer due to the persistent diuretic and toxic effects of alcohol.
What should be the favorable psychological atmosphere to solve the problem of how to stop drinking alcohol on your own?
To paraphrase this question, we can formulate it this way: how to stop drinking alcohol yourself at home? Of course, this can only be done in a favorable psychological environment at home and at work. The main thing that is required from others is:
Minimizing all temptations. You should not mention alcohol in conversations about parties and corporate events, keep a supply of it at home, combine vacations and picnics with drinking alcoholic beverages and visit wine and vodka stores. It is also necessary to avoid the company of drinks.
It is obligatory to reward the achievements of a drunkard, even if he abstained from drinking for only one day. The difficult path of self-healing from alcoholism requires the full help of his family and friends.
Maximum involvement of the addict in family leisure, collective events for a healthy lifestyle. These include playing with children, family walks and trips to nature, sports, walking with friends who do not drink alcohol. You can even get a pet, especially a dog, that needs to be walked regularly, and thus teach 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 get pleasure from a previously favorite activity, simple human communication, the beauty of nature and breathing fresh air without the mixture of smoke fumes. alcohol.
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 begin to quit drinking on your own, outline an action plan that analyzes the causes of your addiction. Before doing this, it is still advisable to consult a psychiatrist-narcologist, who will show you the most optimal way to get rid of a dangerous addiction. You may be able to stop drinking immediately and permanently, or it may be better for you to gradually reduce your alcohol intake. Try to strictly follow the developed plan regarding the amount and frequency of drinking alcohol. At the same time, the number of measured days per week should be greater than the number of "drunk" days.
To control the entire process of self-healing, keep a diary in which you carefully record what you drink, note 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 courageously refused this opportunity.
You can visualize your desires by hanging posters throughout your apartment with catchy phrases about the dangers of alcohol, photos of yourself before and after alcohol abuse, drawings or photographs on the theme of your ideas about happiness - a family photo with happy faces ofloved ones, a car model you would like 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. Drinking buddies will never be your allies.
Don't relax with alcohol on weekends; it is better to get your dose of pleasure while communicating 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 own strength and ability will help you cope with any stress and increase your sense of self-sufficiency.
Do a job or hobby that you enjoy. 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 bait at the sporting goods store. Do not save money on this, believe me, a bottle of vodka will not cost less, but will do much more harm.
Try to discuss your problem with those people around you who have already given up alcohol. Don't hesitate to ask him for advice; usually such people are willing to share their successes and methods of treating alcohol addiction with their fellow sufferers.
Adjust your daily routine, get enough sleep and eat properly. Avoid foods that used to be a favorite snack while drinking - spicy, salty, dry, etc. For example, dried goby can be a trigger for drinking beer.
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 the remains of alcohol and its breakdown products from the body.
Don't tire yourself out by praising yourself for each sober day or resisting 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 constant offers to drink. Of course, you can't 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 an ardent alcoholic. Then society will definitely turn its back on you.
Keep in mind that it is not always possible to achieve a positive result on the first test. But this should not stop you from trying to get rid of alcohol addiction. The key to quitting drinking for good is method and persistence. Do not be disappointed in any case; in any case, on the second or third attempt you will be able to lead a completely sober lifestyle. You may need professional psychological support, but this is only if you have a weak will and some kind of unstable nervous system. Accept help in any form - there's nothing wrong with it, you'll just have a wider range of effective ways to independently recover from addiction.