There is no single piece of advice on what to do to get a person to 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 give up alcohol
The fight against alcohol addiction begins the moment a person realizes that he is sick.Many alcoholics are sure that they can quit smoking at any time and deny the existence of addiction, but in fact they continue to drink.And it's not that people lack the will.They simply cannot adequately assess the damage they are causing to themselves, their health, and their relationships with others.
For such people, the advice of loved ones or the arguments of specialists are empty words.Even if they are convinced to undergo treatment, everything will end, at best, in a short-term abstinence from alcohol, and then the situation will return to the previous course.
So, the basis for the successful treatment of alcoholism is the understanding of the problem by the alcoholic 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 appearance.The analysis will help you understand which aspects you should pay special attention to during the treatment process.There are several main factors that cause the development of alcoholism.This is the influence of the environment, many stresses, habit, hereditary predisposition.
More often, a person, after reflection, can determine the main factor that led to alcohol addiction.A psychotherapist can also help with this.
How did it all start?
It will be helpful to remember how the addiction began.This will also help in the proper structuring of 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 a new job celebrate all the holidays marked on the calendar.Or maybe alcohol helped to forget the frequent family quarrels.
Gradually, the habit becomes more and more ingrained and now alcohol is consumed more and more often and on weekends the dose doubles.
The state of affairs today
Most often, people realize that it is time to stop drinking when the addiction is already strong enough.A person drinks almost every day, the amount of alcohol increases, the body gradually begins to malfunction, family relationships deteriorate and problems begin at work.
One of these factors or a combination of them may play a dominant role in a person's decision to give up alcohol.The decisive factor may be the woman's request for divorce, layoff or a sharp deterioration in 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 practically does not matter what exactly a person refuses.Stopping wine is as difficult as stopping 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 been formed, then at first the person will suffer from poor health.Thus, the body will require the usual dose of ethanol, which it has already managed to integrate into metabolic processes.
In addition, studies have proven that some time after a person stops drinking, he begins to experience mental disorders (increased anxiety, irritability, a sharp deterioration in mood).Symptoms like these are one of the main reasons why many people relapse.The main thing is to be patient and get through the withdrawal period.
How to stop drinking properly?
There are two main ways to stop drinking.The first, as the mildest, suggests giving up alcohol gradually.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.
The second method involves a sharp and complete cessation of alcohol.The advantage of the method can be considered its high efficiency due to the lack of relaxing factors in the form of an authorized dose.Disadvantages include a high probability of developing withdrawal symptoms.The method is not recommended for people who are in an excessive drink.
It is strongly recommended that the choice of technique be entrusted to a narcologist, who will make a decision based on the patient's condition.
Eliminating the causes of alcoholism
Having identified the factors that caused the development of addiction, those who quit smoking should eliminate them in order to quit 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 possibility of stressful situations to a minimum.
If the main reason for drinking is the company of persistent friends, you need to change your social circle.The usual evening spent with a bottle on the couch in front of the TV can be replaced with a walk or going to the gym.
Help from a narcologist, taking medications
One of the most effective ways to stop drinking alcohol is to take special medications.According to the principle of operation, they are divided into three groups:
- elimination of hangover symptoms;
- reduction of alcohol cravings;
- causing aversion to alcohol.
These tools are good enough to help overcome addiction, especially in the early stages, but there are situations when coding is necessary (in particular, if the disease is advanced).
Recently, in addition to medications, dietary supplements are also gaining popularity that reduce the desire for alcohol and help you stop drinking.
Help from a psychotherapist
Those who want to quit drinking without coding should consult 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 you should not hope that a 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 are trying to get rid of addiction will be very useful.It is much easier to force yourself to stop drinking alcohol when you know 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 techniques, useful thoughts, share their achievements and mistakes.
Physical activity
Physical activity stimulates the production of endorphins - hormones of happiness.For a person who quits drinking, physical activity will not only help to raise the mood, but also to be in shape, improve health and tighten muscles.
The main thing is to act step by step and not to overload an already weakened body.A good place to start is swimming, jogging, rollerblading, skating or cycling.You can go to the gym or go to yoga.
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.
Alcohol and nicotine addiction are particularly common.After drinking alcohol, it is difficult to do without smoking, and smoking gives rise to a common desire to drink for many people.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 give up drinking forever using only folk remedies, but they will be an excellent addition to other methods to get rid of addiction.
The following herbs are known to be most effective in treating alcoholism:
- hoofweed;
- lovage;
- sage brush;
- centaury;
- thyme;
- St. John's wort.
Decoctions and infusions of these plants cause aversion to alcoholic beverages.Some of the plants listed have a very strong effect, so they should be used carefully, following the recipe and the dosage indicated.It is better not to self-medicate, but to consult a doctor.
What are the benefits of quitting alcohol?
Recovery from alcoholism helps restore lost health, normalize the functioning of internal organs and improve the condition of the nervous system.In addition, a person who decides to give up alcohol lowers the level of stress, improves relationships with people and restores damaged social ties.
health
After a person stops drinking alcohol, a certain time passes until all toxic substances are completely eliminated from the body.Then the recovery process will begin, which will take a long time, but the first results can be seen quite quickly.
After quitting alcohol:
- immunity becomes stronger, a person gets sick less often and easier;
- the functioning of internal organs (liver, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys) improves;
- 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 effect on your personal life.The option appears:
- restore family and friendships;
- gain peace of mind and self-confidence;
- engage in self-realization;
- find new goals in life.
Friends
After giving up alcohol consumption, a person's social life also changes and he gradually returns to society.This can be expressed as follows:
- the appearance of new acquaintances;
- the opportunity to get a new promising job or promotion;
- topics for communication with people not related to alcohol gradually appear;
- the person again feels like a full, respected member of society.
How to refuse to drink in society?
All those who quit drinking sooner or later face the question of how to stop drinking in society.It is important to understand that your health comes first and there is nothing strange or shameful about saying no when asked to drink.This should be done politely, but confidently, so that the proposer understands and accepts the answer.If someone continues to insist, despite the express refusal, you should exclude communication with such individuals.
You can motivate your decision and avoid unnecessary questions under the pretext of taking antibiotics, rapid testing or needing 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 a person is quitting drinking and will not offer him alcohol.
CONCLUSION
A person makes the decision to stop being an alcoholic on their own;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 resolutely pursue your goal.The main thing to remember is that there will definitely be a safe way to get rid of the addiction.