There is no one-size-fits-all 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 ill.Many alcoholics are confident that they can quit at any time and deny the existence of addiction, but in fact they continue to drink.And it's not even that people lack will.They simply cannot adequately appreciate the damage they are doing to themselves, their health, and their relationships with others.
For such people, the advice of relatives or the arguments of specialists are empty words.Even if they are convinced to undergo treatment, everything will end at best with short-term abstinence from alcohol, and then the situation will return to its previous course.
So the basis of successful treatment of alcoholism is the understanding of the problem by the alcoholic and his strong desire to change his life.
Finding the cause
It is much easier to fight addiction if you know the reason for its occurrence.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.
Most often, a person, after reflection, can determine for himself the main factor that led to alcohol addiction.A psychotherapist can help with this.
How did it all start?
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's work.Or colleagues at a new job celebrate all the holidays marked on the calendar.Or maybe alcohol helped to forget about frequent family quarrels.
Gradually, the habit becomes more and more ingrained and alcohol is drunk more and more often, and on weekends the dose doubles.
The state of affairs today
Most often, people come to the understanding 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 function incorrectly, family relations 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 can be the wife's request for a divorce, dismissal 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 alcohol is not as easy as it seems
Despite the promises of many coaches, there is no easy way to stop drinking on your own.Giving up alcohol, especially after prolonged abuse, is always stressful for the body and psyche.
If physical dependence has already 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 prove that some time after a person stops drinking, he begins to experience mental disorders (increasing anxiety, irritability, a sharp deterioration in mood).Symptoms like these are one of the main reasons 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 milder, implies a gradual withdrawal from alcohol.It consists in the fact that 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 huge disadvantage is that the risk of failure is very high.
The second method involves an abrupt 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 a permitted dose.Disadvantages include a high likelihood of developing withdrawal symptoms.The method is not recommended for people who tend to 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
After identifying the factors that led to the development of addiction, those who give up drinking should eliminate them in order to stop drinking alcohol as quickly as possible.If alcoholism is caused by constant stress and anxiety, you should try to find a solution to existing problems and minimize the likelihood of stressful situations.
If the main reason for drinking is the company of stubborn friends, you need to change your social circle.The usual evening entertainment 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 drugs.According to the principle of action, they are divided into three groups:
- eliminate hangover symptoms;
- reducing the desire for alcohol;
- inducing an aversion to alcohol.
These tools are quite good for overcoming addiction, especially in the early stages, but there are situations when coding is indispensable (especially if the disease is advanced).
Recently, in addition to drugs, dietary supplements that reduce the desire for alcohol and help you stop drinking are gaining popularity.
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 rid a person of addiction.Some are based on hypnotic influence, while others use the principle of emotional stress therapy.
But you 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
Communicating with those who are in a similar situation and trying to get rid of addiction will be very helpful.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 promotes the production of endorphins - hormones of happiness.For a person who has given up drinking, physical activity will not only help to lift his mood, but also to get in shape, improve his health and tighten his muscles.
The main thing is to act step by step and not to overload an already weakened body.A good start is swimming, running, rollerblading, skating or cycling.You can go to the gym or to yoga.
A healthy lifestyle
The best way to start a new life is to give up both alcohol and other bad habits yourself.Smoking, gambling, gluttony - all these addictions often accompany alcoholism.
Addiction to alcohol and nicotine is particularly common.After drinking alcohol, it is difficult to do without smoking, and smoking gives rise to a habitual desire to drink for many.Therefore, to prevent a person from drinking, it is necessary to eliminate all provoking factors, including cigarettes.
Additional assistance with public funds
It is very difficult to give up drinking forever using only folk remedies, but they will be an excellent addition to other methods of eliminating addiction.
The following herbs are recognized as the most effective in the treatment of alcoholism:
- hoof grass;
- a lover;
- wormwood;
- centenarian;
- thyme;
- St. John's wort.
Decoctions and infusions of these herbs cause an aversion to alcoholic beverages.Some of the listed plants have a rather strong effect, so they should be used with caution, observing the indicated recipe and dosage.It is best 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 work of internal organs and improve the state 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 bonds.
health
After a person completely stops drinking alcohol, it takes some time until all toxic substances are completely eliminated from the body.After that, the recovery process will begin, which will take a long time, but the first results can be seen quite quickly.
After stopping alcohol:
- immunity becomes stronger, a person gets sick less often and more easily;
- the functioning of internal organs improves (liver, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys);
- the condition of the blood vessels improves;
- brain functions are restored;
- the appearance improves (the condition of the skin, hair, teeth, nails), the person looks younger and healthier.
Personal life
Giving up alcohol has an extremely positive effect on personal life as well.The possibility appears:
- restoration of family and friendship;
- gain calmness and self-confidence;
- participate in self-realization;
- find new goals in life.
society
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;
- opportunity to get a new promising job or promotion;
- topics for communicating with people that are not related to alcohol gradually appear;
- the person again feels like a full-fledged, respected member of society.
How to refuse to drink in company?
Everyone who refuses to drink sooner or later faces the question of how to stop drinking in company.It is important to understand that your own 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 offerer understands and accepts the answer.If someone continues to insist, despite the expressed refusal, you should exclude communication with such persons.
You can motivate your decision and avoid unnecessary questions under the pretext of taking antibiotics, a quick examination or the need to drive.
It is necessary to learn to firmly refuse alcohol, and over time such offers will come less and less.In addition, most often holidays are spent in the company of relatives and friends, and these people usually know that a 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 pursue your goal.The main thing to remember is that there will definitely be a sure way to get rid of the addiction.