How to Quit Drinking Alcohol and Find the Available Treatment Options
Based on data from the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, excessive alcohol consumption claims the lives of about 385 Americans daily and 140,557 annually. Alcoholism means having a desire or physical need to consume alcohol, even though it has a negative impact on your life. It can be difficult to notice when casual drinking turns into an alcohol use disorder (AUD).
One main question for people struggling with this condition is, “Can you beat alcoholism?” Although overcoming alcoholism can be tough and frustrating, if you are willing to quit drinking and are ready to get the proper support, you can begin recovery and get on the path to a sober, healthier, and happier life. First, you need to accept that you have a drinking problem and take the necessary measures immediately. Below are in-depth details on how to overcome alcoholism.
Reasons Why People Abuse Alcohol
You may wonder how you moved from occasional social drinking to becoming addicted. Alcohol dependence is a habit that can form quickly and may surface over extended periods. Reasons why people abuse alcohol vary from person, and they include these:
Stressful Environment
Everyone experiences some level of stress at some point in life. Unfortunately, some people turn to alcohol when dealing with stressful situations. For instance, some individuals consume alcohol to cope with a stressful work environment, financial stress, relationship issues, or legal problems. Since alcohol is a depressant, it relaxes your body and mind. This can quickly lead to increased alcohol tolerance and addiction.
Family History
Growing up around people who abuse alcohol can affect your perception of drinking. The influence can be more significant if you have a parent who struggles with AUD. You are at a higher risk of alcohol abuse due to environmental factors and genetics. Once you start using alcohol, there is a higher chance of getting addicted due to inheriting certain genes from close family members. Young people are four times more likely to develop AUD when there is a family history of alcoholism.
Social Pressure
Many people start drinking alcohol due to social pressure. If you hang out with people who drink alcohol, they will likely pressure you to do the same, whether directly or indirectly. It may be easy to resist initially, but you’ll likely give in to peer pressure as time goes on. This is common among college students who engage in binge drinking.
Impacts of Drinking Alcohol
Alcohol’s detrimental effects on your body start from the first sip. If you drink too much, you may experience a hangover with a bad headache the next morning. Many people assume these effects are normal and brush them off since they don’t last long. However, every organ in your body feels the impact of drinking alcohol.
Brain
Alcohol interferes with normal brain functioning, altering your mood, balance and emotions. It also contributes to memory loss and sleep problems. In the long term, drinking can damage some brain regions, such as the limbic system and cerebellum, negatively impacting the body’s communication pathways.
Liver
The liver breaks down alcohol and filters it from the blood in your body. However, excessive amounts of alcohol take a toll on your liver and can lead to illnesses like cirrhosis and steatosis.
Pancreas
Alcohol abuse over an extended time makes the blood vessels around the pancreas swell. This can cause pancreatitis, which prevents proper digestion. It also increases the risk of pancreatic cancer.
Heart
Drinking too much alcohol on one occasion or over a long period negatively impacts your heart. It can increase triglyceride levels, putting you at risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. Alcohol also contributes to high blood pressure and stroke.
How to Stop Alcoholism
By taking the appropriate steps, you can avoid the harmful effects of alcoholism. Here are some strategies you can use.
Weigh the Benefits Against the Cost of Drinking Alcohol
If you don’t see anything wrong with drinking alcohol, quitting will be an uphill task. Therefore, consider the benefits of quitting alcohol and compare them against the cost of drinking.
The benefits of quitting alcohol include:
• Feeling better physically and mentally
• Saving money
• Having better relationships at home and in the workplace
The costs of excessive drinking include:
• Feeling anxious and depressed
• Increased problems in your relationships
• Risks of injuries and serious illness
Having a clear view of your situation can help you develop a strong willingness to quit drinking.
Set Goals
Now that you’ve decided to quit alcohol, set drinking goals. The goals should be clear, realistic, and specific. Some of these goals include:
• Deciding to drink water when you feel like taking alcohol
• Drinking only on weekends
• Taking only one standard drink
• Setting the date when you intend to quit
Tell Your Family and Friends
Quitting alcohol is like any other healthy behavior you would like to adopt. So, once you have clear goals, you need to share them with your family and friends. This approach helps you normalize the adjustment you are making in your life. Your loved ones will keep you on your toes whenever you start to stumble. You can also seek help from a physician or therapist if the problem is severe. Medical experts can guide you in developing personalized steps to overcome alcoholism.
Measure Your Drinks
Have a diary to record every time you have a drink. Ensure you have accurate records and stick to the standard. Even when you are away from home, keep your records.
Eat in Between Drinks
Eating before or in between drinks can help absorb alcohol. This can help to dampen the effect of alcohol in your body and possibly discourage you from drinking excessively. In some cases, eating can reduce your cravings, thereby making you reduce the amount of alcohol you consume.
Get Rid of Temptations
You can quickly resume your old drinking habits if you don’t get rid of temptations. For instance, if easy access to alcohol makes you drink too much, don’t keep it in your house or office to limit your drinking.
Avoid Bad Influences
Find polite ways to say no to alcoholic drinks so you can stay in control. Don’t feel obligated to drink just because other people are doing it. Also, stay away from people who pressurize you to drink or don’t support your efforts to quit. This means keeping off some social connections or friends, but the rewards are worthwhile.
Keep Busy
Idleness can increase the urge to take alcohol even when trying to drop this habit. Therefore, keep yourself busy by indulging in activities such as playing sports, taking a walk, catching a movie, or going out to eat. An activity like exercising is a healthy alternative that helps ease anxiety.
Be Persistent
Like any other type of drug abuse, quitting alcohol may require several attempts before you meet your goals. You’ll probably slip back along the journey, but responding to your setbacks will set you up for success. Therefore, don’t let setbacks keep you from achieving your long-term target. In case of a setback, be persistent and take the necessary measures to prevent future relapse.
Is Alcoholism Treatable?
No matter how severe your alcoholism condition is, you can recover with the proper support and treatment plan. Are you finding it difficult to quit alcohol on your own? Don’t give up. Enroll in a rehab facility to receive around-the-clock professional support. Once you get into rehab, you undergo a series of physical examinations and tests. This information will help your doctor prepare a personalized treatment plan for your unique needs. The treatment for alcohol use disorder includes the following processes.
Alcohol Detox
The first step in treating alcoholism is medical detoxification, which can take a few days or a week. Detoxification involves eliminating alcohol and other toxins from the body to prepare you for further treatment. This procedure is medically supervised by doctors and other medical experts in the rehab facility to help you manage withdrawal symptoms like seizures, hallucinations, and tremors. You will have round-the-clock supervision from the facility staff to ensure you are comfortable. In some severe cases, doctors can prescribe medication to help you overcome the symptoms. Based on the severity of your condition, your doctor will advise you on the most suitable treatment program.
For clients suffering from excessive alcohol use disorder, identify negative behaviors and thoughts that can lead to alcohol use disorder. It seeks to replace them with positive behaviors and the best ways to manage the thoughts that lead you to drink. CBT sessions involve conversations between a therapist and a client.
Motivational Enhancement Therapy
Building and improving your willingness to change your drinking behavior are the goals of this therapy. It is conducted within about four sessions focusing on identifying the benefits of seeking treatment. You’ll also develop the necessary skills to help you maintain sobriety and build confidence.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
This therapy aims to help you manage negative emotions and cope with stressors and cravings. You learn to accept things you cannot change, which helps to prevent suicidal thoughts.
Contingency Management
For this type of therapy, the therapist offers incentives like vouchers and other prizes to reinforce good behavior. You and your counselor will identify positive goals like maintaining sobriety for a certain period, and if you get a negative drug test, you receive a reward. This helps prevent relapse.
Aftercare
Once you have completed treatment for AUD, you still need support for ongoing recovery. Aftercare programs provide support to help you transition to your daily routine safely. Most rehab centers offer ongoing therapy and access to alumni events or communities so that you recover successfully. You can also join a support group. Meeting with others suffering from AUD and working toward a common goal will help you stay sober. You learn the challenges they face in their recovery journey and the strategies they use to remain sober. One popular group for people struggling with alcoholism is Alcoholics Anonymous. This 12-step program has set rules that promote accountability and motivate people in recovery.
If you live in a trigger-filled environment or lack proper support at home, you can move into a sober residence after treatment. These homes provide a stable environment that will help you safely transition into the community with lower risks of relapse. At the sober residence, you will live with other people working on recovery so you can build meaningful relationships. You can also look for work or return to school while working on recovery. However, expect regular random drug tests for accountability.
Seek Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder Today
Millions of people in the United States are struggling with excessive alcohol consumption. Choosing to seek treatment is the most important step to help you recover from AUD. With treatment at a rehab center and ongoing support, you can maintain long-term sobriety in the company of people you can rely on for comfort, guidance, and encouragement.