Alcohol is one of the most frequently abused substances. Since early 2000 the number of people who suffer from alcohol abuse disorders has risen by 49%. That means that one in every eight Americans has an alcohol abuse disorder.
Quitting alcohol
People who do not have an addiction to alcohol will tell you that quitting is as simple as not buying or consuming alcohol. The reality is that being addicted to alcohol is more than just a substance abuse problem it is a disease.
Alcoholism is a medical condition is a disease that will possibly require medical or psychological treatments to help you control it. The majority of people who suffer from an alcohol abuse disorder cannot simply stop drinking “cold-turkey”, although this method is often tried and recommended.
Alcohol abuse disorder treatment
- Behavioral Therapy
Learning various ways to change your behavior is a must for anyone stopping their use of alcohol. In the beginning most people drink to make them feel good, make them forget something, or to fit in with a crowd. For the individuals who have an alcohol abuse disorder their drinking starts to occur more frequently, they need more alcohol to achieve the same “high”, and they start to rely on alcohol to cover up sadness, to make them feel “human”, to help them avoid facing some of the difficulties of life.
Behavioral therapy is done with a healthcare provider that can help the person realize why they drink, and help them change their patterns of behavior so they learn to do something besides drink when the urgent arises.
- Medication
Medication like naltrexone and acamprosate are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in helping people deal with the cravings and withdrawal symptoms from alcohol use. These medicines can only be gotten by prescription from a healthcare provider.
Individuals taking the medications will still need to participate in therapy and support counseling groups to help them learn to think differently about alcohol consumption.
- Support Groups
One of the most effective treatments for alcohol abuse disorder is participation in a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous. These groups give you support from people who really understand what you are going through. They allow you to have some place you can feel free to be open and honest about your addiction, your behaviors, your triumphs and your setbacks.
10 Priorities that can help Every Alcoholic
- Acknowledge the Problem
Every recovering alcoholic had to start by admitting that they have a problem with alcohol.
- Purge your Home
Go through your house and dispose of every alcoholic beverage you find. Pour it down the drain, give it away, just get your home clean so temptation is less.
- Make Friends who do not drink
One of the reasons why alcoholics relapse so frequently is they drink when they are around friends who drink. To help you succeed go out with friends who do not consume alcohol.
- Change Routines
If you normally have a drink after work then plan activities after work that you do not associate with drinking. If you normally have a cocktail before dinner then choose a restaurant that does not serve alcohol.
- Write down your goal
Write down the goal you have to stop drinking. Write down the reasons why this goal is important to you. Place this written message somewhere you can see it often so you can reaffirm your goal and the reasons for it.
- Tell People what you are doing
Talk to your friends and family so they know you are trying to abstain. This gives your friends and family a chance to become the support system that you need to help you accomplish this goal.
- Seek a support group like Alcoholics Anonymous or Celebrate Recovery.
Support groups like Celebrate Recovery do not charge anything. They are free to join and they work wonders at helping people discover the true reasons why they drink, and learning how to avoid the common triggers. These programs also help you to take an honest look at yourself to determine the good things about you. So often when we have a problem like addiction to alcohol, we focus on the bad things we see in ourselves. You have to be able to see the good that is also in you and focus on your positive aspects rather than focusing on what you consider to be your failures.
- Eat a Healthy Diet
By eating a diet that is full of healthy foods and choices you will be giving your body the fuel it needs. Junk food and poor food choices can actually make you feel worse. Healthy foods will nourish you and give you energy.
- Exercise
You do not have to become an exercise fanatic, but learning to do things like take a brisk walk, or go for a swim when the cravings hit can help you to resist the urge to drink. Exercise also makes you feel better and when you feel better you are more capable of resisting temptations.
Exercise releases endorphins and endorphins are a natural high. Your energy level will increase, your body will begin to shape up, and you will begin to feel better about you.
Exercise is also an excellent method of overcoming depression. When you stop drinking you are likely to feel some depression and exercising can alleviate that for you.
- Get a hobby
You need to find a way to occupy your mind and your hands. Take up a new hobby like painting, drawing, woodwork, crochet, or anything that will keep your mind and hands busy. When you get excited about a new hobby you are more likely to focus on it more than you focus on wanting a drink.
Staying busy allows you to push the thoughts of alcohol back.
Final Thoughts
The best thing you can do for yourself and your family is take control of your life and behaviors. When you make up your mind to stop using alcohol you will open a new world of experiences and possibilities up.
