Medically Reviewed by Annamarie Coy, BA, ICPR, MATS
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Do you struggle with alcohol addiction and want to reclaim your life? Alcoholism can be a destructive and isolating condition. This is particularly true if you suffer from an underlying mental health issue like depression or anxiety.
But the good news is, it doesn’t have to mean a lifetime of misery. With proper support, you can find lasting ways to stop drinking to begin living a healthier, more positive lifestyle.
This blog post discusses tips on breaking free from alcohol dependence, the signs that suggest it’s time to stop drinking alcohol, and treatment options available for those who need them.
Proactively managing your alcohol consumption can significantly decrease the chances of harmful consequences. These include the loss of self-control and the development of chronic health issues.
Here are five tips for reducing or cutting out the amount of alcohol you drink:
To effectively reduce your alcohol consumption, a simple yet effective step is to eliminate any presence of alcohol in your household. The mere requirement to go out and acquire a drink is often a deterrent when attempting to quit or limit drinking.
Furthermore, it’s prudent to explore viable alternatives. These include alcohol-free beverages like soda water, sodas, juices, or tea as substitutes. In cases where you live with roommates, request that they store their alcohol in discreet areas instead of communal spaces.
Drinking alcohol is so strong in various cultures that you’re often expected to partake in social drinking occasions. These gatherings can range from celebratory to pre-gaming events. As a result, you may consume alcohol without much thought alongside your friends or family members.
Mindful drinking entails being conscious and fully present when making decisions regarding alcohol. It promotes a more deliberate and mindful approach to drinking, urging you to:
By incorporating these practices, you can cultivate a more thoughtful and intentional relationship with alcohol.
When meeting new people or arranging a first date at a bar, you can typically expect alcohol to be a part of your day. There’s no established expectation for drinking if you meet people in venues like a cafe, park, bakery, or non-alcoholic restaurant.
This gives you a greater chance to establish a relationship that doesn’t revolve around alcohol. The same principle applies when meeting old friends.
If you’re trying to reduce your alcohol consumption, it’s essential to communicate your intentions openly and honestly. Most people will support your efforts to lead a healthier lifestyle. Those who refuse to meet for a non-alcoholic drink may contribute to the issue.
Moderation Management (MM) was established in 1994 as a viable alternative to Alcoholics Anonymous. It caters to those without alcohol dependence focused on managing their drinking rather than complete abstinence.
MM promotes the adoption of personalized drinking objectives that align with your circumstances. Through in-person or virtual gatherings, members collaborate in:
Many people trying to stop drinking have found support in online communities. Finding a positive and supportive environment through forums or social media can help you stay on track and feel supported.
These forums also provide helpful tips from other members about how they’ve stopped drinking and stayed sober. This can be immensely valuable if you’re just beginning the process, as it can provide you with inspiration and motivation.
Look for online communities that support people to stop drinking. Many helpful resources, such as books and blogs about sobriety and recovery, are also available.
Your family doctor, mental health professional, or substance abuse specialist can help you find the best treatment plan for your drinking problem. In some cases, they may prescribe medications to help reduce cravings you experience when abstaining from alcohol.
These medications work with therapy and support groups in a comprehensive treatment program. A therapist can also help you recognize triggers, develop a plan to address cravings and implement healthy coping strategies.
You must fill the void with meaningful activities and hobbies when you stop drinking. Otherwise, you may fall into a “dry drunk syndrome state.”
This condition involves the inability to adjust your behavior despite being technically sober. People in this state may still show signs of alcohol abuse, such as aggressiveness or bitterness. Other signs of dry drunk syndrome include depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
To avoid falling into this state of mind when you stop drinking, seek out activities that promote your overall well-being, such as:
Having something to look forward to daily can help you move through quitting alcohol without feeling overwhelmed.
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Some people, especially young adults in their 20s and 30s, might have trouble recognizing drinking problems. That’s because binge drinking has been so normalized due to college and other factors. Therefore, it can be surprising to learn that it’s actually a serious form of substance abuse.
A useful criterion for AUD is published in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). To diagnose alcohol use disorder, doctors will ask if any of the following statements apply to you within the last year:
Based on your responses to a series of questions, you can determine the severity of your alcohol use disorder. You have a mild disorder if you answer “yes” to two or three questions. Four to five “yes” answers indicate a moderate disorder, while six or more affirmatives suggest a severe disorder.
Assisting a person in denial about their problem can be challenging. To begin, engage in a conversation with them. It would be wise to choose a time and place when they’re not consuming alcohol, ensuring a relaxed atmosphere conducive to open communication.
When engaging in dialogue, refrain from using threatening or judgmental language. Moreover, avoid enabling behaviors. Instead, approach the conversation calmly and inform them that their actions harm themselves and those around them.
It’s not uncommon for people with drinking problems to react with hostility or denial. In such cases, enlisting the assistance of a professional for an intervention may be necessary.
They’ll connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor
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If you have a drinking problem, seeking guidance from a psychologist, doctor, or addiction specialist is best. They can offer valuable insights to determine the most suitable approach to quit drinking.
People who suffer from a moderate or severe alcohol use disorder may find it challenging to quit. Alcoholism is a persistent and recurring condition that impacts the brain’s chemical makeup.
This is why many attempts to quit abruptly fail. Heavy drinkers often fall back into unhealthy patterns if they don’t possess the necessary mindset, social abilities, and coping strategies to recover from alcoholism.
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Even moderate drinking habits come with serious consequences, including:
The effects of alcohol abuse are even more severe. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) can lead to liver disease, cancer, cardiac problems, and death.
Fortunately, many methods exist to decrease or eliminate alcohol intake. These ways evade the adverse effects on your physical, social, and mental well-being.
Alcohol is one of the most common and prevalent drugs in the world. Additionally, it holds a notable status as a socially accepted substance for use.
There are various reasons why people turn to alcohol:
But while alcohol may provide short-term help in these situations, it can create more problems than it solves.
Here are the three most popular and effective treatment options:
Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and SMART Recovery offer those with AUD a framework, responsibility, and a sense of community. These groups typically consist of regular, in-person meetings that occur weekly or monthly.
For some people, these support groups may sufficiently address moderate drinking issues. They also suffice for those with a solid drive to achieve sobriety. At the very least, they offer invaluable resources and connections for people navigating recovery.
However, more commonly, these support groups serve as a follow-up program. People enter these organizations after completing a structured rehabilitation program at an authorized treatment facility.
Outpatient treatment programs are highly effective if you have:
These programs allow you to receive treatment at a facility while still being able to sleep in the comfort of your own home. The intensity and duration of outpatient treatment vary; they tailor services to meet your needs.
Outpatient treatment programs typically consist of three main stages:
Inpatient treatment is the most intensive rehabilitation option for those with moderate to severe alcohol use disorders. It also has the highest rate of successful recovery.
During inpatient treatment, you sleep, eat, and undergo treatment, all while living at the treatment facility. The five stages of inpatient programs include the following:
Both inpatient and outpatient programs vary in methodologies. However, most use psychotherapy (talk therapy), group therapy, and some health and wellness counseling.
Other popular therapies include:
Stopping alcohol can be difficult. It’s essential to seek professional help to determine the best treatment for your drinking problem.
Support groups are also invaluable resources for anyone trying to quit drinking. Several treatment options are also available for those with AUD.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcoholism, contact a mental health professional immediately. Remember, recovery takes time and patience. Investing in necessary treatment and support will help you move towards a healthier, happier addiction-free life.
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