There is no single advice on what to do to help someone stop drinking.Each organization and each situation is unique, which means that the solution will be unique in each specific case.
Awareness of the problem of quitting alcohol
The fight against alcohol addiction begins the moment a person realizes that he is sick.Many alcoholics believe that they can quit at any time and deny that they are addicted, but in fact they continue to drink.And it's not even that people lack willpower.They simply cannot properly assess the damage they are causing to themselves, their health, and their relationships with others.
For such people, the admonitions of loved ones or the arguments of professionals are empty words.Even if they are talked into treatment, at best it ends with a short-term abstinence from alcohol and then things go back to normal.
So, the basis for successful treatment of alcoholism is the alcoholic's understanding of the problem and a strong desire to change his life.
Finding the cause
It is much easier to overcome addiction if you know the reason for its occurrence.The analysis helps you understand which aspects you should pay special attention to during the treatment process.There are several main factors that lead to the development of alcoholism.This is the effect of the environment, many stresses, habits, hereditary tendencies.
Most often, after consideration, a person can determine the main factor that led to alcohol addiction.A psychotherapist can also help with this.
How did it all begin?
It will be helpful to remember how the addiction began.This also helps in the proper structure of further therapy.Maybe it all started with drinking a bottle or two of beer in the evening to relax after a hard day's work.Or colleagues at the new workplace celebrate all the holidays marked in the calendar.Or maybe the alcohol helped to forget the frequent family quarrels.
Gradually, the habit becomes more and more entrenched, today they consume alcohol more and more often, and the dose doubles on weekends.
Today's conditions
Most often, people come to the realization 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 malfunction, family relationships deteriorate, and problems at work begin.
One or a combination of these factors may play a dominant role in a person giving up alcohol.The decisive factor can be the wife's request for divorce, her dismissal, or a serious 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.In fact, it doesn't really matter what exactly a person rejects.It is as difficult to stop drinking wine as it is to stop drinking 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 long-term abuse, is always taxing on the body and psyche.
If physical dependence has already developed, you will first suffer from poor health.Thus, the body will need the usual dose of ethanol, which it has already managed to integrate into metabolic processes.
In addition, studies have shown that mental disorders (increasing anxiety, irritation, strong mood swings) appear after some time after stopping drinking.Symptoms like these are one of the main reasons many people relapse.The most important thing is to be patient and get through the withdrawal period.
How to stop drinking correctly?
There are two main ways to stop drinking.The first, as softer, recommends the gradual abandonment of alcohol.It consists of gradually reducing the dose of alcohol until it becomes acceptable or reaches zero.Among the advantages of this method is the low probability of withdrawal symptoms.But the huge 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 the high efficiency due to the absence of relaxation factors in the form of the approved dose.Disadvantages include the high likelihood of developing withdrawal symptoms.The method is not recommended for people who suffer from heavy drinking.
It is strongly recommended to entrust the selection of the technique to a narcologist, who decides based on the patient's condition.
Eliminating the causes of alcoholism
After identifying the factors that lead to the development of addiction, those who want to stop 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 solutions to existing problems and minimize the likelihood of stressful situations.
If your main reason for drinking is the company of persistent friends, you may want to change your social circle.The usual evening time with a bottle of wine on the sofa in front of the TV can be replaced by a walk or a visit to the gym.
The help of a narcologist, taking medicines
One of the most effective ways to stop drinking alcohol is to take special medications.Based on their operating principle, they can be divided into three groups:
- elimination of hangover symptoms;
- reducing the desire for alcohol;
- causing an aversion to alcohol.
These tools are very good at fighting addiction, especially in the early stages, but there are situations when coding is indispensable (especially when the disease is advanced).
Recently, in addition to drugs, dietary supplements that reduce the desire for alcohol and help to stop drinking have become increasingly popular.
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 break the addiction.Some are based on a hypnotic effect, while others use the principle of emotional stress therapy.
But you should not hope that a consultation with a specialist will guarantee a cure.You will probably need a long enough course and, of course, the desire and active work of the patient himself.
Group therapy
It will be very useful to communicate with those who are in a similar situation and are trying to get rid of addiction.It is much easier to force yourself not to drink alcohol when you know that you are not alone and that you can always have support from people who understand you like no one else.
Such communication can be found in Alcoholics Anonymous clubs or on special Internet sites.There, people exchange useful techniques and opinions, share their results and mistakes.
Physical activity
Physical activity promotes the production of endorphins - the happiness hormones.For a person who quits drinking, physical activity not only improves their mood, but can also get them in shape, improve their health, and tone their muscles.
The main thing is to act step by step and not overload the already weakened body.Swimming, running, rollerblading, skating or cycling are good places to start.You can go to the gym or do yoga.
Healthy lifestyle
The best way to start a new life is to give up alcohol and other bad habits on your own.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 causes a habitual craving for many.Therefore, in order 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 stop drinking forever with only folk remedies, but they will be excellent additions to other methods of getting rid of addiction.
The following herbs are considered the most effective in the treatment of alcoholism:
- hoof grass;
- cavalry
- sage;
- captain;
- thyme;
- St. John's wort.
Decoctions and infusions made from these herbs cause an aversion to alcoholic beverages.Some of the listed plants have quite a strong effect, so they should be used carefully, according to 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 to 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 reduces stress levels, improves relationships with people, and restores damaged social relationships.
Health
After a person completely stops drinking alcohol, it takes a certain amount of time for all the toxic substances to be completely cleared from the body.Then the recovery process begins, which takes quite a long time, but the first results are visible quite quickly.
After stopping alcohol consumption:
- immunity is strengthened, a person suffers from diseases less often and more easily;
- the functioning of the 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), looks younger and healthier.
Personal life
Giving up alcohol has an extremely positive effect on your personal life as well.The option appears:
- restore family and friendships;
- gain calmness and 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:
- appearance of new acquaintances;
- the possibility of a new, promising job or promotion;
- topics for communication with people that are not related to alcohol gradually appear;
- the person once again feels like a full-fledged, valued member of society.
How can you refuse to drink in company?
Everyone who stops drinking sooner or later faces the question of how to stop drinking socially.It's important to understand that your own health comes first, and there's nothing weird or shameful about saying no when someone asks you for a drink.This should be done politely but confidently so that the proposer understands and accepts the answer.If someone still insists on it despite a loud refusal, you should exclude communication with such people.
You can motivate your decision and avoid unnecessary questions under the pretext of taking antibiotics, a quick examination or driving.
You have 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 stops drinking and does not offer alcohol.
Conclusion
A person makes the decision to stop drinking alone;no one can do it for you.But this decision is the first and perhaps the most important step on the road to recovery.All further difficulties can be overcome if you resolutely follow your goal.The most important thing to remember is that there will definitely be a surefire way to break free from addiction.