Though drinking is a leisure activity for most people and one of the ways to relieve stress, untamed alcoholism can pose severe health and social problems. Overcoming alcoholism and drug addiction is never easy, especially when you’ve developed the habits over many years. The journey to recovering from alcoholism is often long and bumpy, but with the proper support and mindset, you can fully recover and fix your life for good.
Dangers of alcoholism
Alcohol and substance abuse can impact your health in several ways, depending on your level of drinking. Some common long-term effects may include memory loss, sleeping disorders, poor gut health, irritability, mood swings, poor judgment, and depression. These side effects become more pronounced over time and may affect your home and work relationships.
Overcoming addiction
Alcoholism and substance addiction are challenging to overcome because they affect your cognitive reward system and induce dependency, which makes the substances desirable. Luckily, addiction, no matter how severe, is treatable and reversible through behavioral and lifestyle changes. If you are feeling stuck and helpless about your drinking problem, here are five strategies to quit alcohol and embark on a drug-free life.
Understand your relationship with alcohol
Unfortunately, many people who struggle with alcoholism fail to acknowledge the problem and the need for change. Denial is a common trait for people in the early stages of alcoholism. All in all, it helps to understand the significance of alcohol in your life. The treatment routine for casual drinkers will differ from that of people with acute alcohol dependency. Understanding your alcohol triggers and where you lie in the addiction spectrum will help you develop an effective quitting strategy while reducing the chances of relapse.
Goal setting and gearing up for change
Once you’ve resolved to quit alcohol, you need to set realistic and clear goals about your drinking habits. For example, you limit drinking to certain days of the week, such as weekends. Alternatively, you can limit the number of drinks you consume on a night out. Set a realistic timeframe for when you expect to recover from your alcoholism fully; it could range between a few weeks to over six months, depending on your drinking severity.
Seek social support
Peer support is vital for anybody seeking to quit alcohol and substance abuse. Let your family and friends know about your decision so that they can help you stay sober and up to date with your goals. Loneliness is a major trigger for alcoholism. Self-help groups provide a good support system because they surround you with people who understand your struggles. If you are a social drinker, you may benefit from changing your environment and setting boundaries with friends who trigger your drinking tendencies.
Therapy and counseling
Counseling and medical supervision could benefit you if you struggle with withdrawal symptoms. Your counselor can introduce you to several types of psychotherapy and medications that may be more effective against your addiction. Psychotherapy is particularly helpful in improving an individual’s resolve and coping skills against withdrawal symptoms. Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is an excellent technique for diagnosing and treating harmful behaviors and thought patterns propagating alcoholism. Mindfulness therapies can help alleviate anxiety, depression, irritability, and other mental struggles arising from substance addiction.
Rehabilitation and medication
Alcoholism is the leading cause of rehab admission in the United States. While mild addictions are treatable using support groups, acute alcoholism always requires rehabilitation. Rehabilitation centers provide a conducive environment to detoxify and reform. Your therapist may recommend inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation, depending on your situation. Medication can help you cope with withdrawal and prevent relapse in the long term.
Get professional help
If you have difficulty quitting alcohol on your own, it may be time to seek professional help. Unfortunately, there’s no quick fix or one-stop solution to dealing with alcoholism. We are committed to finding a solution that works for you no matter the extent of your addiction, whether you are seeking complete sobriety or mindful drinking. Start your journey to sobriety by calling us today at 844-844-3463.