I have prepared this material for those who want to throw a drink on their own or help their loved one. I speak in simple, non-medical language so that you understand what to do and where to go.
Millions of people suffer from alcoholism. This is many times more than people suffering from other diseases. Alcoholism destroys not only families but also personalities. Alcohol dependence is one of the most difficult diseases and can be very dangerous. Therefore, it is important to work for the prevention and treatment of alcohol use disorders.
We believe that it is possible to give up drinking! And most importantly, we are ready to help you do it yourself or with the help of experts. Read to the end of the article and do not be distracted by thinking about some of the topics below.
So that! What is alcoholism?
Alcoholism is "a disease of the mind, body and spirit. "Because this situation includes physical and psychological desire. And to force the use of mood-altering alcohol. Getting rid of alcohol dependence involves physical, psychological, and emotional treatment.
According to the great Soviet encyclopedia, alcoholism is a chronic mental illness. That is, it follows from this definition that alcoholism is a disease on a psychological level. Physical addiction comes too late, a person becomes a creature who needs only one thing, fills himself with alcohol. And it doesn't matter if it's a surrogate, a tincture or something.
It is quite possible to eliminate the psychological level of the disease yourself. How to quit drinking, I will analyze in more detail. But with physical addiction, you need to see a doctor - a narcologist, and now you need medical treatment for alcoholism.
How do you know if there is a problem and if it needs to be solved?
Below I will analyze a few situations that may be familiar or close to you. If you have at least one of the symptoms listed below, then you are still an alcoholic and you may not be an avid alcoholic yet, but there is a problem.
If:
- you invited him to a party and immediately noted that the event would be "dry". And you refused to go because you have no idea how to have fun and relax without alcohol;
- more and more often, no matter how strong you are, you start retiring with alcohol. But you are more comfortable drinking beer alone than in the company;
- you can cope with feelings of anxiety and worry just by drinking;
- It is very difficult to cope with the desire to drink, the situation does not stop you to work tomorrow. Either you have an important exam or you need to pass some kind of analysis;
- generally condemning those who do not drink, there is definitely something wrong with this person;
- get so drunk that it's hard to remember what you did in the morning.
Then we will look at what you can do about it and how to deal with alcoholism.
Stop drinking and change your life for the better!
The onset of addiction and the stages of alcoholism
Gradually, the alcoholic begins to abuse it, and it becomes very difficult not to drink for several days in a row. You look forward to Friday so you can spend the whole weekend drinking. After that, the habit of drinking goes to work days and no longer saves the next day for work. If you've been looking for some reason before, bought a cat's birthday, Bastille Day, new socks, then the drink is for no reason, just what I want. And now the question of "what to drink" disappears by itself.
Reasons for drinking
They are completely different. Because they drink:
- difficulties arose in life: a loved one suffered or died;
- financial issues are not resolved: they have been fired and it is impossible to find a new one; loans or mortgages "choke" and so on. ;
- there is no rest at home: the wife has no saw, the mother-in-law has no rest, the neighbor sharpens his teeth. . ;
- forced by someone;
- does not want to be different from everyone;
- for some it is a sign of maturity;
- someone simply relaxes in this way;
- eliminates shyness.
It should be noted that alcohol dependence begins differently for everyone. Someone can start at the age of 15-16. Others start at the age of 25-30.
In addition, alcohol consumption is becoming a habit, and without it a person simply can not feel comfortable. In alcohol, we begin to stifle our problems because the drunk does not care about what is happening around him. And nowsobriety becomes a disease. . . Because it is bad for a sober person to accept the world and perceive the situation adequately. Alcohol only becomes a "medicine" that heals our illusions.
Stages of alcoholism
There are several stages of alcoholism:
- The first stage of alcoholism: It's hard to keep yourself from drinking, a friend came with a bottle, how to give up? And it is not important that there are very important things tomorrow. The first stage can be treated well without outside help. It is important to be willing and work on yourself;
- The second stage of alcoholism: when a person drinks a lot, but is not drunk. Without alcohol, human existence is simply impossible. This is the beginning of physical dependence;
- The third stage of alcoholism: different from the second. When you drink a glass and stand with difficulty. And this situation is permanent. Urgent drug treatment is needed.
The most important thing, you need to understand that alcohol dependence does not happen overnight. It involves a progressive, complex process that takes place in a region of the brain known as the "reward center. "In the same place that regulates and increases the natural needs that are vital for our existence. That is why the addicted brain pursues alcohol and other drugs, as if these substances are necessary for our survival. And that is why people who are actively addicted prefer alcohol or other drugs to almost any priority.
The researchers also identified many social, psychological, genetic and other factors that make some people more susceptible to the development of alcoholism than others. In all cases, it is important to understand that no one chooses to develop alcoholism. Two people may start drinking alcohol, one is addicted to alcohol, and the other does not develop symptoms.
Also, keep in mind that addicted people can never use alcohol or other addictive drugs without endangering their health. Their brain chemistry has changed in a way that can be rebalanced through rehabilitation, but this balance will always remain sensitive to renewed use.
Ways and means to stop drinking
Effective ways you can use to fight alcohol. Don't put it off until tomorrow. Get started now.
Then follow all the methods described below and you will be able to stop drinking once!
The first way to stop drinking: "Scare yourself"
Although they say that it is useless to read articles about the harms of alcohol, it is useless, but in the end no one reads them carefully. If you feel you want to drink more and more, do not be lazy and read our article again. It is better to keep for yourself. Also read how harmful alcohol is. Take 15 minutes each day to read short articles. So let's say you scare yourself and always remember the dangers of alcohol. Think about your liver, your youth, your beauty. It is also about how difficult it is to fight alcoholism. Especially if you do it yourself.
The second way to stop drinking: "Be an actor in your movie"
Another very interesting way to think about giving up alcohol is to film yourself drunk. Just put the camera on or ask someone. Often, not everyone will be able to watch their drunken adventures until the middle of filming. Shame is a distinguishing feature of man from animals. You will also understand how difficult it is for your loved ones.
The third way to stop drinking: "Find an ecological substitute"
It is very important to find a way to relax, to replace alcohol with something else. Exercise, dance, sing, find your talent. Calm yourself that it is important for you to stop drinking. We wanted to drink in the evening, but instead we ran in the fresh air. Or went to the gym.
The main thing is that it is an environmentally friendly solution, never replace alcohol, for example, with pills. Everyone has a will, you just need to find it and replace it with something that will make you happy, not with another substance that confuses the mind.
The fourth way to stop drinking: "Clear your friends list and update your social circle. "
If you have people in your social circle who are drinking and they are constantly pushing you, get rid of such friends. Understand that they are not friends, and remember the words of the song "Friend does not tell you, drink to the bottom. "The social circle of alcohol is a black hole, from which it is very difficult to go out alone with every bottle you drink. And with every glass you drink, you take a step to be alone.
In addition, today there are many opportunities to update your social circle: parks, gyms, hobby clubs. . .
The fifth way to give up alcohol: "Be your own accountant"
Keep a diary of your alcohol expenditures. And write down how much you spent on this useless stick today.
Go to the store and use this money to buy yourself a gift, for example, quality clothes, a new phone. Reward yourself for giving up drinking! Better yet, save. See how much you will have in a month and what you can buy instead of alcohol.
The sixth way to stop beating: "Memory does not make you drunk"
Over time, you will learn to control yourself, and a symbolic glass of champagne for the New Year will not require drinking a liter of vodka. You will now know your limit: after a few sips you will want to drink more, or which glass is not worth drinking.
After drinking, remember that the next morning you say "demon from the toilet" and how it looks to you that your head will explode in pain and will be the ideal choice for you. By the way, if you suffer from hunger after drinking too much, it is a very loud call that already calls you an alcoholic.
The seventh way to give up alcohol once and for all: "Alcohol-friendly cigarettes"
We decided to give up drinking and then quit smoking. If this habit is on the list of pests. After all, it encourages smoking, and after a glass of puff looks more "delicious". But this is an illusion. And there is so much talk about the dangers of smoking that it is not worth mentioning it here.
Eighth way: "Analysis of actions"
Never blame yourself for loving this green snake. And don't hesitate to talk about not drinking. Sometimes you just have to analyze everything that happens in your life. When you drink, when you are hungry, when you feel like drinking.
You can even cut a piece of paper in half and write in one column what alcohol gives me and in the other what problems it causes. I'm sure the column with good points is unlikely to be filled. But there is enough information to analyze the impact of alcohol on your life.
Those who are close and dear make us full-fledged people!
Ninth road: "Relatives are close"
It is important to admit that you are addicted. There is no need to shout and introduce yourself in every corner: "Hello, my name is Vasya and I am an alcoholic" No! Just admit it to yourself. Then, if you want, you can initiate your loved ones, spouse, parents, children, people you live with or communicate with often, so that they know that you intend to give up alcohol.
Native people will not necessarily tell you that you are stupid or crazy. They are close to helping and, most importantly, understanding. The support of your loved ones at the beginning of the journey is the key to getting rid of the drinking habit. Don't be afraid to say it, it's more dangerous to back down and not quit.
Tenth Way to Fight Alcoholism: "Provocation is a Failure"
There is an unshakable rule that if a person decides not to drink, there is no need to provoke him. For example, don't go to a store that has a drink, well, or at least avoid branches with invitation bottles.
First, try not to drink until you have developed a habit of abstaining from alcoholic beverages. Celebrate a friend's birthday or nephew's baptism. You can skip this important event, and then you will pay close attention to them.
The way of salvation will require sacrifices, but if you continue to drink, they will be insignificant compared to the sacrifices that can be made.
Eleventh way: "Eat dinner yourself. . . "
A very important aspect of the fight against alcoholism is to be full. Yes, yes. After all, you often want to drink on an empty stomach, so when you come home from work in the evening, try to have a hearty dinner, and the thought of drinking will definitely fade into the background.
Road:"Stress is a reason to drink"
Try to avoid stressful situations, it is difficult to do in our time, but it is possible. You can now find many ways to get rid of depressive states on the Internet, such as meditation. Not everyone gets them, but it's worth a try. Remember a fact for yourself, alcohol does not solve problems, alcohol adds new problems!
When a person gives up alcohol, it is as if he loses something. Vacancy and anxiety appear. In these moments you need to find something for yourself to fill the gaps. For example, instead of an evening meeting with a glass and a glass, go to the movies for an evening show. Buy a ticket to a rock concert and shout from the heart there. By the way, the way to shout is effective, they came home angry, there is no power to drink, because life is completely "shit", shut yourself up in the bathroom or room and shout loudly, you can even break your voice, but go. And life will no longer seem unfair. And it is quite possible that you will find the right solution to any problem while shouting.
If you want, you can consult a psychologist or narcologist. The help of a specialist is often very important in these moments of throwing. A good doctor can even find the cause of your addiction, remove everything that started it, and this is an important fact on the way to get rid of alcohol.
There is now a lot of literature on "How to Stop Drinking, " "The Way to Sleep, " or "The Easy Way to Stop Drinking. "Read them. They may not have the expected effect, but they certainly won't hurt. It is better to read these advice books in the evening than to fill your problems with questionable fluid.
Road:"Look at yourself in the mirror"
When you are drunk, try to put yourself in the place of people who suffer from your abomination. For example, imagine your spouse in your place. Significantly, the other person gets drunk and misbehaves. If he is in a meeting, then you should at least be ashamed of your partner. Or did he get drunk at home and cause a scandal? Do you interfere with sleep? Do you agree with that?
Now imagine that your children see you in this situation. As a child, would you like to see your mother or father in Neanderthal form? Almost no one will answer yes. Now imagine that you are sitting at your workplace and your colleague at the next table smells smoke, or worse, "fresh. "Or you come to the doctor, he sits with a headache after yesterday's party and does not know how to treat you. Or does a drunken teacher teach your child?
Imagine situations where alcohol is unpleasant for you and the people who use it, and the consequences.
Folk ways to fight alcohol: is it better to use or be afraid of them?
But under no circumstances should you resort to methods that could harm your health. Many go to their grandmothers to "whisper" and "talk" about their drinking habits. It is better if the grandmother whispers to you, and she gives you herbs or tinctures. . . And you can go from an alcoholic to a toxic patient. If you really feel that you can't do it on your own, contact a narcologist who will prescribe the right treatment and not harm your health.
Make sure you analyze your life when you drink and this week when you don't. Or non-alcoholic this year. Believe me, the time you spend without alcohol is much more colorful, interesting and happy than it is. At least try to put this theory into practice. If you do not like to live without alcohol, you can always go back to hangovers, blackouts, failures, debts. . alas, alcohol is sold here.
The key question is: is it realistic to give up drinking?
Millions of people around the world prove that recovery is stronger than alcohol dependence. And they prove that treatments work, families get better, and life gets better.
As with other chronic illnesses, alcohol or other drug addiction can be successfully combated. This will allow you to live a full and fulfilling life.
If you have difficulty coping on your own, contact a drug treatment center. Most people who participate in treatment programs not only stop using alcohol or other drugs, but also improve their professional, social, and psychological well-being.