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The road to recovery from alcoholism may be long and difficult. It may seem overwhelming at times. However, this is not the case. Whatever your level of drinking or how helpless you feel, quitting drinking and seeking treatment are the only ways to overcome alcoholism and alcohol abuse. You don’t have to wait until you’ve hit rock bottom to make a change; you may start right now.
These tips can assist you in beginning your recovery journey today, whether you choose to completely abstain from alcohol or limit your use to healthier levels. The great majority of persons who struggle with alcohol do not abruptly stop their drinking habits. Typically, recovery is a more gradual process. Denial is a significant impediment throughout the early phases of change. To overcome your alcoholism, you may find yourself inventing reasons for why you can’t quit.
It is critical to communicate your concerns about quitting drinking to rehab centers like alcohol rehab in Haringey. If you’re unsure whether you’re ready to change or are having difficulty selecting, weigh the costs and benefits of each option.
Minimizing Alcohol Consumption vs. Complete Abstinence
The degree of your drinking issue will determine whether or not you are successful in abstaining from alcohol. If you’re an alcoholic, which by definition means you can’t control your drinking, it’s better to attempt to abstain altogether. These suggestions may be helpful if you’re not ready to take that step, or even if your drinking isn’t problematic, but you still want to cut down for personal or health reasons:
1. Establish a drinking target for yourself.
Set a limit on how much alcohol you’ll consume—no more than one drink per day for women, two drinks per day for men—and schedule several alcohol-free days each week. Keep a record of your drinking goal and post it prominently, such as on your phone or tacked on the refrigerator.
2. Maintain a record of your drinking to meet your objective.
For the next three to four weeks, keep track of when and how much you drink. After studying the numbers, you may be astonished at how much alcohol you consume every week.
3. Keep your alcohol usage to a minimum at home.
Reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption in your home. It’s significantly simpler to resist drinking if there are no temptations nearby.
4. Cut down on your alcohol consumption.
Allow 30 minutes or an hour between drinks and consume in little sips. Drink soda, water, or juice in between alcoholic beverages. It’s never a good idea to consume alcoholic beverages on an empty stomach, so eat something before you go.
5. Schedule one or two alcohol-free days each week, then abstain from alcohol for a week.
Keep track of how you’re feeling mentally and physically these days; keeping track of the positives may help you quit for good.
Treatment Options for Alcoholism
Certain individuals can successfully quit drinking on their own or with the assistance of a rehab program or equivalent support group. Others require medical help to safely and happily abstain from alcohol. How much alcohol you’ve drunk, the length of your issue, and the stability of your living situation all play a role in which course of action is ideal for you.
Frequently, the initial step is to consult your primary care physician. Your physician can do an analysis of your drinking patterns, diagnose any co-occurring disorders, assess your overall health, and recommend you to therapy. They may be able to supply you with medication to aid you in your efforts to stop drinking alcohol altogether.
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