Alcoholism is a disease characterized by dependence on alcohol. It, in turn, consists of two main elements: mental and physical, so before answering the question "How to stop drinking alcohol on your own? "", it is important to consider the causes and factors of addiction formation.
Causes of excessive alcohol consumption
- Genetic factor.Despite the fact that it exists, studies on alcohol dependence demonstrate the following statistics: the risk of developing alcoholism in children of alcohol-dependent parents increases on average by a quarter. This allows us to assert that the primary role in the formation of the disease is attributed to social and psychological factors, and that heredity acts as a favorable "context" that predisposes to the progression of alcoholism.
- Social factorsrepresent a group of reasons and life circumstances that prompt a person to drink alcohol.
- pressure from others - in this case, a person begins to drink "socially" in order not to differ from the rest of the team members, in order to maintain traditions or to better fit into the team, etc.
- unsatisfactory or complex professional activity - having a lot of time, boredom, poorly chosen work that does not correspond to personal needs and interests, as well as a profession that involves excessive physical and mental stress, high risks and responsibilities;
- unsatisfactory quality of life - unfavorable living conditions or unpleasant neighborhood, financial difficulties, poor diet, lack of stable income.
- Psychological reasonsBasically, they represent an inability to adapt to the realities of life, a lack of confidence in oneself and in one's strengths. They are mainly made up of the following factors:
- demonstrative behavior - deliberately attracting the attention of the public or a narrow circle of people;
- the lack of trusting relationships, the possibility of expressing oneself on "painful issues";
- internal inconsistency with images of the Ideal Self - low self-esteem, self-blame and self-reproach;
- impossibility of personal fulfillment - lack of family, difficult relationships with parents ("I am a bad son", etc. );
- drinking as a way to eliminate psychological "barriers" - shyness, shyness, anxiety;
- fears, phobias, increased anxiety, distrust;
- the need to relieve tension, the inability to independently overcome stress and psycho-emotional stress.
So the list of factors is quite long and before you start looking for answers on how to stop drinking alcohol, you need to understand what may have caused your alcohol addiction. However, not all drinkers are ready to analyze the context of the problem and establish the cause of the addiction; moreover, during the existence of alcohol, it has acquired a large number of myths that "justify" the harmful craving for the bottle. The main ones are presented below.
Myths about alcohol
Alcohol is the best assistant in the fight against disease
This is a common misconception regarding many diseases and conditions of the body. It is believed that a glass of alcohol can help fight colds and hypothermia, "disinfect" the intestines, relieve headaches and lower blood pressure. Moderate consumption of alcohol from a number of sources is allowed even for pregnant women - it is allowed to drink a glass of red wine from time to time to increase tone, relieve stress on the cardiovascular system and improve themood. However, even in cases where alcohol temporarily stabilizes the disease, it does not help in any way to overcome the disease, moreover, it is a toxic substance that only aggravates the disease. It should be remembered that there are no therapeutic doses, but there is always a risk of complications and the formation of stable dependence.
Alcohol relieves stress
In fact, drinking alcohol not only does not solve problems and does not eliminate the source of stress, but also adds new difficulties. In addition, a person forgets how to relax on his own, regulate his mental state and loses the ability to resist life's troubles. The destruction of the nervous system leads to even greater susceptibility to external factors, a decrease in resistance to stress, which creates a vicious circle from which it becomes increasingly difficult for the drinker to escape.
Alcohol is not a drug
Despite the legality of alcohol and its general availability, the mechanism of development of addiction is the same as that of strong narcotic substances. The only difference is the period during which a persistent addiction is created. Withdrawal syndrome also differs somewhat, but in both cases occurs when the body stops receiving the usual substance. Moreover, the treatment of alcoholism and drug addiction also has the most similar stages: the detoxification procedure, the work of a narcologist, psychological and social rehabilitation.
Occasional drinking is normal
Events such as weddings, birthdays, funerals, company parties, etc. are always accompanied by collective consumption of alcohol. However, they are not a reason to drink, but a reason to justify one's own weakness and inability to stand up to the majority. Traditionally, there is no direct relationship between certain events and alcohol consumption; for most people, this association is due only to the example of authoritative adults - however, this does not mean that one should blindly follow such a "tradition" and set appropriate measures. example for your children.
Drinking rarely is normal
The peculiarities of the culture, as mentioned above, presuppose quite frequent alcohol consumption - an abundance of holidays, ceremonial holidays, the traditional "Friday" preceding the weekend. . . Against the background of the frequency of alcohol consumption by friends, acquaintances and colleagues, a person may seem to drink extremely rarely. As one becomes accustomed to alcohol, the personal norm changes - the person still believes that he is not subject to this habit and rarely drinks.
I drink alcohol "for courage"
Often people drink to feel confident, decide to take a certain action, meet a nice person, or have a spiritual conversation with friends or acquaintances. But the joy of communication does not lie in shared alcoholic intoxication - in cases where an inferiority complex, a prejudiced attitude towards oneself, lack of confidence in one's attractiveness and strength do not allow the formation ofsocial contacts, you have to work deeply on yourself, and not resort to glass.
Thus, we find that the real and imagined causes of alcoholism differ considerably, which can be confusing to a drinker. However, if he wants to overcome his craving for alcohol, he must respect the following tips and rules.
Tips for Quitting Drinking on Your Own
The first and most important recommendation is a strong desire to overcome the craving for alcohol. However, for it to form, certain conditions must be met.
The good moment
Most often, the desire to give up a dangerous habit arises after a good "treat" - a person feels so bad that he often promises not to drink alcohol again.
Stimulus
How to stop drinking alcohol if there is nothing and no one to do it for? Typically, a compelling argument for sober living is necessary.
Taking care of your health
Few drinkers are aware of the harm they are causing themselves - they understand that drinking alcohol is harmful, but they do not realize exactly what alcoholism entails. Perhaps documentaries, articles, books about the dangers of alcohol, as well as negative personal experiences of friends can help achieve this goal.
Caring for loved ones
It's no secret that excessive alcohol consumption affects not only the psyche of the addict, but also the psychological state of those around him. It is important to remember your loved ones - parents, spouse, children - it is the closest circle that often asks the question of how to persuade a loved one to stop drinking. This is a good incentive to start a sober life.
The desire to maintain one's social status, one's profession, one's wealth
Many drinkers realize that a process of degradation begins: work qualities deteriorate, efficiency decreases and soon you can simply lose your job. Alcohol is also an obstacle to career advancement.
In fact, everyone can have their own motivation - someone experienced a moral shock, someone is afraid of divorcing a spouse who categorically issued an ultimatum, someone does not want to lose their moral character. You need to determine which areas of life are most important and understand how alcohol affects them.
Accept change
It happens that the main question is not "How to stop drinking alcohol? "", but "What do I do when I stop? "". What to do Friday evening? How to go fishing with friends or girlfriends for a "reunion"? What to do at a wedding or birthday? In this case, you need to remember about pleasant changes - sober fun, a pleasant pastime, no need to "get sick" after the holidays, etc. , and a new lifestyle will be formed naturally and easily.
Ability to relax
Learning relaxation techniques is necessary not only for those who are accustomed to drinking due to stress, but also for anyone who is determined to kick their addiction. Withdrawal syndrome, stress from life changes, pressure from others - all of this may require the ability to adapt properly. This can be done with:
- meditation;
- self-massage;
- breathing exercises, etc.
Some people find it helpful to simply count to 10 and take a deep breath; others need deep spiritual practices and serious exercises. You need to find something that will help you.
Exercising helps you forget things
Physical activity not only occupies most of the time, but also contributes to the overall health of the body, releases "hormones of happiness", diversifies life and allows you to feel the joy of sobriety. This can be facilitated by yoga, running, swimming, skiing, horse riding, etc.
Hobbies bring interest back to life
For a person to realize his potential, strong family relationships and a favorite job are not enough. It is also important to do something you love: creativity not only promotes relaxation, but also builds self-confidence and in some cases leads to success. Read books, make crafts, carve wood, write poetry, or even write your own blog, including one covering the question "How do I stop drinking? "» – you must find the hidden potential within you and give it an outlet.
Psychological work on yourself - advice for drinkers
In fact, every drinker suffers from a whole range of psychological problems: feelings of guilt, self-doubt, embarrassment, inability to establish trusting relationships with others, feelings of "abandonment" - only a considerable part of the list ofcharacteristic feelings and states. . You need to work at it: perhaps following the 12-step treatment program or psychocounseling sessions will help you overcome the obstacles that have arisen; maybe you can do it yourself. However, this point is mandatory, because eliminating the root of the problem is the key to success.
Other methods of combating alcohol
Traditional medicine also helps in the treatment of alcoholism. It would seem, how can folk remedies help you stop drinking alcohol? However, there are several common methods by which the craving for alcohol weakens.
How to use a decoction?
A decoction of thyme causes vomiting and aversion to alcohol. 15 g of dried herbs are brewed with 2 cups of boiling water, left to simmer for 10-15 minutes, then a little boiled water is added until the original volume is obtained. It is taken twice a day at a rate of 50 ml/15 ml of vodka.
Tea as part of the treatment of alcohol dependence
Ivan tea is mixed with thyme in proportions 5/1, brewed with boiling water and simmered for 15-20 minutes. After the tea has cooled to the desired temperature (it should not burn), a little honey is added to it. It should be consumed when the desire to drink arises, the permitted quantity can be up to 5 cups per day.
Despite the abundance of advice on how to quit drinking alcohol on your own, a small percentage of people who crave alcohol succeed. In most cases, for full recovery, it is necessary to go to a drug treatment center to receive drug treatment and then undergo social and psychological rehabilitation.