Are you struggling with alcohol?Do you doubt whether you are an alcoholic or not?Are you wondering why you need to drink?If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are on the right path to recovery.Alcohol kills more than 240 people every day.However, it is scary to admit that you are addicted, and it is difficult to realize that you are an alcoholic.
Grooming isn't the hardest part.The hardest part of the journey to sobriety is trying to recognize yourself as sober in the first place.However, people can and do recover from alcoholism, more often than you might think.It's hard, but it's possible.
GUIDE - HOW TO STAY SOBIER
RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM
A drinking person tends to think that he is healthy, alcohol is only an escape from the problem, and he can stop at any time.Meanwhile, this is not so.A one-time drink becomes a habit, and then becomes an insurmountable addiction.As the old saying goes, “the first step is to admit you have a problem.”
If you find yourself comparing your drinking to others, try these three things:
- Ask the right question.Stop asking yourself whether you are an alcoholic or not.If you're asking yourself this question, you're probably an alcoholic;
- One of them.Instead, ask yourself if drinking is preventing you from living the life you want.If yes, then the first step has been taken;
- Stop comparing.Comparisons are of no use.This is someone else's life.You are a person with a complex, unique destiny.
So what if you drink less than Vasya’s neighbor living down the street, if you have a problem, then you need to fight it.Comparing your own drinking with others will only lead to self-justification.Think about your future self.Imagine yourself five years from now with the same drinking habits.Is this what you are striving for?If not, then it's time to solve your alcohol problem.Recognizing the problem is the path to recovery.
UNDERSTAND WHY YOU SHOULD STOP DRINKING
Long-term benefits are rarely enough to motivate people to stop drinking.We often prefer instant gratification.Quitting drinking is no exception.The long-term benefits are only in maintaining health and well-being.
Here are 4 short term benefits:
- Get back lost time.
Anna is a moderate drinker.She drinks 3 times a week, 2-3 drinks a day.Each time, she “loses” about 3 hours of productive time while drunk.Every year Anna loses a month and a half.This is a lot of wasted time that could be spent productively.Do not forget about the time that Anna additionally loses while recovering from a hangover.
- Find someone to talk to.
Conversation builds character and makes us grow.These benefits disappear when you're drunk.It may seem terrible to meet new people without drinking, but the damage alcohol does is worse.
- A reason to get rich.
How easily a person part with money when buying booze; he can easily spend 1000-3000 rubles or more per week.After 6 months, giving up drunkenness can save more than 70 thousand rubles, and this is the cost of a good trip.Are you ready to pay 12 thousand rubles?per month for health problems?
- Better sleep.
Alcohol is a depressant, which means it leaves you exhausted.It also disrupts sleep patterns, leading to an imbalance in the entire body.Stop drinking, this is a guarantee of peace and health.
Quitting alcohol is the healthiest decision you can make.Normalizing weight, improving liver function, lowering cholesterol, increasing immunity, a clear mind, emotional state - these are the small benefits of a sober lifestyle.
MAKE SOBRABILITY THE NORMAL
Quitting alcohol should be the number one priority in your life.Set your own rules and don't break them.Say “no” to yourself, put sobriety on a pedestal and don’t put it away until you understand that your problem is solved.
Don't listen to anyone, listen to yourself.You gave your word - keep it.There should be no obstacles that can stop or change the decision.There is no task that is impossible for a person; if desired, the mountains are subject to human strength.
FIRE YOUR DRINKING MATES
Easier said than done, right?Regardless of whether alcohol is a major part of your social life or just something that brings you together.Difficulties arise where friends and family are drinking around you.
- Step one- say you can't be around drinking for a while.
- Step two- cut off anyone with whom you drank.This may be the most difficult step when choosing to live a life without alcohol.The main thing is to remember that true friends will understand and support.Having a strong social circle is the best thing a person has.It includes people who help to get out of a vicious environment.
- Step three- don’t isolate yourself.Go to people, captivate yourself with interesting ideas.Look for an alternative to alcohol.Man is not an animal.He is always passionate about ideas and can and knows how to take actions that improve the quality of life.
Maybe your sincere desire for a sober life will become contagious to your former comrades and you will be able to pull yourself and the lost souls out, which will enhance the taste of victory.
ADVERTISE YOUR CHOICE
Don't be afraid to tell people about your problem.This will add responsibility to achieving the goal.Information can stop the offer of a drink.If you answer without hesitation to any offer to support the company that you are an alcoholic, then they will stop tempting you, but they will not stop inviting you to good companies.
Confession is not bragging, it is just a reason to understand that you are limited in your choices.Alcohol is too expensive a pleasure, for which you pay with your life.
STOP DRINKING
The first 72 hours are the most difficult part of recovery.As your body rids itself of alcohol, you will experience acute withdrawal symptoms.Alcoholics experience excruciating pain and often require professional help.
Pain after quitting alcohol is proof that the body is healing.The onset of withdrawal symptoms can begin as early as six hours after the last sip:
- Increased temperature, pressure, difficulty breathing and rapid pulse.
- Excessive sweating.
- Tremor.
- Insomnia.
- In extreme cases, convulsions can occur, sometimes life-threatening.
Cleansing the body is an important step in the recovery process.At the same time, many recovering people relapse, seeking healing in the same alcohol.In this case, you cannot do without professional help.Don't be afraid of it, medical help is for the good.It will relieve pain and the recovery process will be much easier.
CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE
- Even after you admit that you have a problem, you need to change your attitude towards the situation.
- Don't get angry at people when they try to help.Don't be shy to ask for help.
- Don't put yourself down, you've come a hard way.Realize that you are taking the right steps towards recovery.
- Be prepared for difficulties, bad attitudes from others, but you have taken the first step, which does not allow you to stop.
REHABILITATION CENTER
Sometimes it is impossible to give up alcohol on your own.You're in too deep to figure things out without professional help.There are both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs that offer the help you need.
The choice allows you to find the necessary program where you can stop and change your image.The main thing is to find yourself and enjoy life without alcohol.
2+ WEEKS AFTER RELEASE
It can take up to two weeks for your body to completely detoxify from alcohol.
As the person is released, he or she experiences symptoms:
- Anxiety and depression.
- Feeling of aggression, hostility.
- Weakening of sexual desire.
- Nightmares.
Don't let this bother you.Positive effects will cover all negative emotions.
…AND ALL THIS JAZZ
The worst thing can be a craving for alcohol that lasts a lifetime.Even after all traces of alcohol have been removed from the body, the brain will still want to return to the balance of chemicals it is accustomed to.But knowing the source of these symptoms is key to fighting addiction.
Develop and implement new hobbies and habits that exclude the bottle.Play sports, lead a healthy lifestyle, look for interesting and enthusiastic people who will not let you give up.
It's always helpful to have the support of friends who understand what you're going through.Go to war with your addiction.Recovery is a lifelong process towards a delightful sense of freedom.