The decision to stop drinking cannot be taken lightly. It is a radical change in one’s life and identity. When you decide you want to stop drinking, you may face many fears, such as the fear of being sober, the fear of withdrawal, and many others. It will take a lot of sacrifices and lots of patience and persistence to overcome your fears and get over these feelings. But it will be worth it. Here are some tips for stopping drinking now.
Make A Decision
Decide to stop drinking now. You do not have to explain the reasons for your decision or defend it to anyone. Do not think about the consequences much. Just make a firm decision. Doing this will relieve you of the burden of guilt that haunts you every time you take a drink. When you finally decide to stop drinking, you will feel free and relieved.
See A Professional
You need to seek professional help when you decide to stop drinking. You do not need an immediate cure or a long-term treatment program from a therapist or a doctor, but some help from someone who has experience in alcoholism and drug addictions is better than none at all. You can start by attending a local AA meeting there. You will find many people going through the same thing as you. You can also turn to any other non-profit organization that offers services to help alcoholics battle addiction.
Understand What Is Happening And Why
You need to understand the nature of your disease at some point in your life. It is a lifelong problem, and you are just getting started with it. If you understand this, you will be able to provide informed consent to a treatment program. You must also determine whether you need professional help from a doctor or an AA-sponsored program. Research the best programs near you and learn about the services they offer.
Take A Step Back
Take care of yourself now because some problems will not disappear unless you first deal with them. If you want to stop drinking, you must concentrate on giving up the addiction and not get obsessed with drinking. Evaluate your decisions, behaviors, and relationships. If you want to stop drinking, you must take responsibility for everything happening around you. Face your fears and accept them without having to blame anyone.
Use Your Support System
You need to build on your support networks and develop new ones if necessary. Find a therapist, join a group meeting, or get a sponsor for yourself. Have at least one person you can count on in times of need. The road to recovery is not easy. It involves a lot of uncertainty. You need to attend family counseling sessions and speak with your spouse about your condition if you are married. Your spouse will benefit from professional help as well.
Take Some Time Off Work
If possible, take at least one week off work and do not drink during that time. You can use this time to concentrate on your recovery and avoid the temptation of drinking alcohol at every moment of the day. Work stress may be one of your triggers, and it will keep you from doing your recovery correctly.
Contact Your Doctor
Withdrawal symptoms can be very brutal. You do not want to gamble with your health, and you must be wary of the symptoms of withdrawal. You may experience vomiting, increased sweating, tremors, headaches, muscle cramps, and seizures. You need to contact your doctor and ask for help. You want to ensure that the situation does not get worse.
Avoid People And Situations That Make You Drink
Avoid people and situations that make you drink. Do not go to social gatherings, clubs, or bars while trying to quit drinking. By avoiding these places, you will keep yourself away from triggers and enable yourself to recover much faster. Your recovery depends on your willingness to follow a healthy lifestyle. The only way to stop drinking is through self-mastery and control. This process is not that easy, but you will stop drinking if you do everything in your power. In conclusion, if you want to stop drinking, you should know that the decision to quit can be a very difficult one. People who quit drinking must face many problems and hardships.
However, it is not impossible, and you can get over your addiction with time. You may be afraid that you will suffer from withdrawals and other painful conditions, but you do not want to be an alcoholic for the rest of your life. Call 772-266-5320 for professional help.
