By Arina Smith
Alcoholism isn’t just a bad habit, it’s a disease. And you’re not alone. Almost 27% of the United States population reported that they engaged in “binge drinking” within the last month.
Another indicator is using alcohol as your primary way to treat stress and anxiety.
You know it’s time to quit. But if you’ve ever tried before, you know how hard it can be to stay away from alcohol.
Read on for our top tips on how to stop drinking alcohol for the last time.
1. How to Stop Drinking? Admit It’s a Problem!
The first step to quitting drinking forever is to admit 2 things:
- You have a problem
- You need help fixing it
Once you’re able to admit these things to yourself, it will be easier not only to seek solutions but to ask for the help you need to permanently heal.
2. Identify What You Lose When You Drink:
You may have many reasons to quit drinking. Maybe there’s just one.
But an important step in your recovery process is to identify what you give up every time you drink.
It can range from the more practical losses like money and health to more emotional losses of time with family members and friends. Alcohol costs people a lot, maybe you see your reason to quit below:
- Time with family
- Physical health
- Hobbies
- Money
- Meaningful relationships formed on trust and respect
- Self-respect
It would be impossible to list all the tolls that an addiction to alcohol takes. The important thing is to identify your reasons and remind yourself of those reasons when you’re tempted to relapse.
3. Sobriety Becomes Priority #1
You’re allowed to prioritize your sobriety over friends, social gatherings, events, and even certain family members.
If there are people, circumstances, or places that compromise your ability to stay sober then remove them from your life.
4. Share Your Journey:
Don’t travel the sobriety road alone. Share your journey with the people in your life that you love.
They will be your greatest support system as you undergo the challenges and discomforts of withdrawals and initial changes.
Do you have a few close family members and friends that you trust? Ask 3 or 4 people to be on a list that you call, text, contact when you’re having a hard time. Use that list when you’ve exhausted other forms of self-control. Call or text the people on your list for help.
By sharing your journey you may find out that someone within your family or friends is also on the path to sobriety.
Having a network of people to call on for help will increase your likelihood of success.
5. Get Professional Help:
This is absolutely one of the most essential parts of healing from an addiction to alcohol.
If alcoholism has ever made you unable to work, have meaningful relationships, or has ever lead to harm (of yourself or others) then you should consider rehab.
Find a rehab that will help you begin your journey of healing.
Rehab may not be necessary for your specific situation, so if you have questions, see your primary care physician for their recommendation.
They may recommend outpatient or holistic services like therapy or counseling to begin.
However you seek help, just remember, you have nothing to lose by asking for help. There are people whose entire professional and educational experience was to prepare you to heal. Use them.
Your New Life Starts Today:
Your journey to sobriety can start today. You know how to stop drinking.
Take one of these steps today and start enjoying the fullness that your life has to offer. You don’t have to miss another moment.
Have questions or want to learn more? Check out our lifestyle blog today.
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