Do you ever think to yourself that perhaps it’s time to quit drinking? Maybe you’ve managed to skate by unnoticed at work, and for the most part, been able to keep up with appearances. Maybe your family member has expressed concerns about your patterns, but you never wanted to believe them.
But how can you stop drinking because, in essence, it is much easier to overindulge and grow addicted to alcohol than it is to quit drinking, right? Quitting would mean owning up to that thing you said, or that thing you did. It would mean making apologies, trying new things, and changing your way of life. You may hear all of the difficulty and the challenge written in those words, and it is true, that will come, but also contained within those words, within a life of pursuing sobriety, is hope.
Alcohol Use and Alcohol Dependence
Understanding the dangers as well as the signs and symptoms of alcohol abuse and its impact on overall life and society at large can help you make healthier choices and eventually quit drinking. Alcohol dependence affects people from all walks of life and has profound negative effects, especially on the brain, as well as the heart, pancreas, liver, and immune system.
Despite its negative impact, alcohol continues to be one of the causes of preventable death, followed closely by tobacco, a poor diet, and living a sedentary lifestyle. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 15 million people struggle with an alcohol use disorder, and at least 88,000 people die each year from alcohol-related deaths.
Do you suspect that you might be struggling with an alcohol use disorder?
Here are the warning signs to look out for:
- Sub-par or worse performance at work or school
- Engaging in risky behaviors: drunk driving, sexual promiscuity, and the resulting legal problems
- Experiencing temporary blackouts or memory loss after drinking
- Continuing to drink despite health issues like liver or heart disease including diabetes that is made worse by alcohol
- Failed interventions from family members and friends who are worried about your drinking
- Making excuses for drinking like to help deal with stress, to relax or feel normal
- Choosing to drink instead of following through with responsibilities
- Distancing yourself from people which may result to drinking in secrecy
If you exhibit any of the abovementioned warning signs that detect potential alcohol abuse, don’t stop alcohol use abruptly because depending on the severity you may put your life at risk. You may need to attend a detox facility or call in a professional to safely detox from the comfort of your own home.
Alcohol abuse can begin to impact a person’s life negatively and tends to spiral out of control quickly if left unaddressed. Of course, signing up for a treatment program is an excellent place to start, as they can assist you with all of the following, but until then, here are a few tips to help you quit drinking:
- Before you can successfully kick alcohol to the curb, you must first take the time to discover why you no longer need it in your life anymore
- Accept that you have a problem and realize you have control over what enters your body. By so doing, you empower yourself, not your addiction
- Recognize and admit your weaknesses when it comes to alcohol and enact change. For example, you may want to avoid going to bars, or being around any alcoholic beverage, and cleaning out your home of all temptations. Remember, you’re only weak if you give weakness a foothold.
- When you catch yourself in the throes of “a happy drinking memory,” stop for a moment and play that memory all the way through and remember how it felt when you woke up the next day. Use that feeling to fuel your determination to quit drinking
- Reaffirm the benefits you will notice in your life from quitting drinking
- Seek help from family and counseling support groups for a judgment-free, supportive environment
- Contact us today to get started on your treatment journey!
