The treatment of any form of alcoholism implies the total rejection of alcohol by the patient. The success of therapy is reduced to zero if the patient does not want a person to live in a sober state. Rather, a person's awareness of their own disease is already the first step in achieving remission. Such awareness is the result of very complex work on oneself and requires a lot of time and effort. Therefore, to stop drinking, it is better for a person to consult a doctor.
Reasons to stop drinking alcohol
There are many reasons why a person stops drinking. Among the most significant are:
- the desire to be healthy;
- deterioration of the state of health and development of chronic diseases;
- more attractive appearance in people who do not have problems with alcohol;
- a sober, sharp and unblemished mind, the desire to adequately perceive the surrounding reality;
- high efficiency;
- good attitude at work and an impeccable reputation;
- save money (financial spending on alcohol always occupies a significant part of the budget of an alcoholic person);
- high sexuality, without potency problems in men or menstrual cycle problems in women;
- the presence of force and time (after all, the life of a person who is in an alcoholic network is guided by one desire - to drink);
- excellent mood, joy;
- healthy home environment;
- full, bright and healthy life;
- healthy offspring.
The road to a sober life is very long and difficult. However, a person has a chance to get rid of addiction by following the advice of doctors. The most important thing for this is to have a strong desire to heal and an iron will.
Can a person stop drinking on their own?
Doctors warn: there are no former alcoholics. Alcoholism is an incurable disease. However, the patient always has the opportunity to achieve a stable remission and stop drinking alcohol. The length of the period of sobriety is variable and can range from several months to several decades.
Methods of mental influence on the patient are effective in stopping alcohol consumption. They allow you to inspire the patient with a negative attitude towards alcohol and thus prevent relapse. Subject to a positive result, a strong belief is formed that you can lead a healthy and fulfilling life without drinking a single drop of alcoholic beverages.
The success of alcoholism treatment depends on a large number of factors. The most significant is that the person himself decides whether to drink alcohol or not.
spontaneous remission
It rarely happens that a person spontaneously stops drinking. A certain factor drives this: there is an acceptance of one's illness and then a decision that something must change in one's life.
The main disadvantage of spontaneous remission is indeterminate persistence and spontaneity.
motivational referral
In this case, a person consciously refuses to drink alcohol. Most often, this happens if there is a threat to a person's life. By consciously refusing alcohol, a person also raises a number of financial problems, and also solves the problem of preserving the family.
Gradually, a person comes to the conclusion that a complete rejection of alcohol will allow him to achieve his goals in life and consolidate success. In remission, he is fully convinced that his choice is the right one and is a priority, despite the presence of temptations. Furthermore, each victory over alcohol and the approval of those around you further strengthens a sober position.
forced referral
Not always a person willingly strives for a sober lifestyle. Many people addicted to alcohol do not always understand how harmful their bad habit is. However, circumstances take control. For example, if the director is at work or the spouse, the child puts a person before a choice, he needs to obey. Otherwise, it will show up throughout the life of an alcohol addict.
Forced remission is usually not durable. Also, a person is constantly in a tense state, because he experiences difficulties and inconveniences from such coercion. A collapse after such a remission usually has very serious consequences.
somatogenic remission
If a person finds out about a sharp deterioration in health, he usually stops drinking alcohol. The most common situation is when a patient needs to give up alcohol in the context of delirium tremens.
In addition, alcoholics fear the consequences of a serious illness experienced (for example, a heart attack or stroke). Against the background of negative emotions, they completely lose their attraction to alcohol. Awareness of the harm of alcohol, albeit late, forms a new attitude: survival is a higher priority than alcohol consumption and short-term intoxication.
psychogenic remission
This variant of alcohol withdrawal is associated with somatogenic remission. When a person finds out what he did while drunk, he experiences a great shock. In a state of shame at his actions, he decides to stop drinking.
There can be many of those reasons. Most of the time it is:
- traffic accidents due to drunkenness;
- an attempt on the life of their own children;
- violence.
Such remission is unstable and short-lived. Sometimes a strong trigger works in the opposite direction and the person begins to drink even more. In a state of alcoholic forgetfulness, suicide is not ruled out.
Post-intoxication remission
The nature of this referral could not be fully established. It is typical of people who chronically abuse alcoholic beverages. One day they stop drinking and do not discuss this decision.
Doctors suggest that at some point poisoning with ethyl alcohol and its decomposition products reaches a critical limit. At this time, the biochemical processes in the brain change, and an aversion to alcoholic beverages appears. It is noteworthy that the taste, smell of alcohol suddenly becomes unpleasant. Even small doses cause nausea and vomiting.
Remission after intoxication is relatively stable. However, relapses are not excluded when, against the background of a sober lifestyle, a person's state of health improves markedly.
Advice for people who want to stop drinking
Not all people who have previously abused alcoholic beverages can easily endure a state of sobriety. Some have a painful craving for alcohol, a desire to immediately skip a "glass or two. "For those who have firmly and confidently embarked on a sober path, this advice may help.
- You need to contact a specialized clinic. Here, specialists will select an individual treatment plan and prescribe effective medications if necessary. Psychologists and rehabilitation specialists will help you get out of binge eating, cleanse your body and develop a persistent negative attitude towards ethanol use.
- If you want to stop drinking, that's half the battle. The patient must recognize the presence of the disease. If possible, the alcohol problem should be discussed with loved ones.
- The patient must leave all ties with people with whom he drank and who were tolerant of his addiction.
- Throw away all alcoholic beverages at home. This will make it much easier to avoid temptation. If there is a calm reaction towards people who drink alcohol, this is already a success.
- You need to be prepared for the fact that withdrawal symptoms will develop during the refusal of alcohol. At the same time, various psychophysiological disorders will be tormented. The urge to take them off can be very strong. At this time, it is important not to succumb to weakness. Dealing with withdrawal symptoms on your own is very difficult, so you have to trust the experts.
- You should read the literature on various aspects of alcoholism. It is important to avoid sources of doubtful origin. Any questions can be discussed with the doctor.
- The daily routine should include different types of physical activity. It is important to eat well and fully, as well as rest. It is ideal for learning to avoid stress, or at least not to react to it.
- Some can be helped by moving, communicating with other people.
- An interesting hobby will improve the emotional background. Some people find it helpful to have a career change, volunteering, and outdoor activities.
- At meetings, on vacation, you need to look for an alternative to alcoholic beverages, which, unfortunately, have become traditional. Even one cocktail party can derail all previous efforts.
There is no single method to stop drinking. Every alcohol addict should look for the most suitable option. In order to avoid relapse and achieve a positive effect, it is important to contact specialists.