In the life of any thinking person who finds himself in a prolonged situation of alcohol abuse, there comes a borderline stage when he asks the questions, what should he do and how to stop drinking? For radical change to occur, doubts and thoughts alone are not enough, they must be supported by a firm determination to carry out our plans. If it was that simple, then the question of how to stop drinking alcohol forever, or even just how to stop drinking beer, would not be so acute in front of millions of people. However, this is possible and the examples of those lucky ones who managed to get out of this vicious circle serve as confirmation.
What is alcoholism?
Experts say that alcoholism is not only addictive but also a serious illness. It has a somatic character, due to which both psychological and physiological dependence on strong drinks is formed. In addition, alcoholism is a personal, social and even economic problem that affects many. The disease cripples not only the fates and bodies of alcoholics, but also the lives of their loved ones.
Separately, it should be said about beer alcoholism, as too many are wondering how to give up drinking beer. Although this drink is weak, it is quite insidious. As this rarely leads to serious alcoholism, most do not consider it dangerous, but it is often impossible for many to give up drinking beer.
This beer contains a sedative hop extract. That is why many people feel the urge for this drink during times of stress. But remember that this is still an alcoholic beverage, in addition rich in phytoestrogens (an analogue of female sex hormones). And since beer lovers are often men, this hobby does not go unnoticed for them. They usually show signs of feminization (muscle weakening, breast enlargement, distribution of fat in the female body), so it is important to stop drinking beer before these problems occur.
Causes of the disease
Despite the opinion of scientists that in some cases alcohol dependence is caused by hereditary predisposition, no one born is doomed to become an alcoholic. After all, drunks are not born, they get up. And everyone has their own way of falling into this trap. In this way, someone copes with the problems in personal life, the loss of a loved one, and someone, in order to enter this vicious circle, "helps" a cheerful company of drinkers.
Some drink out of boredom to kill time, others - for courage, to get rid of some fears or to become calmer in the company. But whatever the reason that drives a person to drink alcohol, the result is always the same - ruined life, health, broken relationships with loved ones, broken families, career, moral and mental degradation of the individual.
Depression can also cause alcoholism.
Stages of pathology
There are several stages in the development of alcohol dependence.
- A person who drinks, despite an increased thirst for alcohol, has not yet developed a physical addiction, which means that he does not have a withdrawal syndrome. But it is difficult for him to fight the urge to drink, because he does not understand why he has to give up something that brings a lot of pleasure. In addition, at this stage, many still believe that they have complete control over the process, but this is far from the case. People have an increased tolerance for alcohol, and this often boosts their confidence that "they know how to drink. "At this stage, people drink to the point of memory loss or total eclipses.
- In the second stage, physical dependence on alcohol begins to form and attempts to stop drinking are accompanied by a severe withdrawal syndrome, reminiscent of drug withdrawal. In addition, during this period tolerance reaches its peak, ie alcoholic beverages and does not get drunk. At this stage, a person already needs medical help to overcome the addiction.
- The third stage is characterized by a complete lack of control, mental and psychological degradation of a person when intoxication occurs even from the smallest doses of alcohol. Such a phenomenon is related to the fact that in the stage of increased tolerance a person drinks alcohol in quantities capable of leading the common man to coma and ultimately leads to the fact that the liver stops producing enzymes that break down alcohol.
Since it is possible to give up drinking on your own only in the first stage of addiction, which many "slip away" without understanding the upcoming problem, then you should not feed on illusions and immediately seek professional help. .
The nuances of female alcoholism
Alcoholism is often considered a male problem, but this is by no means the case. Yes, female alcoholism is not so common, which is explained by the specifics of women's psyche: they are more resistant to stress. In addition, society imposes certain stereotypes, and alcohol often becomes a status drink, a kind of sign of masculinity. Therefore, the motivation to drink strong drinks in men is stronger. Under these conditions, women have fewer opportunities to sleep.
But it is much harder for a woman to stop drinking, especially alone. This is facilitated by female physiology: ethanol is broken down slightly worse by the liver and is absorbed much faster in the gut. Due to these features of the body, strong drinks harm women much more. In the first place, reproductive function suffers: women who regularly consume alcohol are more likely to be diagnosed with infertility and children with physical and mental disabilities are born. And since it is very difficult for a woman to give up drinking, it is better for any sane lady to refrain from drinking alcohol in general.
Addiction Recovery Tactics
There are several strategies for eliminating alcohol dependence. Some experts believe that it is necessary to gradually "tie" the dose of alcohol to acceptable levels or to zero. And the obvious advantage of this method is the lack of withdrawal symptoms. But in practice this method is quite difficult to apply due to the high risk of decay and return to heavy drinking. Therefore, the technique is rarely used.
Another method consists of a one-time, complete rejection of alcohol. Its undeniable merit is much less temptation for the patient to return to the previous way of life. However, this technique is not recommended if a person is overeating due to the increased risk of seizures. In this case, the experts first remove a person from soldering and only then introduce a complete taboo on alcohol. It is very important that the choice of this or that method is made by a narcologist and not by the patient or his relatives. Since it is not so easy to give up drinking at home, you do not need to hesitate to visit a doctor.
Avoiding alcohol completely is one of the techniques to stop drinking.
Ways to deal with a harmful disease
Fighting a destructive habit will be pointless until the person realizes that he is ill and needs help. Only such people refuse to drink once and for all. But most alcoholics do not adequately evaluate their behavior and believe that there is no problem and can "give up" alcohol at any time. Because the problem is obvious to the environment, loved ones may force them to stop drinking forever by morally pressuring them or trying to cure them cunningly.
But no matter what drugs are given to such a person, no matter how good psychologists work with them, the result will be predictable - the patient will not be able to give up drinking for a long time and sooner or later will disintegrate, returning toaddiction. Without an inner attitude to change everything, any action will be useless.
There are many ways to help those who are determined to quit drinking to get rid of alcoholism. But there is no one-size-fits-all method. Because all people are different and come to addiction in different ways, they come out of this trap in different ways. Of course, the will should not be underestimated, as there are those who have managed to give up drinking on their own. But there aren't many of them, because mostly those people who don't have an iron will are slipping into alcoholism.
Also remember that the decision to quit drinking is the result of clear thinking and for many years alcoholism ethanol disrupts the natural processes in the NA and many such people do not have the purely physical ability to make such a decision. But that's just one side of the coin. The other is that alcohol causes physical dependence and abrupt withdrawal from alcohol can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
Psychological techniques
They will be useful for anyone who gives up alcohol, whether he has taken this path alone or with the help of a narcologist. The first thing a person needs to do is analyze the factors that have led him to addiction. The first priority is to avoid such provoking factors. Then you need to concentrate on the following.
Find your call
Often a person starts drinking to smooth out the contrast between the real state of affairs and his expectations, ambitions and inability to fully realize. This is another reason for men to be addicted to alcohol. Ultimately, the issues of self-realization and status come first for them.
Changing an activity or job can help. But don't underestimate hobbies and hobbies. It is necessary to find a hobby that completely captivates, leaving almost no free time not only to drink but also to think about it. The options for hobbies are endless, but in this regard it is important to understand that success in any field does not appear immediately, therefore satisfaction with the process itself is very important.
Reject the previous round and minimize temptations
Naturally, there should be no alcohol in the addict's house. You cannot leave any drinks for guests and hiding. What's more, beer shouldn't even be tempting, as most of them can't stop drinking beer. The problem is that many people do not take their beer addiction seriously.
Also, there should be no empty bottles in the home of a person who refuses to drink, as nothing should be reminiscent of the past. All these nuances must be remembered by those around him. Relatives have a duty to help anyone who quits alcohol in any way possible, and if he himself sees that they or his friends are returning to addiction, then it is worth changing the circle of friends or limiting interaction with such people at least temporarily.
To stop drinking, you need to throw all the alcohol out of the house.
The addict should not visit places where alcohol can be offered (banquets, parties) and in the beginning it is better to bypass the points of sale of alcohol. In the first stage of the fight, the will of the thrower is still very weak, so he does not need unnecessary temptations.
Self-promotion
It's also important to reward yourself for giving up alcohol. Instead of buying another bottle, you can enjoy something you simply didn't have enough money for before. You can also have a separate piggy bank and fill it every time you want to buy a drink. As a rule, after a month of such an experiment, a person is literally crushed by the amount saved.
Communication
Harmony with other people and comfortable communication are a great tool against alcoholism. Sometimes it is enough to just realize how much easier and more constructive it is to communicate with people in a sober state than in a state of altered consciousness to make things go smoothly. That is why there are many groups that support alcoholics, where you can not only share your story, but also get the necessary support.
Medicines
Pharmaceutical companies systematically supply the market with drugs for alcohol dependence. But you must understand that these are not magic pills, from the intake of which alcoholism disappears by itself. They are only an aid for those who have embarked on a difficult path to self-medication, and help not to turn away from it.
There are two types of drugs used: some cause aversion to alcohol, and others help to get rid of physical dependence on alcohol. The first group of drugs is suitable for people who have never had a particularly pronounced hangover syndrome and are therefore quickly addicted to alcohol.
In the second case, in case of severe physical dependence on alcohol, benzodiazepines are prescribed, which act on the same receptors as ethanol. But the course of their reception should be short, because instead of alcohol dependence can become even more dangerous dependence on psychotropic drugs.
Folk remedies
The most popular way to cleanse the body of alcohol toxins is the oat infusion. To prepare it, pour 1 cup of oats with 5 cups of boiling water and leave for at least 3 hours. Drink it 0, 5 cups before meals, 5 times a day.
Aversion to alcohol helps to cause such a simple drug as thyme infusion. To get the product, you need 15 g of herbs, pour 500 ml of boiling water and leave for 15 minutes. Use the infusion of 50 ml of the product per 15 ml of vodka.
St. John's wort decoction has the same properties. It is prepared according to the following scheme: 4 tablespoons of herbs are poured with 500 ml of hot water and the product is kept in a water bath for at least half an hour. The finished broth is taken twice a day for 2 weeks.
The influence of diet and lifestyle in pathology
Nutrition and physical activity are equally important during the period of alcohol withdrawal. For the thirsty person it is important to adhere to the drinking regime (water helps to detoxify the body) and drink 2-2, 5 liters of water per day. It is also worth paying attention to the diet and to introduce products that stimulate the synthesis of endorphins and serotonin (fresh fruits, chocolate, meat), containing B vitamins (legumes, fish, eggs). At the same time it is necessary to adhere to moderation in food and to limit fatty, spicy and salty, as long-term alcohol consumption is associated with the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system.
Introducing sport into such a person's life is just as important. Even a simple walk will stimulate the release of endorphins and if you add to it exercises, yoga, jogging, it will significantly strengthen not only the body but also the nervous system. However, when choosing physical activity, you must take into account the general state of human health - in some cases, sports may be contraindicated.