Many people don't realize that they have a drinking problem. Sometimes drinking a bottle of beer after a hard day's work, meeting friends in a bar on Friday, lifting a glass for your health on vacation - is that really an addiction? No, but this behavior can develop into alcoholism. Even a rare drink, alcohol, is seriously damaging to your health. How do you stop drinking? In this article, we're going to share effective and easy ways to stop drinking quickly.
signs of alcoholism
- Alcohol-free parties are no fun.
- The person starts drinking alone.
- When he's sober, he feels constant fear and discomfort.
- Refraining from alcohol for several days in a row is torture.
- Non-drinkers are confusing.
- After severe poisoning, a person does not remember anything.
If you find two or more signs, you should think about possible problems.
Stages of alcoholism
First stage
Main functions:
- The amount of alcohol that an alcoholic consumes is constantly increasing. The body becomes highly resilient.
- The gag reflex disappears.
- The person starts drinking alone.
- There is a desire to drink at the wrong moment.
- The memory is running out.
- A person makes scandals at home and argues with colleagues.
- Interest in important matters disappears.
- If you don't drink for a while, the cravings for alcohol go away.
- It's difficult to be in control of the amount you drink.
The second stage of alcoholism
At this stage, the alcoholic becomes more loyal to strong drinks and increases the dose without even realizing it.
Main functions:
- The behavior of an alcoholic is difficult to predict, sometimes even dangerous for others and yourself.
- The physiological dependence increases. In the morning a person has a severe hangover, it is more difficult for them to work during the day.
- Nausea, blood pressure rises, heart rate rises, arms and legs tremble, fever rises.
- He finds it difficult to deal with external stimuli such as bright lights or loud noises.
- The alcoholic has a gloomy mood and constantly feels tension.
- He begins to raise his hand to those who are close to him.
- The intellect deteriorates, it becomes difficult to focus attention.
- The patient realizes that he is made worse by drinking alcohol, but cannot fight the addiction.
The third stage of alcoholism
What changes are characteristic of the third stage? Main features:
- An alcoholic drinks alcohol practically every day.
- Noticeable deterioration in personality.
- Pathological mental changes.
- Grade 3 alcoholism is also associated with the following diseases:
- Cirrhosis of the liver.
- Alcoholic indurative pancreatitis.
- Alcoholic gastritis.
- Alcoholic cardiomyopathy.
- Alcoholic neuropathy.
- Psychological changes manifest themselves in hallucinations and delusions.
An easy way to stop drinking on your own
Find a substitute for alcohol
You have to take some time to do this. It is advisable that the hobby has nothing to do with alcohol. This is the most effective and easiest way to stop drinking yourself. It is best to find an activity that completely surrounds you - sports, dancing, acting. When you find something you like, after a while you realize that the next day is going to be difficult, even if you drink little. Then you will want to get rid of that discomfort, and alcohol will be forgotten.
Chat with other people
Are you mainly friends with fun-loving people who don't mind having a few drinks on Friday and beyond? Are you wondering if there is anything other than parties that bind you to them? If not, nothing catastrophic will happen in your life from losing these people.
According to reviews, communication helps get rid of alcoholism. Communicate with non-drinking friends, preferably those who set an example for you. Then when you look at them, you will want to be the same, and this is an incentive for change.
Don't test your willpower - don't agree to sit in a bar with friends with soda when everyone is drinking. You will definitely be offered a drink, and in order not to look boring, you will most likely agree.
Praise yourself
Alcohol is expensive. Therefore, giving up can save you a lot of money. Use them to buy something that you dreamed of but couldn't afford. This will be a reward for quitting the bad habit.
Stop smoking
When you are sad, you just want to sit on the windowsill, smoke and have a glass of wine. Smokers should also avoid nicotine. Tobacco and alcohol always go hand in hand.
Don't give up alcohol forever
Be easy about what happens. Don't say goodbye to alcohol forever. Otherwise, there is a risk that you will quickly fall into a depression, and in a moment of weakness you will resolve yourself.
Make sure you reduce your addiction, but this abstinence isn't forever. You can resume drinking when you are in control of the situation.
What do you have to think about when fighting alcoholism at home?
- Alcoholism develops slowly. The disease can be noticed at an early stage and stopped immediately.
- With the second and third stage alcoholism, health, freshness, beauty and youth are lost. Alcoholics begin to destroy relationships with others.
- With the right fight against alcoholism, it can be completely overcome. The ex-patient can afford a couple of glasses on vacation without breaking down.
- If an alcoholic breaks loose, he shouldn't blame himself. Don't be depressed and self-loathing. Everything happens gradually, the next time it will be easier.