Alcoholism
Tayyab explains how to quit consuming alcohol.
Alcoholism is one of the most commonly prevalent problems that most people are struggling with, yet it is the trickiest one to deal with. Consumption of alcohol, especially when it is consumed beyond a given limit, can have detrimental effects on your physical and mental health. Moreover, the habit itself can be extremely addictive and a difficult one to quit. Despite all the demerits of alcohol, it is still legalized in most societies and is quickly and widely available for purchase.
Unfortunately, alcohol is often associated with social norms and class, and it is considered classy and sophisticated to have a taste for fine breweries. For this reason, there is a large number of people in our society who struggle with alcoholism or alcohol abuse. Of course, not all people who drink are severely alcoholic, and many consumers can restrict their consumption to social gatherings. However, the problem is still widely prevalent as humans are not strong enough to curb their desires to have more. Often, in a bid to satisfy the thirst for more, they end up in a trap of addiction.
Stress and depression are also other major reasons why many people end up being an alcoholic. Since overconsumption of alcohol can make you high, and it is also easily and legally available, many people find solace in alcohol as a coping strategy when they are struggling with pain, sorrow, or stress. Peer pressure is also one of the major reasons why many young adults end up being alcohol addicts.
When a person becomes severely alcoholic, they do not only make it difficult for themself but also for their family and friends. Besides having serious health effects such as heart conditions, liver and kidney failures, etc., an alcoholic person also tends to lose control over his mind and senses. As a result, alcoholic people are commonly seen as loud people with disoriented thoughts, who even end up losing their ability to work efficiently and often face social isolation. Alcoholism can also lead to further mental health issues such as Schizophrenia.
If you feel you are struggling with alcohol abuse, or if you have a loved one around you who is struggling with this condition, it is best to quit drinking as soon as possible. While many people wish to stop drinking, they are often clueless about how is it possible to do so, and the general perception is that it is next to impossible to deal with the issue. Quitting alcohol, just like leaving any other habit, can be difficult but not impossible. However, the amount of effort that you need to put into stopping depends on how seriously addicted you are. Nevertheless, regardless of the degree of your alcohol addiction, quitting it is not impossible and can be quickly done if you follow these tips.
Find Your Willpower
The very first step towards quitting a habit is to have the willingness and determination to do so. Nothing can help you do something if you are not willing to do it yourself. The same applies to alcoholism. Find the willingness and determination to quit the habit within yourself. Tell yourself how badly your addiction is affecting you and your loved ones and how you can improve your quality of life if you can come out of it. If the victim is one of your loved ones, then speak to him and convince him to be determined. Many people lose their determination because they feel they are too weak. Speak to them and assure them that they can not only do it but will be able to live a happier and healthier life once they quit successfully.
The Right Support
When one tries to quit a habit that he has been severely addicted to, he is most likely to struggle with withdrawal symptoms. This is perfectly normal. What is essential to understand is that at this point, the right kind of physical, mental, and emotional support is the key to successfully letting this phase pass. Find a support group of people who are also in your boat and are trying to quit the habit. Listen to their stories. Talk to people who have already quit it successfully. This will encourage you to keep going without losing your determination. If you have a loved one who is struggling with a problem, talk to him and offer him all the support and assurance that he needs.
Know Your Triggers
Identifying the triggers that tempt and trigger you to make yourself a peck, and avoiding those situations can help you to a great extent. If you are tempted to have a drink every time you are alone, then avoid being alone and surround yourself with people who will support you in your journey. Likewise, if a stressful situation triggers you to use alcohol as a coping strategy, avoid such situations.
Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle
Quitting alcohol is not only about quitting a single habit, but is also about overhauling your entire lifestyle. You will need to fix your routines and adopt a healthy lifestyle Go to bed early and go for a morning run as soon as you wake up. You may also enroll in a fitness training program or Yoga classes. Eat healthily and add more green vegetables and fresh fruits to your diet.
Rehab
In cases where the addiction is too strong, the habit is too old, or if the person is too weak to make an effort, it is highly recommended to opt for an alcohol rehab clinic. Often people are reluctant to go to rehab because of negative connotations and societal taboos attached to rehab. The fact is that a good rehabilitation centre has trained professionals and an effective and healthy environment with the right support system, which helps you come out of your habit. One of the major reasons why most alcohol addicts keep going back to their old habits is that they either fail to find the right support and environment, or they fail to cut off the triggers and the negativity that pulls them down. Rehabs keep you away from all your triggers and provide you with a conducive environment that helps you forget your past, come out as a new person, and make you able and motivated enough to give your life a fresh kick start.
Page Reference
If you quote information from this page in your work, then the reference for this page is:
- TAYYAB, M. (2019) Alcoholism [WWW] Available from: https://www.brianmac.co.uk/articles/article447.htm [Accessed
About the Author
Mr. Tayyab is a freelance journalist who writes about nutrition and minerals to help athletes.