10 Steps to Overcome Alcohol Addiction
For some people, AUD has hurt their relationships, careers, health, finances, self-esteem, and other aspects of their lives. That said, there are four general stages of recovery, as compiled by addiction expert Steven M. Melemis, MD. These stages can help prevent relapse and support people to live healthier, fuller lives. Once you’ve made the decision to change, the next step is establishing clear drinking goals. The more specific, realistic, and clear your goals, the better. Are you ready to quit drinking or cut down to healthier levels?
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The process involves identifying safe spaces or people to confide in and expressing your struggles and goals. Participating in group therapy or individual counseling allows deeper exploration and shared experiences. Group therapy or a support group can help during rehab and help Drug rehabilitation you stay on track as life gets back to normal.
How to Plan an Alcohol Intervention
But among the factors that are within our control, like diet and lifestyle choices, drinking alcohol may have a profound impact on our chances of developing cancer. Relative to those who have less than one drink per week, men who have two or more drinks per day increase their lifetime risk of cancer by 3.1%, and that number goes up to 5.3% for women. Importantly we help you understand that you are not giving anything up. Overall, stopping drinking can lead to a healthier and happier lifestyle.
Take some time to explore your relationship with alcohol
Whether you want to take a break from drinking or you’re quitting alcohol for keeps, bring in some pros to help. If you don’t have a regular doctor, see a primary care provider or visit a free health clinic near you. The NIAAA also offers pointers about resources for low- and no-cost treatment and support options, like getting in touch with your state’s agency for substance abuse help. If you’re living with https://ecosoberhouse.com/ alcohol use disorder, quitting drinking is important for your health.
- Remind yourself of why you want to cut back, talk to a friend about it and distract yourself with a hobby or exercise, the NIAAA suggests.
- Serving others allows your mind to take a break from your own struggle and refocus your thoughts.
- They may help youquit drinking, but most of these apps haven’t been medically reviewed.
- Call our hotline at fill out the form at the bottom of this page to start your journey toward recovery today.
Alcohol Withdrawal: How to Get Through It
- Before the top tips a few celebrities who have freed themselves from addiction with Allen Carr’s Easyway.
- As long as you use a drug-free method that also ensures that you understand the psychological aspects of alcohol addiction – these tips will help you.
- Finding an organization or community group where you can give back to other people is another valuable tool in recovery.
- Alcoholism affects many people around the world regardless of age, race, culture, or circumstances.
- The initial couple of days may be the worst to get through, but it gets easier to manage these symptoms with time.
BGB, as her clients and colleagues call her, is an advocate of “removing the stigma” and normalizing the therapeutic process. She incorporates cultural relevance and non-traditional interventions and strategies to strengthen her clients’ steps towards goals of behavioral, emotional, social and mental wellness. Following the successful completion of how to overcome alcoholism an alcohol rehabilitation program, it is important to find avenues of continued support to improve chances of avoiding relapse and remaining sober. For many, maintaining sobriety is a lifelong process that requires commitment, self-compassion, and patience—all of which may benefit from ongoing support via aftercare services. Some of the more commonly utilized aftercare services include 12-Step meetings (AA), regular sessions with a counselor or therapist, sober living residences, and non-12-Step groups like SMART Recovery. Before you quit drinking, it is essential to discuss your plans with a healthcare practitioner.
- However, it may be more challenging for people who live with alcohol use disorder (AUD) than someone who casually drinks.
- Even a small bit of progress, such as the moment you first acknowledged your addiction problem, can fuel your recovery.
- Within just a month of not drinking, your body can begin to reap the benefits.
- Avoiding external and internal temptations may require an individual temporarily distancing themself from certain people or events and deep reflections on urges that arise from within.
If negative thoughts are coupled with the urge to drink, then positive thoughts should be connected with action. Finding astress outletto replace the tendency to drink can greatly aid your recovery. Exercise or various relaxation techniques can help you move towards positive change. The support groups, counselors and types of treatment you undertake can be informed by your personality and how you respond to different kinds of care. For example, if you are a highly social person, getting plugged into an activesupport groupmay strengthen and encourage you. It can be difficultstaying motivated to overcome alcoholism, yet change is possible.