Overcoming Alcohol Addiction6116254

How to Stop Alcoholism and Start Treatment

Battling alcoholism and overcoming it can be a roller coaster of emotions and events. Although at times you may feel like it is not possible, it truly is. No matter how bad your alcoholism is or out of hand the addiction is, you have the will power to overcome it and become clean. Do not wait for recovery until you are in your lowest you can be. Decide to make the change today and get started on recovery to a new you.

Step 1 for Alcohol Addiction Treatment: Commitment

Most likely you will not decide one day that you are going to stop drinking alcohol. It usually takes a process of days, weeks, months or even years in the worst cases. In the beginning of understanding you are addicted to alcohol you may struggle with denial. Your head will fill with excuses and reason why you feel it is ok when you know it is not. Of you are having a difficult time deciding that it is time to stop drinking, it may be beneficial to look at the benefits and the costs from stopping your addiction.

There are several ways in taking a look at the benefit of drinking and not drinking in addition to the cost impact of drinking. Many alcoholics justify that the benefits of drinking include that it is entertainment and enjoyable, they forget about the negatives of life and it is a way to unwind at the end of the day. Now when you take a look at those benefits, it is healthy to look at the benefits of not drinking which can include most likely an improvement in your relationships, you would be mentally and physically healthier and you would have a lot more open time for family and activities.

This benefit comparison also can be looked at with the costs of drinking verse the costs of not drinking. Many alcoholics justify the costs of drinking are that it has made negative problems in many relationships, continue to feel ashamed and embarrassed, and it interferes with their career and family life. Many individuals that have a drinking problem will also justify that there are negative benefits of not drinking as well such as not being able to deal with stress, lose a friend they drink with and face reality.

Step 2 for Alcohol Addiction Treatment: Make Goals and Get Ready for Change

When you have taken the step into recovery and admitted that you need to stop excessive drinking, it is time to make some solid goals. They need to be clear, concise and obtainable goals. These may include with making a goal of how many drinks per week you can have or make a goal of only drinking on specific days. Also you can set a goal of when you are going to stop drinking and being working towards the other goals set. If you do not put a date on the goal of when to start, you will never know when recovery begins.

When you have set obtainable goals you need to evaluate how you are going to meet them, this may include getting rid of all temptations such as alcohol, bottle openers and drinking mugs or cups. Make sure to tell your family and close friends that you are on the path to recovery and ask them for any support they can spare. Stay away from old drinking buddies that may have a bad influence on you and do not enter environments such as bars, clubs or restaurants that may tempt you in purchasing a beverage.

Stop Drinking or Cut Back?

It may be confusing when trying to stop drinking alcohol to understand if it is ok to just cut back on drinking or stop entirely “cold turkey”. This really all depends on your specific situation and severity of your addiction. If you are out of control and your drinking has taken over your life (alcoholism) then you need to stop drinking entirely. If you want to cut back on drinking because you are concerned about your health and just binge drink to often, then just cutting back on drinking may be ok.

Step 3 for Alcohol Treatment: Reach Sobriety Safely

Everyone’s drinking situation is unique so you may or may not need medical attention in order to stop your drinking habits. There may be a period of withdrawals from alcohol because you body has become dependent on the substance. Some symptoms that may occur will include headaches, restlessness, shaking, anxiety, sweating, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, elevated blood pressure and heart rate and trouble concentrating and sleeping. It typically takes 3-5 days to completely overcome withdrawal, peaking on day one or two. Make sure if you feel the severity of the withdrawal needs medical attention that you go to a treatment center before you stop drinking so they can monitor you and give you any medical treatment if needed.

Step 4 for Alcohol Treatment: Find the New You

Once you have reach sobriety and have stabilized your new life for the better, you need to find your new identity and find the new you. Since drinking will no longer be an influence in your daily life you will have to create a new lifestyle.

There are several things to consider when you are finding the new you. This may include taking better care of yourself. In order to battle cravings you need to make sure you are eating right and you are getting the right amount of sleep in addition to getting some exercise in everyday. You may also want to think about whom you are going to be surrounding yourself with. These people need to be a great support system for you and encourage you to stay on track.

It may be difficult to keep your mind off drinking so finding some new activities and hobbies may be key to keeping your mind on the now and future. This may include volunteering or performing some work that gives meaning and allows you to be creative. It is very important to continue your recovery and treatment through support groups and attending Alcoholics Anonymous. This will help you stay on track and make sure that you are accounted for.

Step 5 for Alcohol Treatment: Dealing with Cravings and Triggers

One of the most difficult things to deal with after recovery is an alcohol craving, especially within the first 6 months of sobriety. A solid alcohol recovery program will prepare you on how to cope with triggers and avoid cravings when they occur. It is very important to avoid anything, at all costs, that will trigger the urge to drink alcohol. Many time specific people, events or places will trigger your cravings for a drink so make sure you avoid them at all times. This may mean you need to change your social circle and avoid certain places that you went to during your addiction. One of the best ways to overcome any situation is practice saying “no” when offered a beverage. It may be awkward first but after awhile you will get use to it and be proud to say how long you have been sober for.

If you are put into a situation that you begin to have the urge to drink, there are several things you can do in order to avoid the craving and move one. Some of these include:

• Call someone that you can trust such as your sponsor, family member or close friend that can talk you through the craving. • Distractions are important for avoidance. A great way to become distracted is listen to music, go for a walk, cook or take on a quick task. • Remind yourself why you no longer are an alcoholic. It is important that you continue to remind yourself the reason behind why you chose sobriety and the consequence that may arise from drinking again.

Step 6 for Alcohol Treatment: Receive Support

No matter what you did in order to reach recovery, whether it was a rehab center or a self-help system; you need to have a solid support system to use as a crutch and encourage you with your sobriety. Treatment from addiction is much more obtainable when you have help from a sponsor, friend or loved one that cares for you.

• Receiving support from a close friend and family member can be that most important source of encouragement possible. It will continue to validate the reason why you are quitting and give you a reason to continue your commitment. • It is always smart to be around others that have chose the same lifestyle, so Alcoholics Anonymous and other social sobriety clubs are a great way to share stories and encourage each other to stay on the path of recovery. • Consider living in a sober living house. This will allow you to have 24/7 support, encouragement and care from others that truly understand what you are going through and how to overcome any trigger that may come your way.

Step 7 for Alcohol Treatment: How to Get Started

There is no easy way to get through treatment and not a single system, program and therapy session that works for everyone. Make sure whatever route you choose to take it can by customized to your needs in addition to tailored to your specific situation. When you are being treated for your alcohol addiction make sure that every aspect is addressed. This includes mental health, career, relationships and physical health. Alcoholism impacts every part of your life and understanding how it affected the different aspects may help you learn why you drank in the first place and how to avoid it in the future.

One of the most important things to do when getting started on your journey through alcohol recovery is knowing if you need medical attention and supervision. Many individuals body’s become dependent off the alcohol and may experience severe withdrawals if the stop entirely on their own. With proper supervision and medical attention, the withdrawal experience can be minimalized and make sure you are not put in harms way.

There is nothing more important that staying committed to your new lifestyle. Recovering as an alcoholic can be difficult. Make sure that if you ever need any help that you reach out for help and receive the attention you need. Just remember that there is always someone or something you can turn to for assistance. Whether it is a family member or a hobby to pass the time.

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