Treatment of any form of alcoholism involves the complete refusal of the patient from alcohol. The success of therapy is reduced to zero if the patient has no desire for a person to live in a state of sobriety. On the contrary, a person's awareness of his own illness is already the first step towards achieving remission. Such awareness is the result of very complex work on oneself and requires a lot of time and effort. Therefore, in order to stop drinking, it is best for a person to consult a doctor.
Reasons to stop drinking alcohol
There are many reasons why a person stops drinking. Among the most significant are:
- the desire to be healthy;
- deterioration in health status and the development of chronic diseases;
- more attractive appearance in people who do not have problems with alcohol;
- a sober, sharp and unsullied mind, the desire to adequately perceive the surrounding reality;
- high efficiency;
- good attitude at work and an impeccable reputation;
- saving money (financial spending on alcohol always takes a significant share in the budget of an alcoholic person);
- high sexuality, no problems with potency in men or the menstrual cycle in women;
- the presence of strength and time (after all, the life of a person who is in an alcoholic web is guided by one desire - to drink);
- excellent state of mind, cheerfulness;
- healthy atmosphere at home;
- full, bright and healthy life;
- healthy offspring.
The path to a sober life is very long and difficult. However, a person has a chance to get rid of addiction by following the advice of doctors. The most important thing for this is to have a strong desire to be cured and an iron will.
Can a person stop drinking on their own?
Doctors warn: there are no former alcoholics. Alcoholism is an incurable disease. However, the patient always has a chance to achieve a stable remission and stop drinking alcohol. The duration of the sobriety period is variable and can range from several months to several decades.
Methods of mental influence on the patient are effective for stopping alcohol consumption. They allow you to inspire the patient with a negative attitude towards alcohol and thereby prevent relapse. Subject to a positive outcome, a strong belief is formed that he can lead a healthy and fulfilling life without drinking a single drop of alcoholic beverages.
Successful treatment of alcoholism depends on a large number of factors. The most significant is that the person himself decides whether to drink alcohol or not.
Spontaneous remission
It rarely happens that a person stops drinking spontaneously. A certain factor pushes for this: there is an acceptance of one’s own disease, and then a decision that something needs to be changed in one’s life.
The main disadvantage of spontaneous remission is indeterminate persistence and spontaneity.
Motivational Remission
In this case, a person consciously refuses to drink alcohol. More often this happens if there is a threat to a person's life. Consciously refusing alcohol, a person also raises a number of financial issues, and also solves the problem of preserving the family.
Gradually, a person comes to the conclusion that a complete rejection of alcohol will allow him to achieve his goals in life and consolidate success. In remission, he is fully convinced that his choice is the right one and is a priority, despite the presence of temptations. Moreover, each victory over alcohol and the approval of the people around him further strengthens a sober position.
Forced remission
Not always a person strives for a sober lifestyle voluntarily. Many people who are addicted to alcohol do not always understand how harmful their bad habit is. However, circumstances take over. For example, if the director is at work or the spouse, the child puts a person before a choice, he needs to obey. Otherwise, it will be displayed throughout the life of an alcohol addict.
Forced remission is usually not stable. Moreover, a person is constantly in a tense state, because he experiences hardships and inconveniences from such coercion. A breakdown after such a remission usually has very serious consequences.
Somatogenic remission
If a person learns about a sharp deterioration in health, he usually stops drinking alcohol. The most common situation is when a patient needs to give up alcohol on the background of delirium tremens.
Also, alcoholics are afraid of the consequences of a serious illness experienced (for example, a heart attack or stroke). Against the background of negative emotions, they completely lose their attraction to alcohol. Awareness of the harm of alcohol, albeit belatedly, forms a new attitude: survival is a higher priority than drinking alcohol and short-term intoxication.
Psychogenic remission
This variant of alcohol withdrawal is associated with somatogenic remission. When a person finds out what he did while intoxicated, he experiences a huge shock. In a state of shame for his actions, he decides to stop drinking.
There can be many such reasons. Most often it is:
- traffic accidents due to drunkenness;
- an attempt on the life of their own children;
- violence.
Such a remission is unstable and short-lived. Sometimes a strong trigger works in the opposite direction, and the person begins to drink even more. In a state of alcoholic oblivion, suicide is not ruled out.
Postintoxication remission
The nature of this remission could not be fully established. It is typical for people chronically abusing alcoholic beverages. One day they stop drinking, and they do not argue this decision.
Doctors suggest that at some point, poisoning with ethyl alcohol and its decay products reaches a critical limit. At this moment, the biochemical processes in the brain change, and an aversion to alcoholic beverages appears. It is noteworthy that the taste, smell of alcohol becomes unpleasant all of a sudden. Even small doses cause nausea and vomiting.
Postintoxication remission is relatively stable. However, relapses are not excluded, when, against the background of a sober lifestyle, a person's state of health noticeably improves.
Tips for people who want to stop drinking
Not every person who has previously abused alcoholic beverages can easily withstand a sober state. Some have a painful craving for alcohol, a desire to immediately skip a "glass or two. "For those who firmly and confidently embarked on a sober path, such advice can help.
- You should contact a specialized clinic. Here, specialists will select an individual treatment plan, prescribe effective medication if necessary. Psychologists and rehabilitators will help you get out of binge, cleanse your body and develop a persistent negative attitude towards the use of ethanol.
- If you want to stop drinking, that's half the battle. The patient should recognize the presence of the disease. If possible, the problem with alcohol should be discussed with loved ones.
- The patient should stop all ties with people with whom he drank and who were tolerant of his addiction.
- Throw away all alcoholic drinks at home. This will make it much easier to avoid temptation. If there is a calm reaction to people who drink alcohol, this is already a success.
- You need to be prepared for the fact that withdrawal symptoms will develop during the refusal of alcohol. At the same time, various psychophysiological disorders will be tormented. The urge to take them off can be very strong. At this time, it is important not to succumb to weakness. Dealing with withdrawal symptoms on your own is very difficult, so you should trust the experts.
- You should read the literature on various aspects of alcoholism. It is important to avoid sources of dubious origin. Any questions can be discussed with the doctor.
- Daily routine should include different types of physical activity. It is important to eat well and fully, as well as to rest. It is ideal to learn how to avoid stress, or at least not react to it.
- Some can be helped by moving, communicating with other people.
- An interesting hobby will improve the emotional background. Some people are helped by a change of profession, volunteering and outdoor activities.
- At meetings, holidays, you need to look for an alternative to alcoholic beverages, which, unfortunately, have become traditional. Even one cocktail can derail all previous efforts.
There is no one-size-fits-all method for quitting drinking. Every alcohol addict should look for the most suitable option. To avoid relapses and achieve a positive effect, it is important to contact specialists.