How To Stop Drinking For A Better Tomorrow

Alcoholism and over drinking has been the running factor of many lives and families, and if you see yourself floating away with a drink in your hand too often, it is time you did something about it before it is too late. You are not the first person who regrets your alcohol drinking, more than 15% in the United States report to free themselves from this condition but are unable to due to several reasons. If you are done with being buzzed more often than you wish you were and want to give life a second chance, here are some tips to help you learn how to stop drinking for good.

Step 1: Starting The Journey To Being Alcohol Free

Whether it is the raging hangovers, or a realization that hit you like a train, your first step towards stop drinking will determine the rest of the journey. If you are a heavy drinker and can't go a day without popping up a can of beer, the withdrawal symptoms can hit you hard. Here's where your health consultant comes in to provide you a bunch of useful advice to keep the alcohol withdrawal symptoms at a minimum and help you stop drinking without losing your mind over it. Starting out with accepting the fact that you are setting off on a rough journey, will keep you physically and more importantly, psychologically ready to fight your drinking problems one day at a time.

Step 2: The Withdrawal Symptoms

If you have been a heavy drinker in the past, the withdrawal symptoms can hit you hard if you suddenly go "cold turkey". Since your body is used to being filled with alcohol, it will take your body some time, and longer for your mind to recognize that absence of the substance from your system. Feeling tired often, irritability, poor concentration skills, bad dreams and trouble sleeping are some of the common psychological symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. Some physical symptoms of alcohol withdrawal could also make you sweaty, cause nausea and vomiting, headaches and loss of appetite, but these are not common in most cases.

Before you worry about what is happening with you, it is important to understand that all these signs and symptoms of your body are just a detoxification mechanism. This detoxification process is dissolving the high amount of alcohol left in your body, your liver is getting accustomed to your changed intake level and overall your body is preparing to be in a healthier state than before. However, if you are worried about the symptoms, your doctor will be happy to walk you through the entire process and may even counsel you on withdrawal with the help of local support groups and health advisers.

Step 3: Let Your Intentions Be Known

Consider your alcohol problem like obesity, it is better to be on a diet when people know you are on one. Being on a "non-alcoholic" diet and telling your family and friends about it will be rewarding and encouraging. Share the reasons you have wished to make the decision and you might just be able to convince someone else on how to stop drinking as well. When the people close to you help you fight your drinking problems, the journey becomes much more pleasant.

Step 4: Clearing Out The Alcohol

This starts the very day you decide to keep alcohol away from your body for as long as you can. Whether it is a crate of beers in the garage, or some scotch set aside for company, roll it all out of the house to cut the roots of your drinking problems. With no bottle to dive into every time you go don't feel good, you will be more focused on the bigger picture, living a healthy and alcoholism free life.

Step 5: Resisting The Temptation

Just because you have given up on alcohol doesn't mean you have to give up on social events and parties. Be the loved and adored designated driver when your friends go on a crazy night. If they are good friends, they probably won't drink too much in front of their buddy who is trying to abstain from alcohol. Not having alcohol all the time might be "lame" in college, but as you grow older, you realize that's what most adults tend to do. Moreover, spend the time that you would at the bar, someplace else doing something better. It can be from a relaxing nap to a movie of your choice, reward yourself for doing the hard thing of refraining from alcohol.

Step 6: Reward Yourself Along The Way

It has been more than a month since you had your last alcoholic drink? Reward yourself with those amazing shoes you have been eying, you deserve it. While it may seem childish to reward yourself with things for doing something, that is exactly how your brain works and convinces you to move ahead when you get the right incentive. Promise yourself that you will buy that new car if you spend a year sober and stay on track. Don't be worried about how you would be able to afford the rewards, because the money you are saving from not drinking is more than enough for you to get the best out of your life.

Step 7: Giving Up Alcohol

There are two ways to give up alcoholism, either stop the consumption completely or gradually decrease your alcohol consumption to the stage when it becomes much easier to give up. When you cut off alcohol completely, the withdrawal symptoms are stronger, but it helps you get the toxicity out of your system faster. When you try giving up alcohol, one ounce at a time, it can be a slow and gradual process if you stick to it. People tend to jump off the wagon quite often when they are still consuming alcohol, even if it is small amounts.

Alcoholism is a dependency that has destroyed lives and families of millions all over the world. It is estimated that about 40% of alcoholics in the world want to give up on the habit, but why can't they? It is so because alcoholism, just like any other form of addiction takes over your conscience and physical awareness and indulges you into the act with complete disregard for your own health as well as the others around you. To rid yourself of this addiction, you need help from your close ones as well as professional guidance. With the right guidance and steps for how to stop drinking to follow, you can reclaim your life and try restoring it to the way it was before your days of alcoholism.