Regardless of if alcohol is causing your life to spiral out of control or if you are a full-blown addict, it is important to equip yourself with knowledge and power if you want to break this habit. Here are a few things that you need to do in order to stop drinking.
Make a Plan: Addicts who beat the habit do so because they have a plan in place. You cannot expect to be successful if you do not have a plan set up to reach your goals. Find your coping strategies in advance so that you are not left without a life preserver if you start to struggle. Understanding your triggers will help you to be prepared to confront what lies ahead in your journey to stop drinking. It is also a good idea to have a self-care plan in place for when the going gets tough.
Consider Medication as an Option: While some people are able to beat their addiction without the use of medication, it is important to understand that you have options if you are not as lucky. There are three primary medications that have been approved by the FDA to treat alcoholism. In addition to the brand-name medications, there are also numerous off-label drugs that you may find helpful in curbing the cravings.
Set Goals So That You Are Not Distracted: Setting goals ahead of tackling the addiction will provide a framework to guide your efforts. Begin the goal-setting process by listing all of the reasons why you want to be sober. This will provide you with motivation when you feel discouraged in this journey to sobriety. Be sure to set both short-term and long-term goals so that you are not distracted.
Find New Activities to Replace Alcohol: You are likely going to find yourself with an abundance of idle time when you try to break your alcohol addiction. You will find the most success in your endeavors if you are intentional about finding new activities to replace the hole in your life. For example, try joining a gym so that you have something to do after work instead of meeting your colleagues at the bar. Giving yourself a new outlet will help to replace the space that drinking once occupied.
Ask for Help and Seek Treatment: There is no shame in asking for help when you are looking to stop drinking. There are a number of alcohol addiction treatment options available for those looking to kick the habit. According to AION Health, a good choice is a “residential rehab in a distraction-free environment to give patients the best chance of being free for life from addiction.” If you do not desire the live-in rehab experience, you can try a partial hospitalization program or a medical detox treatment plan. A physician will be able to recommend the best treatment plan for your addiction.
There is no doubt that breaking an alcohol addiction is not easy. However, employing these five strategies will put you in the best position to succeed.
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
