How can I stop drinking? How can I break the cycle of alcohol addiction? How do I free myself from this trap in order to live a life that is full of joy and happiness – not just for me, but for those who love me as well? These are just some of the questions from people who want to quit drinking alcohol.
It’s never easy to change our habits, but you can’t keep going down the same path and expect something different to happen. The following five steps are designed to help guide you on your journey towards freedom from alcohol.
1. Reflect On The Reasons Why You’re Drinking.
There are many different reasons why people drink. If you want to quit drinking alcohol, it’s important to identify your personal reasons why you reach for that bottle of beer or for that can of White Claw.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Are you drinking to deal with stress and anxiety?
- Are you drinking to forget about your problems?
- Do you drink because you’re bored?
- Are you pressured because all your friends drink heavily?
- Do you drink because you like the taste of alcohol?
- Has drinking become a habit you cannot stop?
Determining the reason why you drink is a good first step to get to the root of the problem. This way, you can find the solution to your drinking problem.
2. Pursue An Alternative Activity To Address The Cause Of Your Drinking
Once you’ve determined why you drink, it’s time to start pursuing activities and solutions that can suppress your need for a drink. For example, if stress is one of the things that make you want alcohol, then try to find ways to deal with those emotions in other ways instead of reaching for beer or wine. When you’re starting to feel stressed and anxious, you can try meditation, yoga, and other self-care activities to help you feel calmer and more relaxed.
If boredom is the main cause of your drinking, find new hobbies to occupy your time. Maybe you can participate in a new sport, join a book club, and explore new skills through classes.
3. Get Rid Of Alcoholic Drinks In Your House.
It can be hard to resist the temptation when you know there is alcohol in your home. When you clear your house of alcohol, it makes it harder for you to get a glass of wine or grab a bottle. This simple step can actually be a big help and give you time to resist that urge or craving to drink.
4. Avoid Situations That Will Trigger You To Drink.
If you feel that there are certain situations that force you to drink, it is best to remove yourself from these situations. For instance, if you find that going to social gatherings makes you drink, avoid going to these gatherings. If you find that drinking with friends is something that triggers your alcoholism, then stop spending so much time with them and try to distance yourself from this trigger.
These situations also include toxic situations that stress you out. If you find that you tend to drink when you’re working too much or spending too many hours at work, then try to regulate your work hours. Give yourself a break to avoid stress.
5. Seek Professional Help.
While it’s possible for some people to stop drinking on their own, you might find that this is difficult for you to do. If you are already suffering from alcohol use disorder, quitting cold turkey might result in painful withdrawal symptoms. When this happens, the risk of relapse is high.
Sometimes, these symptoms can be relieved by gradually tapering off of alcohol consumption and then abstaining for an extended period of time. In several cases, however, you might need to work with a professional addiction counselor or see a doctor who specializes in this area.
Seek out a professional who understands addiction and knows how to create an effective plan of action for alcohol recovery with minimal cravings. It is never too late to seek treatment. You are not alone in your struggle with alcohol abuse and addiction.
For those of you who are looking for some guidance on how to stop drinking, we hope these five steps will be helpful. Once you admit that you have a problem and are ready to take action against it, we can help walk through five steps on how to get sober again.
Contact Morningside Recovery by Lighthouse today.