Overcoming Alcohol Addiction: 5 of the Best Ways to Stop Drinking
Are you struggling with alcohol? Do you find solace in drinking? Do you want to overcome your alcohol addiction? If you have answered yes in any of these questions, then it’s advisable to stop drinking and if possible, seek professional help.
A recent study by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) revealed that over 80,000 people die due to alcohol-related causes every year in the US, making it the third leading preventable cause of death in the country, only after tobacco and poor diet/physical inactivity.
Judging by the statistics, it is a worthy course to stay away from alcohol. However, that’s easier said than done, especially if you are alcohol dependent. In such a case, seeking professional help may help lift you off the bandwagon — often, your doctor will perform a series of tests and analyses and recommend the best alcohol addiction treatment for you.
Keep in mind that quitting alcohol is not the hardest part, neither is what happens next after quitting. What’s hard is the journey to sobriety. So, to help you overcome alcohol addiction, here are five of the best ways to stop drinking.
Admit that you have a problem
For many people, acceptance only comes after a bad experience – maybe following an accident, or losing a job or a loved one. Often, it’s when they hit the rock-bottom, and there’s no any other place to go but up. Regardless of your situation, the first step to your alcohol-free life is to accept that you have an addiction problem.
Realize why you have to stop drinking
Whether it is to reclaim your lost time, have more meaningful conversations, save money or rebuild your life and relationships, knowing why you want to stop drinking will help motivate you. Quitting drinking is the healthiest decision you can make – you’ll have better emotional balance, a clearer mind, improved liver function, more efficient brain activity, lower cholesterol and so on.
Make sobriety your primary goal
Quitting alcohol is a significant life event and should be treated so. Committing partially is a failure ingredient. Come up with rules and strive to stick to them. Say no to sale on six-packs, bar nights, and the voice in your head that tells you to pick just one drink.
Fire your drinking friends
Birds of a feather flock together. Hanging out with your drinking friends will only mean one thing – drinking. It would be hard to resist drinking alcohol if your peers are doing it. So, try finding new friends who align with your purpose.
Tell people about your decision
Advertising your choice to stay sober is a great way to ensure you stay accountable to your goal. It also shows your ‘alcohol friends’ that you are no longer interested in hanging out with them during their drinking sprees. Besides, if anyone offers you a drink and you tell them you no longer drink alcohol, they will probably never offer you a drink again.
