The methods to stop drinking alcohol are just as diverse as the reasons as to why people begin drinking. It is not surprising that different people have different organic alcohol online reasons and most importantly consume in different quantities and at varying frequencies. When it comes to quitting alcohol, what works for one, may not be effective for another person. Experts opine that the method adopted to quit will depend on your drinking style and your personality.
The most common reason for drinking is that people use it as a relaxation mechanism in response to anxiety and stress. It is not uncommon for those with the addiction to fill in a void in their life with alcohol. Psychologists coin this as a coping mechanism while others may consider it as a dependency trait.
One of the more effective methods to stop drinking focuses on facing problems rather than dodging them with a drink. This involves identifying the problem and running a root cause analysis and then finally discussing it with a close confidante or friend as to how to solve the problem at hand.
Stress and stressful situations are a way of life but the differentiator is how we process stress. There is a raging debate as to whether alcohol relieves stress or is drinking just an expression of being under stress. One of the healthier and better methods to stop drinking is to take a long walk or read a book at leisure. Those who find the right option will eventually stop drinking and take control of their life.
Yet another very effective method works on the concept of enhancing self-esteem. Statistics indicate that years of alcoholism can well lead to a low self-esteem which leads to an increasing dependency on alcohol. Psychologists are of the opinion that one of the most effective ways of building self-esteem is to start small and take incremental steps.
One of the most effective methods is to compete against yourself. You may think that you can stop drinking any time, but actually doing it is an altogether different proposition and not everyone can succeed in achieving it. There may be a sense of conviction that you can do it, but when it comes to the actual event, it can be a challenge. There is more to quitting alcohol than pills and doctors. Some lesser known methods to stop drinking are about mental strategies and power equations which are far superior as they work on the concept of mind over matter. With your busy life, friends and obligations, finding time to figure out how to quit drinking alcohol on your own probably seems daunting. It may be a big decision, but it is a goal that can be accomplished with some insight and reflection on the role alcohol plays in your day-to-day routine. Recognizing your weaknesses, finding new and exciting alternatives to alcohol and preparing to cope with cravings will all help make your decision to quit drinking alcohol on your own a little easier.
Many people drink alcohol in many different ways. There is a lot of difference between having a glass of wine with dinner versus drinking eight beers at a big weekend party. Knowing what you are drinking and the type of drinking you are participating in is the ability to recognize your weakness.
Reflect on why you want to quit drinking and what types of drinking are harming you. It is in pinpointing these times that you can begin to make changes in your drinking habits. If you are able to enjoy a beer with a meal without a problem, but encounter that one glass of wine swiftly turns into a bottle of wine, you have then recognized your weakness and can avoid drinking in that situation.
Another aspect of the activity of drinking to consider is finding alternatives. Again, look at why you are drinking and why you want to quit. Possibly you could participate in a new activity instead of drinking. It is a good way to finish up projects around the house or engage in a long-lost hobby. Drinking for the sake of drinking is not really an activity and is holding you back from your goal to quit. Replace drinking with healthy activity.
In your process to quit drinking on your own, you need to be honest with yourself. You will have cravings and there will be temptations to drink again or more often. Prepare yourself ahead of time and create a plan for what you will do. You can also tell a trusted person your plan so they can help you reach your goal.
A simple way to deal with a craving is to have someone you can talk to at any time. Instead of making a cocktail, pick up the phone and call a trusted friend or family member. Not only will you be avoiding alcohol, but you will also be engaging in meaningful conversation.
Triggers and temptations for alcohol are all around you. Advertisements and social activities will continue to go on, but you will need to have a way to stick to your goal and not give into the temptation to drink alcohol. Preparing yourself for this reality will make dealing with it while the temptation is happening easier to handle.
Try to avoid temptations that you know exist. Cutting known triggers out of your life will better prepare you for dealing with the unknown triggers. If you are constantly surrounded by temptation, you will be more likely to give in. However, eliminating the triggers you can control will then give you greater personal control over the triggers that are unexpected.