Health

Alcohol Addiction: How to Stop Drinking and Regain Control

Alcohol addiction is slowly becoming a global phenomenon in both developed and developing countries. It’s defined as an uncontrollable desire to drink. Alcoholics often put their drinking before everything and everyone else, which is slowly destroying their lives. If you find yourself drinking too much and want to cut down on it or quit altogether, here are some tips that can help you.

Recognizing the Addiction

You may find it hard to admit that you have a problem, and that’s normal. Nobody wants to be judged. But if you can’t refuse a glass of wine or start drinking and can’t stop, it’s time to ask some serious questions.

The rule of thumb is that if you’re ashamed of your actions or lying about how many drinks you had, hiding it from your family, or questioning your addiction, you most likely have a problem. Once you realize that, you don’t have to go around telling everyone about your issue. There are ways to solve your problem without the necessary fuss.

Eliminating Triggers Around You

The first thing you’ll want to do is pinpoint your triggers, just like with nicotine addiction. These can be personal problems, like depression, or something that comes from the outside, like a stressful job. Make sure you write your triggers down, as this will help you become more aware.

Even though you can’t change your job just because it’s stressful and can’t combat anxiety with ease, there is always a way to unwind without alcohol. Meditation is a great way to rediscover yourself, and getting rid of all the bottles will keep the temptation at bay.

Finding Replacements

Did you know that alcohol causes about 88,000 deaths per year, while there hasn’t been a single marijuana-related death? Of course, that doesn’t mean that marijuana is entirely safe, but there’s got to be a reason why it’s legal in so many countries.

Maybe you can consider trying cannabis instead of drinking. There’s even medical marijuana that can help you cope with anxiety and stress. It’s completely safe, and if you live in a country that legalized it, you can talk with your doctor about the issues you’re facing. Chances are, they’ll recommend marijuana.

Looking for Help

If all else fails, you must admit that you need professional help. Depending on the severity of your addiction, you may need to talk to a psychologist and create a plan for recovery or get admitted to a clinic for inpatient alcohol treatment.

There are many certified psychologists online that can also help you and keep you accountable. If you’re looking for human contact, make sure you join the AA meetings, where you’ll talk directly with people who had the same problem but managed to break the chains of addiction.

Summary

There’s no shame in wanting to get better and regain control over your life. If you’ve decided to cut down on drinking or quit entirely, you should know you have a variety of ways to do so. By eliminating triggers around you, you won’t be as exposed as you were before. Also, if you need someone to keep you accountable, there are always AA meetings. If you like to explore other options, you can opt for medical marijuana to help you relax.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*