In the life of every thinking person who is in a protracted alcohol abuse situation, there is a boundary level when he asks the question, what is next and how to stop drinking? For radical change to occur, doubts and thoughts alone are not enough, they must be supported by a firm determination to carry out our plans. If it were that simple, the question of how to stop drinking alcohol forever, or even how to stop drinking beer, would not be so serious in front of millions of people. However, this may be and the examples of those lucky ones who managed to break free from this vicious circle are confirmation.
What is alcoholism?
Experts say that alcoholism is not only addictive, but also a serious illness. It has a somatic character, which is why psychological and physiological dependence on alcohol is formed. In addition, alcoholism is a personal, social and even economic problem that affects many parties. The disease paralyzes not only fate and alcoholism, but also the lives of their loved ones.
Separately, it should be said about beer alcoholism, because too many are wondering how to stop drinking beer. Although this drink is weak, it is quite dangerous. Because it rarely causes serious alcoholism, most do not consider it dangerous, but it is often not possible for many people to stop drinking beer.
This beer contains a sedative hop extract. This is why many people love this drink in times of stress. But do not forget that this is still an alcoholic beverage, besides being rich in phytoestrogens (female sex hormone analogues). And since beer lovers are often men, this hobby does not happen without their footprint. They usually show signs of feminization (muscle weakness, breast enlargement, female body fat distribution), so it is important to stop drinking beer before the problem arises.
Causes of disease
Although there are scientists who believe that in some cases alcohol dependence is due to hereditary predisposition, no one is born destined to be alcoholic. After all, drunkards are not born, they become. And everyone has their own way of getting caught up in this trap. Thus, a person faces personal life problems, the loss of a loved one, and someone to get into this vicious circle of “helping” a cheerful drinking partner.
Some people drink because they are tired of killing time, others - for courage, to get rid of some fear or to be more relaxed in company. But whatever the reason for driving a person to drink alcohol, the result is always the same - the destruction of life, health, destructive relationships with loved ones, broken families, careers, moral and mental deterioration of individuals.
Depression can also cause alcoholism.
Pathology stage
There are several stages in the development of alcohol dependence.
- A drinker, although he feels an increase in craving for alcohol, has not yet developed physical dependence, which means that there is no withdrawal syndrome. But it was hard for him to fight the urge to drink, because he did not understand why he had to give up something that brought so much pleasure. Moreover, at this stage, many still think that they really control the process, but this is far from the problem. People have increased their tolerance to alcohol and often this increases their confidence that “they know how to drink. ” It is at this stage that people drink until they lose memory or complete erasure.
- In the second stage, physical dependence on alcohol begins to form and attempts to stop drinking are accompanied by severe withdrawal syndrome, which is reminiscent of drug withdrawal. In addition, during this period, tolerance reached its peak, namely alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. At this stage, one already needs medical help to overcome the addiction.
- The third stage is characterized by a complete lack of control, a person's mental and emotional deterioration, when intoxication occurs even from the smallest dose of alcohol. A similar phenomenon is associated with the fact that at an increased level of tolerance, a person drinks alcohol in amounts that are capable of bringing the average person into a coma and ultimately leads to the fact that the liver stops producing enzymes that break down alcohol.
Since you can stop drinking alcohol yourself only at the first level of addiction, which many "pass" without understanding the problems that will occur, then you can not give yourself to delusions and immediately seek help from a specialist.
The nuances of women's alcoholism
Alcoholism is often considered a male problem, but this is not the case at all. Yes, female alcoholism is not a common phenomenon, explained by the specifics of the female psyche: they are more resistant to stress. In addition, society also imposes certain stereotypes, and alcohol is often a status drink, a sign of masculinity. Therefore, the motivation to drink alcohol in men is stronger. In this situation, women have less chance of sleeping.
But it is more difficult for a woman to stop drinking, especially on her own. This is facilitated by the physiology of women: ethanol is broken down quite badly by the liver and absorbed more quickly in the intestine. Due to these body characteristics, alcohol is harmful to women. First of all, reproductive function suffers: women who use alcohol systematically are more often diagnosed with infertility and children with physical and mental problems are born. And because it is very difficult for a woman to stop drinking, it is better for every sane woman not to drink alcohol at all.
Addiction Removal Tactics
There are several strategies to get rid of alcohol dependence. Some experts argue that it is necessary to "bind" gradually by lowering the dose of alcohol to an acceptable level or to zero. And the obvious advantage of this method is the absence of withdrawal symptoms. But in practice, this method is quite difficult to use due to the high risk of damage and return to alcohol. Therefore, this technique is rarely used.
Another technique consists of a degree of complete alcohol rejection. Its undeniable advantage is that patients are more likely to return to their previous way of life. However, this technique is not recommended for use if a person disagrees due to the increased risk of withdrawal. In this case, the experts first removed the person from the party and only introduced a complete alcohol-soluble abstinence. It is very important that the choice of this method or method is made by the narcologist, and not by the patient himself or his relatives. Since it is not so easy to stop drinking at home, you should not hesitate to see a doctor.
Quitting alcohol completely is one of the techniques to stop drinking.
How to deal with dangerous diseases
Fighting destructive habits is useless until the person realizes that he or she is sick and needs help. Only people like that stop drinking once. But most alcoholics do not evaluate their behavior and believe that there is no problem, and they can "quit" alcohol at any time. Since the problem is obvious to the environment, loved ones can force them to stop drinking forever, by morally depressing or trying to cure it cunningly.
But no matter what medication is given to the person, no matter how well the psychologist works with them, the results will be predictable - the patient will not be able to stop drinking for a long time and will sooner or later break down, back into addiction. Without an internal attitude to change everything, any action will be in vain.
There are many ways to help those who are determined to quit drinking to get rid of alcohol. But there is no one universal method that suits everyone. Because everyone is different and experiences addiction in different ways, they come out of this trap in different ways. Of course, the desire should not be underestimated, because some people have stopped drinking on their own. But not many of them, because most people who do not have the will to iron will be alcoholism.
Also, do not forget that the decision to quit drinking is the result of clear thinking, and for years alcoholism, ethanol disrupted the natural process in NS and many such people do not have the mere physical ability to make such decisions. But this is only one side of the coin. The other is that alcohol is physically addictive, and a sudden rejection of alcohol can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Psychological Techniques
They will be useful for anyone who quits alcohol, no matter whether he or she is taking this path alone or with the help of a narcologist. The first thing a person should do is analyze the factors that make him addicted. The first priority is to avoid provoking factors. Then you need to focus on the following.
Find your call
Often a person begins to drink to alleviate the difference between the real situation with his hopes, ambitions, and inability to fully realize himself. This is another reason for men to be addicted to alcohol. After all, the question of self-realization and status is the first for them.
Changes in activities or jobs can help. But do not underestimate hobbies and hobbies. It is necessary to find such a hobby that can be fully captured, so that there is almost no free time not only to drink, but also to think about it. The options for hobbies are endless, but in this case it is important to understand that success in any field does not appear immediately, therefore, satisfaction from the process itself is very important.
Reject previous circles and minimize temptation
Naturally, there should be no alcohol in the addict's home. You can not leave drinks for guests and save. Moreover, one should not be tempted by beer, as most of them cannot stop drinking beer. The problem is that many people do not take their beer addiction seriously.
Also, there should be no empty bottles at the residence of someone who stops drinking, as no one should remember the past. All these nuances should be remembered by the environment. Relatives are obliged to help the drinker in any way possible, and if he himself sees that they or his friends are pulling him back into addiction, then it is necessary to change the circle of friends or limit interaction with such people at least temporarilytime.
To stop drinking, you must throw all alcohol out of the house.
Addicts may not visit places where alcohol can be offered (banquets, parties), and initially prefer to pass the place where alcohol is sold. In the first stage of the struggle, the will of the thrower is still very weak, so he does not need unnecessary temptation.
Self Promotion
It is also important to give yourself credit for stopping drinking alcohol. Instead of buying another bottle, you can indulge in something that previously did not have enough money. You can also have a separate piggy bank and refill it whenever you want to buy a drink. As a rule, after a month of such an experiment, a person is really burdened with the amount of savings.
Communication
Harmony with others and comfortable communication are good tools to fight alcoholism. Sometimes it is enough just to realize how much easier and more constructive it is to communicate with people in a calm state than in a changing state of consciousness so that everything runs smoothly. That is why there are many groups that support alcoholics, where you can share not only your story, but also get the support you need.
Medicine
Pharmaceutical companies systematically supply the market with drugs for alcohol dependence. But you have to understand that this is not a magic pill, because the intake of alcoholism disappears by itself. They are just a tool for those who have taken the difficult path of self-healing, and help not to turn away from it.
There are two types of drugs used: some cause rejection of alcohol, while others help eliminate physical dependence on alcohol. The first group of drugs is suitable for people who have never had a very significant intoxication syndrome and that is why they are so addicted to alcohol.
In the second case, with a clear physical dependence on alcohol, benzodiazepines are given, which act on the same receptor as ethanol. But the method of taking it should be short, because instead of alcohol dependence, more dangerous addictions to psychotropic drugs may appear.
People's solution
The most popular medicine to cleanse the body of alcohol toxins is oat infusion. To prepare, pour 1 cup of oats with 5 cups of boiling water and leave for at least 3 hours. Drink 0. 5 cups before meals, 5 times a day.
Alcohol conversion helps induce simple medications such as thyme infusion. To get the product, you need 15 g of ingredients, pour 500 ml of boiling water and hold for 15 minutes. Use the infusion at the rate of 50 ml of product per 15 ml of vodka.
Merebus St. John's wort has similar properties. It is prepared according to the following scheme: 4 tbsp. l. the ingredients are poured with 500 ml of hot water and the product is kept in a water bath for at least half an hour. The broth is ready to be taken twice a day, within 2 weeks.
Influence of diet and lifestyle on pathology
Nutrition and physical activity are just as important during the alcohol intake period. It is important for thirsty people to follow the rules of drinking (water helps detoxify the body) and drink 2-2. 5 liters of water daily. It is also worth noting the diet and introducing products that stimulate the synthesis of endorphins and serotonin (fresh fruit, chocolate, meat), which contain B vitamins (legumes, fish, eggs). At the same time, it is necessary to adhere to food moderation and limit fats, spicy and salty, as long-term alcohol intake is associated with the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system.
The introduction of sports into the lives of such people is no less important. Even a simple walk will stimulate the release of endorphins, and if you add exercise, yoga, jogging, this will strengthen not only the body, but also the nervous system. However, when choosing physical activity, one must take into account the general state of human health - in some cases, exercise may be contraindicated.