Hitting rock bottom due to alcohol and substance abuse can be one of the most difficult conditions to recover from. For many dependents, quitting alcohol or even reducing dependency is tough and somewhat impossible.
According to the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 86.3 percent of people ages 18 or older reported that they drank alcohol at some point in their lifetime (source).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the harmful use of alcohol causes over 3 million deaths globally every year. It also causes the development of other conditions and diseases like liver cirrhosis, stomach cancer, memory loss, diabetes complications, ulcers etc.
Alcohol relapse are high amongst many addicts. Without the will and dedication required, dealing with alcohol dependency can be an almost-impossible task.
Are you (or do you know anyone) suffering from alcohol dependency? It's our pleasure to share with you these 5 effective ways of dealing with alcohol dependency.
Let's get started.
1. Make Your Intentions Known
Communication is a fundamental tool when it comes to dealing with alcohol addiction or any other type of addiction. It is usually the first step to reforming from an alcoholic to the better person you look forward to becoming. This entails talking to people you are closest with and telling them of your intentions to stop the said addiction.
Frequently reminding yourself, family, relatives, and friends about your intention to quit has proven effective in helping alcohol addicts to stay in track towards their ultimate goal.
2. Gradually Reduce Your Alcohol Intake
Depending on the overall goal and extent of your alcohol dependence, one can choose to reduce their intake or give up entirely. Research shows that gradually reducing the amount of alcohol you are used to taking can help reduce dependency.
If you are used to drinking three drinks every day, cutting down intake to two or one drink a day, and gradually reducing the daily intake proves effective. Instant cutting down is not recommended especially for alcohol addicts.
It can lead to increased consumption in case the addict gives up along the way. Gradual reduction of alcohol intake enables the body to adapt to the changes with ease hence the effective results.
3. Avoid Temptation and High Risk Areas
One of the best ways to stop drinking is avoiding places, people and instances that trigger your alcohol cravings. Although it may sound difficult to do, turning down alcohol offers, parties and alcoholic friends has a significant effect on the success of your journey towards quitting alcohol. Internal triggers like depression, stress and boredom that compel one to drink can be dealt with through engaging in fun activities and hobbies like games and outdoor activities.
External triggers like storing alcohol in the house or office can also mitigate the process of quitting alcohol. Get rid of everything that is alcohol related, be it alcohol or memories related to it. This will enable you to avoid situations that may trigger you to drink again.
4. Join a Support Network
Although family and friends are categorical on the success of your intentions, having professional backing is an added advantage. One of the most effective professional way is by joining and participating in alcohol addiction networks (source).
These networks enable you to see first-hand that you are not alone in the process and encourage you to stop entirely. Surrounding yourself with people who build confidence and understand your ultimate goal will help you overcome dependency in the end.
5. Nutrition and Rewarding Progress
Proper nutrition is another way of reducing alcohol dependency. During the healing process, a proper diet enables you to restore mental and physical health and give you strength to continue going. Physical health also boosts one’s morale and confidence towards the goal of quitting alcohol addiction.
Moreover, it is recommended that the progress achieved is recorded and positive progress rewarded. Every time you accomplish a task that puts you closer to achieving your goal should be rewarded. This helps you appreciate where you have come from and where you are headed. Rewarding in this sense can be in the form of engaging in activities you enjoy, buying new stuff at the end of every recorded progress.
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