Substance abuse disorders can turn your life upside down. There are various drugs, including alcohol, that trigger addictive behaviors. Once you reach a certain point in any addiction, it can seem like it’s impossible to stop.
With the level of alcohol’s social acceptance and availability, it can be one of the hardest to stop. So, how can you stop drinking alcohol? When might it become critical that you stop drinking alcohol altogether? Let’s explore how to stop drinking alcohol.
Accept
The first step in stopping a drinking problem is accepting that you may have a problem. Alcoholism is one of the hardest diseases to overcome because of the prevalent use in our daily lives. Alcohol is used to celebrate events, as a form of relaxation, and even as a mantel of maturity.
Alcohol is available at sporting events, at supermarkets and convenience stores, plus it’s a common staple in millions of homes. Many begin by feelings that there is something wrong if you’re having problems controlling your drinking.
If you’re experiencing problems with alcohol, rest assured you are not alone. There are millions of alcoholics who have accepted their problem. Out of these millions who have accepted their powerlessness over alcohol, millions have also found a way to stop drinking.
However, the majority did not do it alone. There is a solution for alcoholism. It is found in recovery. To begin your recovery journey, you must accept the problem and then acknowledge you need help.
Acknowledge
Even though accepting that alcohol may be a problem can be challenging, asking for help is equally difficult for many. It is hard to accept you have a problem with drinking when everyone else seems to drink with impunity.
That is one of the many aspects of alcoholism that makes it so cunning and baffling. Alcoholism seems to reward the over-confident with a constant bombardment of false reassurances. You may be able to stop drinking for a brief period, but can you stay stopped?
Do you refrain from drinking, just so you can binge at a later time? Alcoholism is a disease that will try to convince you that you do not have a problem, or that you can tackle the problem by yourself. Disappointingly, thousands find that they cannot.
To tackle alcoholism and stop drinking alcohol, you’re going to need help. Accepting that there is a problem, and then acknowledging that help is the only way, will set you on a path of recovery. If you begin this journey with a firm commitment, you will achieve sobriety.
Achieve
Once you accept you have a problem with alcohol and choose to seek help, the work doesn’t stop there. In fact, recovery is a journey, not a destination. It is a wonderful journey that may evolve differently depending on your circumstances.
As we said, some people can stop drinking on their own. These types of people rarely meet the definition of an alcoholic. An alcoholic suffers from a condition of mind and body that makes it virtually impossible to stop on their own.
If you are truly an alcoholic, you are not a bad person. You are a sick person who has accepted their disease and acknowledge they need help. You are now ready to achieve lasting sobriety. A popular and proven way to launch recovery is through treatment.
Alcohol and drug treatment centers provide a firm foundation for lasting recovery. You will learn about addiction, plus be given a wealth of tools and information to battle the inherent urges and cravings that don the alcoholic.
It is also strongly suggested that an alcoholic or addict surround themselves with a solid support system. This may include recovery fellowships, or working with an addiction specialist. Your road may be different. However, if you accept and acknowledge, you too can achieve sobriety and stop drinking.
To stop drinking alcohol is a noble ambition. A few people can simply decide to either control their drinking, or decide to never drink again. While these individuals are blessed with an outstanding sense of self-control and commitment, that’s not true for the alcoholic.
Too many alcoholics struggle with their addiction because they cannot accept that there is a problem. An equally discouraging number fail to acknowledge that they need help. This dreadful combination destroys thousands of lives every day. It doesn’t have to be that way.
If you’re struggling with drugs and alcohol, life can appear hopeless. It is not. There is help. All you have to do is ask. Reach out today to begin a wonderful journey in recovery. Addiction specialists are ready to help. The first step is up to you. Take that step today and ask for help. Call us at 833-846-5669.