How to Stop Drinking Alcohol
Many people who are struggling with alcohol use disorder are fearful of going to a treatment facility to receive addiction treatment, or simply do not have the time for alcohol rehab. Inpatient rehab specifically takes up a long period of time, and it can be difficult to work a residential treatment program into your schedule. Even with outpatient rehab programs, challenges such as time and money can factor into why people are reluctant to receive treatment at a rehab center.
For these people, they begin to wonder how to stop drinking without a traditional treatment plan at rehab. Unless you are in need of medical detox due to the effects of alcohol on your body, you may be able to reduce or cease your drinking entirely. Methods that can help include participating in behavioral therapy sessions and support groups to tackle the root of your addiction. These sessions can be done without rehab at any therapist’s office, and support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) offer frequent meetings in many locations.
There are many factors that contribute to why people drink, but learning about the adverse effects of binge drinking and alcoholism from others who have gone through substance abuse issues can help you fully understand the importance of ending your alcohol addiction. Speaking to your family members about the harm you have caused them due to alcohol or drug addiction can also put substance use disorders into perspective, although this can be a difficult process to endure.
It may also be helpful to consult your doctor to receive education about the dangers of alcoholism, including health problems such as liver diseases and liver failure. In-depth learning of these risks can help you receive motivation to quit before it progresses to this point.
Once you have received education, support, and therapy, quitting alcohol will feel less daunting. At this point, you should begin to devise a plan for yourself. This includes learning what your drinking triggers are and actively avoiding them, along with creating coping methods for dealing with any cravings or negative feelings that would typically cause you to drink.
Tracking your progress is a helpful method in ending addiction, as you can receive tangible proof of how far you’ve come, as well as set goals for your recovery. In this day and age, many apps exist for this exact purpose, and these apps also provide daily motivation to continue your efforts toward sobriety.
Quitting on your own can certainly be a difficult process, however it is not impossible. If you have the time and resources to receive professional help at a rehab facility, this may be the better option. Although people are able to stop drinking by themselves, having that structure and support system in place can be highly beneficial, especially for severe alcohol addiction. It is also a safer process, as withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous if you are a heavy drinker, which is why rehabs offer medical supervision during the alcohol detox process. If you are looking to stop drinking alcohol, Arista Recovery can help you work towards sobriety.
