Do people struggle with alcohol addiction? Moreover, you cannot diagnose yourself as someone with alcohol addiction. Do you intend to give up alcohol? Do you have to stop drinking alcohol? You should give up alcohol if the answer to any of the aforementioned questions is yes.

I promise you that giving up alcohol is not the toughest thing to accomplish. That’s also not what happens when you give up alcohol. The most difficult aspect of the sobriety path is trying to stay sober in the first place.

Despite all of these, a surprising number of people have overcome their alcohol addiction. The important thing to remember is that quitting won’t be easy; you will need to have that drive.

To help you stay sober, we have compiled the essential steps in the treatment of alcohol addiction.

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

What Is Alcohol Addiction?

Alcoholism is another name for alcohol addiction. Alcoholism is characterized by heavy alcohol consumption that makes it difficult for the sufferer to control their drinking patterns. Alcohol consumption disorder is another term for alcoholism. There are three classifications or phases of alcohol consumption disorder: mild, moderate, and severe.

It is an illness, in the same way that diabetes and cancer are. It is curable, but in order to continue recovering, treatment must be received continuously. Some folks might drink a lot of alcohol all day. 

Some may limit their binge drinking to one or two times per week and then stick to a long sobriety regimen. That’s why recovering from alcoholism is so difficult. 

Causes of Alcoholism

A confluence of hereditary, psychological, environmental, and social variables leads to alcoholism. A person’s likelihood of developing alcoholism increases with the number of risk indicators they display. Additionally, a person may not have any influence over those risk variables at all. Below, let’s discuss a few of them:

1. Difficult to settle

Some people use alcohol as a stress reliever, though. If a person works in a stressful setting, they may drink excessively more frequently.

This is especially true in professions such as medicine and nursing, where everyday stress levels can be quite high. Spend some time relaxing with healthy activities, such as reading a good book, working out, or napping, to lower this risk factor.

2. Beginning to drink early

Early alcohol consumption increases the risk of developing an alcohol problem or a physical dependence on alcohol as people age, according to the Mayo Clinic. This is due to the possibility that drinking could develop into a comfortable habit as well as a potential increase in tolerance levels in the body.

3. Issues with mental health, such as depression

Alcoholism risk can be raised by mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, mental disorder, or others. When someone is feeling nervous or depressed, it’s natural for them to turn to alcohol, and the effects of alcohol can seem to momentarily alleviate those emotions. This may result in consuming alcohol more and more, eventually becoming addicted to it.

4. Taking drugs and alcohol together

Certain medications may intensify alcohol’s harmful effects on the body. When someone consistently takes alcohol along with their medicine, they run the risk of developing an addiction to the side effects, some of which can be extremely harmful or even fatal.

Warning Signs of Alcohol Addiction

Some of the warning symptoms of alcoholism are rather obvious. You can assess whether you have an alcohol issue by looking for these signs in your own life. Among the warning indicators of alcoholism are:

• Experiencing problems at work or school because of your alcohol consumption
• Drinking and driving is one of the riskiest scenarios to do so.
• Recurring blackouts that leave you unable to recall what transpired while you were under the influence
• Having legal issues as a result of drinking
• Sustaining harm or causing harm to another person after drinking
• Drinking nonetheless even though it is seriously endangering your health

Having loved ones or friends concerned about you due to your drinking habits

Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome

What are Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome Symptoms?

Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is the term used to describe the symptoms experienced by someone who drinks heavily and then stops or drastically cuts back on their alcohol intake.

These effects may manifest as early as six hours after the previous drink. The victim may exhibit any two of the subsequent signs and symptoms.

• Fear, Sickness, and Headache
• Elevation of heart rate
• Lack of sleep
• elevated blood pressure
• Fears

In a span of two to three days, these symptoms can get worse. In certain people, certain milder symptoms can last for weeks at a time. When you wake up in the morning with less alcohol in your system, you will experience these symptoms.

The most detrimental manifestation of withdrawal syndrome is delirium tremens (DT). Delirium tremens symptoms might include, but are not limited to:

• High levels of confusion
• Agitation
• Increased fever
• Seizure attacks
• There are also cases of tactile hallucinations, like itchiness, burning, and or numbness that is not “real.”
• Sometimes, the victims hear non-existent sounds
• There are also cases of visual hallucinations or imaginary images

When you have symptoms like a higher temperature, hallucinations, or irregular heartbeats, it is best to call for assistance or get straight to the emergency hospital.

The Most Effective Strategies for Overcoming Alcohol Addiction

1. Analyse the impact of alcohol on health

Your health may be impacted by alcohol dependence in a variety of ways. Even moderate alcohol use can make you feel hungover or fuzzy. You’re more prone to experience additional negative health impacts as you drink more, such as:

• sleep disturbances intestinal problems
• memory issues
• heightened irritation, sadness, and anxiety
• arguments and other conflicts with family members

Find out more about how alcohol use affects your health here.

2. Spend some time exploring your connection with alcohol

The first step in giving up anything is to figure out why you’re doing it.

Determine how much you drink

You may not believe you are completely dependent on alcohol, but you are concerned that you are drinking excessively.

Say you have no desires when you don’t drink. Nonetheless, “a quick drink” frequently leads to three or four drinks. When you’re having fun, it’s difficult to stop, especially when you’re with pals who are also having a fantastic time. 

Identifying Triggers

Cyndi Turner, LCSW, LSATP, MAC, a Virginia therapist who specializes in addiction therapy and alcohol moderation, emphasizes the need to understand why you drink.

She argues that understanding why you drink alcohol can help you find more constructive ways to deal with those concerns. Common alcohol triggers are:

• relationship stress
• social events
• trouble at work
• insomnia

3. Schedule self-care time

Giving up alcohol might be difficult. When you use alcohol as a coping mechanism for emotional pain, the increased stress may increase your desire to drink, which further distances you from success.

Making significant changes can often be challenging, but practicing self-care can help you handle intense emotions and look after your body and mind.

Put your health first

Physical well-being can increase emotional fortitude and resilience, preparing you to handle situations that make you want to drink.

Eliminating alcohol is a significant step in bettering your physical well-being. When those health benefits start to show, you’ll probably feel more motivated and encouraged to keep moving forward.

Rekindle your passions

Alcohol is a common coping mechanism for boredom. In addition to helping you deter alcohol cravings, fulfilling hobbies promotes relaxation, which is something that everyone should practice.

4. Set Goals

Setting the lofty goal of “never drinking again” makes sense in theory. Unfortunately, many people find it difficult to stop drinking or relapse early in their recovery because they immediately put their minds to reaching this only hard-and-fast objective.

Instead, concentrate on establishing smaller, more manageable objectives that will enable you to reach the larger one.

Attend a support group once a week, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Give up going to locations where you are tempted to consume alcohol.

Make an appointment for therapy.

• Speak with those close to you who encourage your sobriety.
• Prepare a strategy for when the detox becomes too much to handle.
• Replace the times you would often drink with healthy habits.
• Take alcohol out of your reach.

Write a piece about your

• Drinking patterns: Using the past to inform your future
• Why—the justification for quitting alcohol—and how to amplify that justification
• Feelings concerning alcohol, to recognize the relationships you have with it.
• Identifying triggers can help you better understand what it was that made you feel like you wanted or needed a drink.

Every day, find a safe, peaceful place to write in your journal. It’s not necessary to say a lot at once. It doesn’t have to be very deep. Additionally, it is only for your own eyes.   

5. Mindfulness and Meditation

People have utilized mindfulness therapy to prevent relapses. Relapse is the term used to describe the unhealthful resumption of drinking following a time of rehabilitation.

Typically, these regimens incorporate meditation. Instead of only teaching you to respond to your thoughts, feelings, and cravings, they teach you to become conscious of them.

However, only some studies had the same outcomes. This therapy was not found to be more successful than other relapse prevention strategies in a 2017 research review.

The use of behavioral health therapy to assist individuals in quitting alcohol is common. You can visit a therapist from the comfort of your home thanks to virtual healthcare.

The following therapeutic approaches are successful in treating alcohol consumption disorders in people: 

• quick fixes
• Behavioral and cognitive therapies
• Family therapy
• Therapy aimed at improving motivation 

6. Modifications in Lifestyle

Once you give up alcohol, you can modify your lifestyle to improve your mood by doing the following: 

Eat better

To help replenish nutrients lost through drinking, choose foods with higher vitamin and mineral concentrations.

Exercise

Getting your body moving can help you feel better emotionally, reduce stress, and release endorphins that help you feel less discomfort when you stop drinking.

Stay hydrated

Eight 8-ounce glasses of water or more a day will help lessen the symptoms of withdrawal and keep you feeling better.

Decrease tension

You should come up with new coping mechanisms if you utilize alcohol as a stress reliever. Stress may be naturally reduced by engaging in yoga, meditation, journaling, and creative pursuits like music and art.

Avoid alcohol

It can be a good idea to stay away from individuals you used to drink with, locations where alcohol is offered, and activities you associate with drinking when attempting to stop drinking.

FAQs

Q1. Is alcohol addiction a common problem?

Yes, alcohol addiction, also known as alcoholism or alcohol use disorder, is a prevalent issue worldwide affecting millions of individuals.

Q2. How do I know if I have an alcohol addiction?

Alcohol addiction symptoms include driving while intoxicated, encountering difficulties at work or school, blackouts, legal troubles, health problems, and worries voiced by loved ones.

Q3. Does drinking lead to mental illness?

However, prolonged alcohol exposure and adolescent drinking in particular may make people more susceptible to developing mental health issues.

Q4. Why is alcohol harmful to you?

The effects of binge drinking can be felt physically. It can result in cirrhosis, a potentially deadly condition, and alcoholic hepatitis, an inflammation of the liver. It can lead to cardiomyopathy, damage to the heart muscle, and raise blood pressure.

Q5. Does drinking help you feel less stressed?

Drinking alcohol can lessen how much an organism reacts to stress. Stress-response dampening (SRD) is the term used to describe this reduction (Levenson et al. 1980). Researchers have several options for quantifying alcohol’s SRD effects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, getting rid of alcoholism is a difficult but achievable goal with support and dedication. Crucial actions include recognizing the signs, getting help, and creating a special recovery strategy. Setting realistic goals, practicing self-care, and accepting lifestyle changes are essential steps on the road to recovery. People can recover their health and well-being from alcoholism with the right support and techniques.

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