Alcohol has become part of the lives of many. A bottle of beer in front of the TV after work, a couple of glasses of wine with dinner, unlimited cocktails at a friend's birthday party. . . Even if you drink infrequently, drinking alcohol sooner or later can become a serious problem: Develop a bad habit that you will have to fight for a long time. In the article we will discuss an important topic: how to quit alcohol. How will your life change after giving up alcohol?
Who should stop drinking alcohol completely?
Stopping alcohol is reducing your consumption of alcoholic beverages to a minimum or eliminating them completely from your life.
There are many reasons why people decide to give up alcohol completely at some point. These can be health problems caused, among other things, by excessive alcohol consumption. Another common reason is a person's desire to lead a healthy lifestyle and experience all the benefits that come from giving up alcohol.
Sobriety is necessary if:
- Alcohol addiction develops rapidly: withdrawal symptoms appear and it is no longer possible to reduce the amount of alcohol you drink on your own.
- There are physical or mental illnesses that are aggravated by alcohol consumption.
- Even a small amount of alcohol leads to a loss of self-control: committing reckless acts, spending excessive money, and aggression.
- The pregnancy is planned.
You can tell if you are addicted to alcohol by asking yourself: "Are you looking for reasons or excuses why you can and should drink? How often does this happen? Evaluate how the situation has changed recently. Answer these questions as honestly as possible.
This way you can know if you really need to give up alcohol or if you already drink it in small quantities and are not addicted.
Stop drinking schedule: what happens after you stop drinking?
"I won't say that I drank too much or too often. But the obligatory minimum of alcohol was as follows: a party on Friday with friends with cocktails, a couple of bottles of beer a week with an interesting movie, a dinner on Sunday with my husband with 1-2 glasses of wine. The decision to quit alcohol completely came unexpectedly. I just thought it would be good to test myself to see if I could stop drinking alcohol completely. My life changed a lot when I quit.
As soon as I told my friends that I don't drink anymore, they took it as a joke and didn't believe it for a long time. They thought I was pregnant or sick with something, since I made such a decision. My husband and my acquaintances did not immediately get used to my complete sobriety. Even my mother was suspicious of this decision and asked if everything was okay. It's strange, but according to people's understanding, sobriety is something out of the ordinary.
Giving up alcohol was not easy for me. No matter what holiday I came on, people I knew and didn't know were desperately trying to get me drunk: "for your health, " "just a little. "There were more than enough temptations. But I held on. Only after a couple of months did I get used to the idea that there was no place for alcohol in my life.
After a couple of months, I noticed that I had lost weight. All these beer and wine snacks were clearly damaging my figure. I started sleeping much better, with so much energy in the morning. My husband and I continue to meet friends. But there were much fewer parties and noisy parties. It turned out that without doping in the form of alcohol, loud music in bars is only annoying. I perceive all of this as positive changes: I have many free nights. At the same time, there is no hangover in the morning. My husband and I enrolled in a dance school. It's not just the holidays that can bring joy.
At the moment I haven't drunk for six months. And I have no intention of interrupting my sober lifestyle, I liked it. I'm glad for everything that happened to me after giving up alcohol. "It's like I've become freer. "
If a person drinks only occasionally and strictly controls the amount of alcohol, it will be easy for him to give up a bad habit. But when alcohol consumption becomes a disease and physical dependence has already formed, the body will "resist" reducing the doses of alcoholic beverages. It is worth preparing for the fact that the transition to a healthy lifestyle will take more than a month.
How does the body recover after giving up alcohol?
| a period of time | Physiological and emotional changes. |
|---|---|
| 1st day | After many years of drinking alcohol, even one day without alcohol is an impressive period of time. The body will "demand" another dose of ethyl alcohol. The first thing someone who stops drinking will have to deal with is withdrawal symptoms of varying severity. Symptoms are: nausea, constipation or diarrhea; dizziness; headache; hand tremors; increased body temperature; humor changes |
| 2nd day | Signs of alcohol withdrawal syndrome are slightly reduced compared to the first day. But the body still goes through an active detoxification process - the elimination of the breakdown products of ethyl alcohol. This may be accompanied by abdominal pain. In some cases, during the body's recovery, discomfort in the liver also appears. My head keeps pounding. A person who has begun to fight addiction seeks solitude, becomes irritable, sometimes aggressive, and suffers from insomnia or nightmares. He sees everything in black; It seems like he will always be this bad. Therefore, it is in the first days that it is most difficult to cope with the urge to drink. I want to get rid of this torment as quickly as possible. At this time, great anxiety and panic can arise, sometimes leading to an obsessive thought that if you don't drink, you may die. Everything is aggravated by the serious state of the body: in the process of adaptation to work without alcohol, all body systems can malfunction, which is why this terrible impression arises: "I will die now if I don't drink. " |
| 3rd day | The body begins to recover in the first days after giving up alcohol. Physical well-being improves. But the psyche is still "on the edge. "Even the sound of a dripping faucet can irritate an addict. Mood swings cause headaches and outbursts of aggression. The dream is still disturbed |
| 4-5th day | Withdrawal syndrome in addicts in the first and second stages of alcoholism almost completely disappears. Someone who stops drinking develops an appetite. But large meals can cause nausea and intestinal problems. |
| 6-8th day | The addict's withdrawal symptoms disappear completely. Your mental state improves significantly. About 7 days after quitting alcohol, sleep returns to normal. A person begins to sleep more deeply, which means that he or she feels much more alert than before. A surge of energy often makes you finally want to exercise. A person's skin tone improves (swelling and red spots disappear), hands stop shaking, and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract normalizes. |
| 2 weeks | Over the next week, thought processes are restored: consciousness becomes clearer, and confusion in thoughts finally disappears. The headaches no longer bother me. Doctors note that 2 weeks after completely quitting alcohol, heart rate and blood pressure return to normal, shortness of breath disappears and breathing is restored. A person who stops drinking may experience weight gain during this period. Some people try to compensate for giving up alcoholic beverages with delicious food. |
| Month | At the end of the first month after stopping alcohol, the body eliminates the breakdown products of ethyl alcohol. However, the psychological state can be serious: as a rule, the person is sad and depressed. You have lost your usual behavior pattern and this is stress. Now you need to figure out how to live longer, what to do, what to do, what to do, etc. Only after having gone through the first stage of abstinence does he rejoice and enjoy a sober life for several days, but immediately afterwards the "struggle of motives" begins: "to drink or not", and this creates tension and risk. of developing depression. On the one hand, a person understands that he feels better and has endured severe pain, but the cravings and the formed pattern of behavior do not allow him to completely give up alcohol. A person is between "to be or not to be", he begins to look for reasons to drink, he looks for excuses. Hence the mood swings and increased irritability. If you prepare for this, that is, you understand that it is inevitable, but temporary and will pass soon, perhaps it will be a little easier. But the physical condition improves: the teeth become whiter, the swelling of the face and limbs disappears, and the dark circles disappear. The tremor in my hands, if it was present before, no longer bothers me. During the first and subsequent months after quitting alcohol, liver function is actively restored. |
| 3 months | When someone stops drinking, their immune system begins to function at full capacity. The person is healthy and energetic. He has already learned to spend his free time without alcohol, finding an interesting activity. Even a long period of abstinence is no guarantee that a person will not relapse if he starts drinking alcohol again. The risk of relapse remains very high. If during periods of life difficulties your hand reaches for a bottle of alcohol, you should stop. Only willpower will help you endure |
| Six months | 6 months is an impressive period of sober living. People struggling with addiction often find interesting interests and hobbies during this time. It helps you not think about alcohol while you enjoy life. |
| Year | The physical and emotional state of the person who stops drinking is stable. A person realizes that life without alcohol is wonderful. He actively communicates with friends and family, seeks goals in life and achieves them. After a long period of abstinence from alcohol, the liver and kidneys completely recover, if serious pathologies in the functioning of the organs were not previously diagnosed. |
Abrupt cessation of alcohol: mistakes, consequences.
There is an opinion that abruptly quitting alcohol can harm health. This is only partially true.
If we talk about infrequent consumption of alcohol in small doses, then the complete abolition of alcohol-containing drinks will only have a positive effect on the state of the body. With the right behavioral attitudes, a person can quit alcohol easily and painlessly. In this case, the phrase "you can't suddenly stop drinking" is just an excuse for those who are not yet ready to lead a sober lifestyle.
And for people who have been diagnosed with the first or second stage of alcoholism, quitting alcohol abruptly can be really harmful. They, as a rule, face a real withdrawal. The withdrawal syndrome is shown in all its splendor. In the acute phase, it can cause seizures and fainting, which has negative health consequences.
Why does the addict's body react so violently to a decrease in the concentration of ethanol in the blood? If a person drank for a long time, the functions of internal systems changed significantly under the influence of alcohol: the synthesis of enzymes and hormones was disrupted, and organs began to function poorly. The body needs time to recover after giving up alcohol; The detoxification process lasts at least a month.
If alcoholism is diagnosed, the process of detoxification of the body must be carried out under the supervision of specialists. In some cases, withdrawal of the drug by the patient from excessive alcohol consumption is necessary. Since sudden withdrawal from alcohol can have negative consequences for a person's health, it is impossible to practice various folk methods to get rid of excessive alcohol consumption.
Benefits of a sober lifestyle
Getting rid of alcohol addiction is a long road that can be accompanied by numerous relapses. This is a true test of willpower and endurance. But as a reward, you get all the benefits of a sober life.
What positive changes will occur after giving up alcohol?
- Excellent health
Alcohol consumption negatively affects the state of most organs. Even "weak" alcoholic beverages harm the liver, kidneys, pancreas, cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract. Giving up alcohol is an effective prevention of many serious diseases that cause premature death.
In general, a sober lifestyle strengthens the immune system. Say "no" to alcohol and you will see that you will get sick less in winter. Already in the first month after giving up alcohol, the condition of the skin, hair and nails improves. You will notice that you look much better in appearance.
- Sweet dreams
There is an opinion that a couple of glasses of wine in the evening help you fall asleep better. This is a myth that it is time to stop believing. When the effects of alcohol wear off, a person may wake up, which disrupts their rest. Sleep after drinking even a small amount of alcohol is restless and superficial.
After 2-3 weeks of complete abstinence from alcohol, sleep is restored. Your rest does not disturb anything, which means that you feel cheerful in the morning.
- I feel happy
Many people think that alcohol is a great antidepressant. But the fact is that it gives a good mood only for a short period of time. And then apathy, aggression and guilt follow. The entire spectrum of negative emotions disappears, you just have to drink a little more. This is how psychological dependence on alcohol is formed: a person stops enjoying life without the stimulus of alcoholic beverages.
If you lead a sober lifestyle, you will gradually learn to be happy without alcohol. By giving up alcohol, the body will "resist" demanding another dose of doping. But only a month will pass and you will look at the world with completely different eyes.
- Excellent memory
Scientists have found that drinking alcohol reduces a person's ability to remember, since with the development of addiction, ethyl alcohol gradually destroys neural connections in the brain. An "experienced" alcoholic will have difficulty remembering an address or a date.
But the interruption of neuronal connections is a reversible process. All you have to do is stop drinking. By giving up alcohol, you will notice that your thoughts become clearer: any information is better absorbed and remembered, and the overall performance of the brain improves. It is believed that memory efficiency can be restored in an average of 2 to 3 months.
- Financial stability
Positive changes in the body are not the only benefit of quitting alcohol. Another good advantage is saving money. High-quality alcoholic beverages are expensive, which can be a blow to the budget.
Calculate for yourself how much you will save per month if you give up your daily serving of wine before going to bed.
9 tips to help you quit alcohol
No matter how long it took you to decide to stop drinking alcohol, transitioning to a sober lifestyle involves major changes in your life. You will have to change your established habits and work on yourself.
The following recommendations will help you quit alcohol in the initial stages of alcohol consumption:
- Take a sober break
For those who cannot get used to the idea that now there will not be a drop of alcohol in their life, they can try to trick their brain. A good option is to take a "sobriety break. "That is, first, set an achievable goal: not to drink anything for 30 days. It will be a kind of break in the established lifestyle with regular alcohol consumption.
Perhaps, having experienced all the positive changes after quitting alcohol, a short break will give you an incentive to quit drinking forever.
- Find an interesting hobby
Replace bad habits with useful ones. This will distract you in the first, most difficult weeks after giving up alcohol completely. An interesting hobby will calm you down and give you positive emotions. If before only alcohol brought positivity, now it will be a hobby.
Think about what business you would like to do and start without hesitation.
- Relieve irritation with sports
Withdrawal syndrome is certainly accompanied by mood swings. Sadness, irrepressible joy, aggression, irritability - an addict can experience the entire range of emotions in one hour. This causes discomfort not only to him, but also to those around him.
According to narcologists, sports will help the body after completely giving up alcohol. Physical activity will relieve psycho-emotional stress and distract from negative thoughts. Getting used to regular exercise can be difficult, but over time it will get easier and the effort will pay off in spades. You will be calmer, in addition, you will get your body in shape and strengthen your immune system.
Physical activity can help with alcohol withdrawal in the initial stage, during the so-called "pink period. "In this case, it is advisable to first obtain permission from a doctor.
- Start planning your day
If you give up alcohol, you will have to learn to plan your daily life (at least at first). Let your calendar have as few free "windows" as possible; This way you won't be tempted to spend a boring evening with a glass of wine or beer. Literally in a month you will not have to load yourself hard: you will have many interesting hobbies.
- Show some willpower
Most likely, sooner or later you will face temptation: a party with friends, a party with family. Show willpower and give up alcohol. At first it may seem unusual, but very soon you will learn to have fun without any doping.
During periods of even temporary abstinence from alcohol, it is not necessary to stay at home. Get together with friends and loved ones. But make sure beforehand that there will be enough non-alcoholic drinks at the party.
- Tell the world about your wish.
Share your decision to stop drinking with those around you, at least with those closest to you. Friends and family will undoubtedly support your goals. And with that foundation you can overcome any difficulty. In addition, you minimize the risk of suffering nervous breakdowns: knowing that you have seriously decided to give up alcohol, your friends will not convince you to drink.
Blogging on the Internet will help someone. Motivate. Share your successes and failures with your subscribers, get their support.
- Start Keeping a Sobriety Journal
Not ready to publicly state your goals and plans? Then start a personal journal. This is also helpful in getting rid of bad habits.
On the pages of your journal, record the process of quitting alcohol day by day: physical and emotional state after quitting alcohol, future plans and goals.
- If you make a mistake, don't get angry.
No one is immune to making mistakes on the way to achieving a goal. Given how difficult it is to break bad habits, don't beat yourself up if you fail in trying to stop drinking for good. This is not a failure, but simply a difficulty on the right path. Let this be additional motivation not to fail next time.
- Leverage behavior change technology
The goal of a sober lifestyle deserves respect. But you don't have to do it alone. The process of completely quitting alcohol will be much easier if you seek the help of a psychologist.
Behavioral psychology, based on changing destructive behavior patterns, shows effectiveness in the fight against addictions. Behavior change technology showed excellent results. The course will help you quickly and effectively get rid of alcohol addiction.
Completing the course will help you develop positive attitudes and stop drinking alcohol. You will learn a healthy behavior pattern, which is necessary if you have set the goal of finally saying a firm "no" to alcohol. The training will help you transition to a sober lifestyle with minimal physical and psychological discomfort. You will realize how good it is to live without alcohol: a stable emotional state, high performance and good health will accompany you.
Working with a psychologist on behavior change technology lasts up to 6 weeks. You don't need to share with your friends or family that you are receiving training. Classes are strictly confidential and you can take them at a time that suits you best. Specialists answer all questions and provide advice via email, chat and phone.