In the life of every thinking person who is in a protracted situation of alcohol abuse comes a borderline phase in which he asks the questions: what's next and how can he stop drinking? For radical changes to occur, doubts and thoughts alone are not enough; they must be supported by a firm determination to implement our plans. If it were that simple, how to stop drinking liquor forever, or even just how to stop drinking beer, would not be so acute in front of millions of people. However, this is possible and the examples of the lucky ones who managed to break out of this vicious circle serve as confirmation.
What is alcoholism?
Experts say that alcoholism is not just an addiction but also a serious illness. It has a somatic character, which is why there is both a psychological and a physiological dependence on strong drinks. In addition, alcoholism is a personal, social, and even economic problem that affects many. The disease paralyzes not only the fate and bodies of alcoholics, but also the lives of loved ones.
Regardless of this, beer alcoholism should be talked about as too many are wondering how to stop drinking beer. Although this drink is weak, it is quite insidious. Since it rarely leads to serious alcoholism, most do not consider it dangerous, but often it is impossible for many to stop drinking beer.
This beer contains a calming hop extract. Because of this, many people have cravings for this drink during stressful times. But do not forget that this is still an alcoholic drink, which is also rich in phytoestrogens (an analogue of female sex hormones). And since beer lovers are often men, this hobby does not leave them without a trace. They usually show signs of feminization (muscle weakness, breast enlargement, distribution of female body fat). Hence, it is important to stop drinking beer before these problems occur.
Causes of the disease
Despite the opinion of scientists that in some cases alcohol addiction is due to a hereditary predisposition, but no one born is doomed to become an alcoholic. After all, drunkards aren't born, they are. And everyone has their own way of falling into this trap. Someone who can cope with the problems of personal life, the loss of a loved one, and someone who gets into this vicious circle "helps" a happy company of drinking companions.
Some drink out of boredom to kill time, others - out of courage, to get rid of some fears or to relax in company. Whatever the reason a person drinks alcohol, the result is always the same - ruined life, health, depraved relationships with loved ones, broken families, careers, moral and spiritual degradation of the individual.
Depression can also cause alcoholism.
Pathology stages
There are several stages in the development of alcohol addiction.
- Although a person who drinks has an increased craving for alcohol, has not yet developed physical dependence, which means that there is no withdrawal syndrome. But it is difficult for him to fight the urge to drink because he does not understand why he should give up something that gives a lot of pleasure. In addition, at this point, many still believe that they are in complete control of the process, but that is far from being. People are more tolerant of alcohol and this often increases their confidence that "they know how to drink". At this stage, people drink up to memory loss or total power outages.
- In the second phase, physical dependence on alcohol begins to develop, and attempts to stop drinking are associated with severe withdrawal syndrome, reminiscent of drug withdrawal. In addition, it is during this period that tolerance reaches its peak, that is, alcoholic drinks, and does not get drunk. At this point, a person already needs medical help to overcome the addiction.
- The third stage is characterized by a complete lack of control, mental and spiritual degradation of a person, when poisoning occurs even with the smallest doses of alcohol. A similar phenomenon is linked to the fact that a person at the heightened tolerance level drank alcohol in amounts that could put a normal person into a coma and eventually resulted in the liver ceasing to produce enzymes that break down alcohol.
Since it is possible to quit drinking alcohol yourself only in the first phase of addiction, which many "slip through" without understanding the problem ahead, do not feed yourself with illusions and seek help from specialists immediately.
The nuances of female alcoholism
Alcoholism is often viewed as a male problem, but it is by no means the case. Yes, female alcoholism is not that common phenomenon, which is explained by the specifics of women's psyche: they are more resistant to stress. In addition, society imposes certain stereotypes, and alcohol often becomes a status drink, a particular mark of masculinity. Therefore, the motivation to drink strong drinks in men is stronger. Under these conditions, women have fewer opportunities to sleep.
But it's much more difficult for a woman to stop drinking, especially on her own. This is made easier by the female physiology: Ethanol is broken down a little more poorly by the liver and is absorbed much faster in the intestine. Because of these properties of the body, strong drinks harm women much more. First of all, reproductive function suffers: women who systematically consume alcohol are more likely to be diagnosed with infertility, and children with physical and mental disabilities are born. And since it is very difficult for a woman to stop drinking, it is better for any healthy woman to give up alcohol altogether.
Tactics to remove addiction
There are different strategies for eliminating alcohol addiction. Some experts believe that it is necessary to gradually "bind" by lowering the alcohol dose to acceptable levels or to zero. The obvious plus of this method is the lack of withdrawal symptoms. In practice, however, this method is quite difficult to use due to the high risk of breakdown and return to hard drinking. Therefore, the technique is rarely used.
Another method is a one-step, complete rejection of alcohol. Its undeniable advantage is that it is less tempting for the patient to return to the previous way of life. However, it is not recommended to use this technique if a person is in a binge due to the increased risk of withdrawal. In this case, experts first take a person out of the binge and only then introduce a complete taboo against alcohol. It is very important that the choice of this or that method is made by a narcologist, and not by the patient himself or his relatives. Since it is not that easy to stop drinking at home, there is no need to hesitate to see a doctor.
Avoiding alcohol altogether is a technique for stopping drinking.
Ways to deal with a harmful disease
Fighting a destructive habit is pointless until the person realizes they are sick and need help. Only such people stop drinking once and for all. But most alcoholics do not adequately judge their behavior, believe that there is no problem, and they can "stop" alcohol at any time. Since the problem is obvious to the environment, loved ones can force them to stop drinking forever by being moralistic or trying to cure it cleverly.
But no matter what drugs are given to such a person, no matter how well psychologists work with them, the result will be predictable - the patient will not be able to stop drinking for a long time and sooner or later break down and return to addiction. Without an internal attitude to change everything, any act is useless.
There are many ways to help get rid of alcoholism for those who are determined to stop drinking. But there is no universal method that would suit absolutely everyone. Since all people are different and get addicted in different ways, they get out of this trap in different ways. Of course, willpower should not be underestimated, as there are those who have been able to stop drinking on their own. But there are few of them, as it is mainly those people who do not have an iron will that slip into alcoholism.
Also, don't forget that the decision to stop drinking is the result of clear thinking. During longstanding alcoholism, ethanol disrupts natural processes in the NS, and many of these people do not have a purely physical ability to make such a decision. However, this is only one side of the coin. The other is that alcohol is physically addicting and sudden rejection of alcohol can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
Psychological Techniques
They are useful for anyone who quits alcohol, regardless of whether they embarked on this route alone or with the help of a narcologist. The first thing a person should do is analyze the factors that led them to become addicted. The first priority is to avoid such provoking factors. Then you need to focus on the following.
Find your call
Often times, a person begins to drink in order to balance the contrast between the actual state and their expectations, ambitions and the impossibility of being fully realized. This is another reason for men to be addicted to alcohol. Because questions of self-realization and status come first for her.
A change of activity or job can help. But don't underestimate hobbies and hobbies. It is necessary to find such a hobby that is fully grasped and leaves almost no free time not only to drink, but also to think about it. The possibilities for hobbies are endless, but on this matter it is important to understand that successes in every area are not immediately apparent. Hence, satisfaction with the process itself is very important.
Reject the previous circle and minimize temptation
Of course, there should be no alcohol in an addict's home. You cannot leave or stow drinks for guests. In addition, beer should not even be tempted to seduce you as most of them cannot stop drinking beer. The problem is, a lot of people don't take their beer addiction seriously.
In addition, there should be no empty bottles in the home of a person who stops drinking, as nothing should be a reminder of the past. All these nuances should be remembered by his surroundings. Relatives are obliged to help the person who stops drinking in every possible way, and if he or she sees for herself that she or his friends are withdrawing him to addiction, it is worth changing the circle of friends, or at least interacting with such peopletemporarily restrict.
To stop drinking, you must throw all alcohol out of the house.
The addict should not go to places where alcohol can be sold (banquets, parties), and first of all it is better to bypass the outlets for alcohol. In the first stage of the fight, the will of the thrower is still very weak, so he does not need unnecessary temptations.
Self-promotion
It's also important to reward yourself for giving up alcohol. Instead of buying another bottle, you can settle for something that just wasn't enough money for before. You can also have a separate piggy bank and refill it every time you want to buy a drink. As a rule, after a month of such an experiment, a person is literally overwhelmed by the amount saved.
Communication
Harmony with other people and comfortable communication are great tools against alcoholism. Sometimes just realizing how much easier and more constructive it is to communicate with people in a sober state than in an altered state is enough for things to go smoothly. Because of this, there are many alcoholic support groups out there where you not only share your story but also get the support you need.
Medicines
Pharmaceutical companies systematically supply the market with drugs against alcohol addiction. But you need to understand that these are not magic pills, from taking them alcoholism will go away on its own. They are only a resource for those who have embarked on a difficult path of self-healing and help not to turn away from it.
There are two types of drugs used: some induce an aversion to alcohol, others help to get rid of physical dependence on alcohol. The first group of drugs is suitable for people who have never had a particularly severe hangover syndrome and therefore quickly became addicted to alcohol.
In the second case, benzodiazepines are attributed with a pronounced physical dependence on alcohol, which act on the same receptors as ethanol. However, the intake should be short, since instead of alcohol dependence, an even more dangerous dependence on psychotropic drugs can occur.
Folk Remedies
The most popular means of cleansing the body from alcoholic toxins is oat infusion. To prepare it, pour 1 cup of oats with 5 cups of boiling water and leave for at least 3 hours. Drink it 0, 5 cups before meals, 5 times a day.
Aversion to alcohol helps induce such a simple remedy as the thyme infusion. To get the product, you need 15 g of herbs, pour 500 ml of boiling water and stand for 15 minutes. Use the infusion in the amount of 50 ml of the product per 15 ml of vodka.
St John's wort boiling has the same properties. It is made according to the following scheme: 4 tbsp. l. Herbs are poured with 500 ml of hot water, and the product is kept in a water bath for at least half an hour. The finished broth is taken twice a day for a period of 2 weeks.
The influence of diet and lifestyle on pathology
Diet and physical activity are equally important during alcohol withdrawal. It is important for a thirsty person to adhere to a drinking regime (water helps detoxify the body) and drink 2 to 2. 5 liters of water a day. It is also worth paying attention to diet and introducing products that stimulate the synthesis of endorphins and serotonin (fresh fruit, chocolate, meat) and contain B vitamins (legumes, fish, eggs). At the same time, it is necessary to adhere to diet moderation and limit fat, spiciness and saltiness, since long-term alcohol consumption is associated with the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system.
The introduction of sport into the life of such a person is no less important. Even a simple walk stimulates the release of endorphins. When you add exercise, yoga, and jogging, it will significantly strengthen not only the body but the nervous system as well. However, when choosing physical activity, it is necessary to take into account the general state of health of the person - in some cases, exercise may be contraindicated.