Alcohol has become a part of life for many people. A bottle of beer in front of the TV after work, a few glasses of wine with dinner, unlimited cocktails at a friend's birthday party. . . Even if you rarely drink, drinking alcohol sooner or later can become a serious problem - you will develop a bad habit that you will have to fight for a long time. In the article we will discuss an important issue: how to give up alcohol. How will your life change after quitting alcohol?
Who should stop drinking alcohol completely?
Cessation is reducing the 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. This may be a health problem caused, among other things, by excessive drinking. Another common reason is a person's desire to lead a healthy lifestyle, experiencing all the benefits that come from quitting alcohol.
Courtesy is required if:
- Alcohol addiction develops quickly - withdrawal symptoms appear, and you can no longer reduce the amount of alcohol you drink on your own.
- There are physical or mental illnesses that are aggravated by drinking alcohol.
- Even a small amount of alcohol leads to a loss of self-control - committing rash acts, excessive spending of money, aggression.
- The pregnancy was planned.
You can understand if you are addicted to alcohol by asking yourself the question: "Are you looking for reasons or reasons why you can and should drink? How often does this happen? Assess how things have changed recently. Answer these questions honestlymaybe
This way you can understand whether you really need to stop alcohol, or whether you already drink it in small quantities and are not addicted.
Stop drinking calendar: what happens after you stop drinking?
"I wouldn't say that I drink too much or too often. But the mandatory minimum of alcohol is as follows: Friday party with friends with cocktails, a few bottles of beer a week with an interesting movie, Sunday dinner with my husband with 1-2glass of wine. The decision to give up 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 stopped.
Once I told my friends that I no longer drink, they took it as a joke and didn't believe me for a long time. They thought that I was pregnant or sick with something, because I made such a decision. My acquaintances and my husband did not immediately get used to my calmness. Even my mother couldn't believe this decision and asked if everything was fine. It's strange, but in people's understanding, calmness is something extraordinary.
Quitting alcohol was not easy for me. No matter what holiday I'm on, people I know and don't know desperately try to get me drunk - "it's for your health, " "just a little. "There's more than enough temptation. But I survived. It was only after a few months that I got used to the idea that there was no place for alcohol in my life.
After a few months, I realized that I had lost weight. All these snacks for beer and wine are obviously harmful to my body. I began to sleep more soundly - such enthusiasm in the morning. My husband and I continue to see friends. But there are fewer feasts and noisy parties. It turns out that without doping in the form of alcohol, loud music in bars is just annoying. I consider all this a positive change - I have a lot of free nights. At the same time, there is no hangover in the morning. My husband and I signed up for dance school. Not only parties can bring joy.
At this time I did not drink for six months. And I don't intend to disturb my quiet lifestyle - I like it. I am happy with everything that happened to me after quitting alcohol. It's like I've become more independent. "
If a person only drinks occasionally and strictly controls the amount of alcohol, giving up bad habits will be easy for him. But when the use of alcohol develops into a disease, and physical dependence has formed, the body will "resist" reducing the dose of alcoholic beverages. Be prepared for the fact that the transition to a healthy lifestyle will take more than a month.
How does the body recover after quitting alcohol?
| A period of time | Physiological and emotional changes |
|---|---|
| first day | After years of drinking alcohol, even a day without alcohol is an impressive amount of time. The body will "demand" another dose of ethyl alcohol. The first thing a person who stops drinking has to deal with is withdrawal symptoms of varying severity. The symptoms are: nausea, constipation or diarrhea; dizziness; Headache; hand tremors; increased body temperature; emotional changes |
| 2nd day | Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome are slightly reduced compared to the first day. But the body still undergoes an active detoxification process - removal of the breakdown products of ethyl alcohol. This may be accompanied by abdominal pain. In some cases, during the recovery of the body, discomfort in the heart also appears. My head kept throbbing. A person who has begun to struggle with addiction seeks solitude, is irritable, sometimes aggressive, and experiences insomnia or nightmares. He sees everything in black - it seems that it will always be this bad. Therefore, it is in the first days that it is most difficult to overcome the desire to drink. I want to get rid of this torment as soon as possible. At this time, severe anxiety and panic may arise, sometimes flowing into obsessive thoughts that if you don't drink, you can die. Everything is worsened by a serious condition of the body: in the process of adapting to work without alcohol, all body systems can malfunction, which is why this adverse effect arises - "I will die now if I don't drink. " |
| 3rd day | The body begins its recovery in the first days after quitting alcohol. Physical well-being improves. But the soul is still "on the limit. "Even the sound of a dripping pipe can irritate an addict. Mood swings trigger headaches and outbursts of aggression. Sleep is still disturbed |
| 4th-5th day | Withdrawal syndrome in addicts in the first and second stages of alcoholism almost completely recedes. A person who stops drinking will develop an appetite. But eating big can cause nausea and intestinal problems |
| 6-8 days | The withdrawal symptoms of the addict disappear completely. His mental state improved significantly. About 7 days after stopping alcohol, sleep returns to normal. A person begins to sleep more soundly, which means he feels more alert than before. A surge of energy often makes you want to exercise. A person's skin tone improves (swelling and red spots disappear) and the hands stop trembling, and the function of the gastrointestinal tract becomes normal. |
| 2 weeks | Over the next week, the thought process is restored - awareness becomes clearer, confusion in thinking finally disappears. Headaches no longer bother me. Doctors note that 2 weeks after completely stopping 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 drinks with delicious food. |
| moon | By the end of the first month after quitting alcohol, the body releases the breakdown products of ethyl alcohol. However, the psychological state can be severe: as a rule, the person is sad and depressed. He has lost his usual pattern of behavior, and this is stressful. Now he has to think about how to live further, what to do, what to do, what to do, etc. Only after he went through the first stage of withdrawal, he was happy and enjoyed a quiet life for a few days, but immediately after that the "motive struggle" began - "to drink or not, " and this led to tension and the risk of developing depression. On the one hand, a person understands that he feels better and that he has experienced severe pain, but the desires and behavioral patterns that have formed do not allow him to give up alcohol completely. A person is between "to be or not", he starts looking for an excuse to drink, he looks for an excuse. Hence, mood swings and increased irritability. If you are prepared for this, that is, understand that it is inevitable, but temporary and will pass soon, maybe it will be easier. But the physical condition improved - the teeth became whiter, the swelling of the face and limbs disappeared, the circles under the eyes disappeared. Trembling in the hands, if it was present before, no longer bothers me. During the first month and beyond after quitting alcohol, liver function is actively restored |
| 3 months | When a person stops drinking, their immune system starts working at full capacity. The person is healthy and energetic. He has learned to spend his free time without alcohol, looking for interesting activities. Even a long period of abstinence is no guarantee that a person will not relapse if he starts drinking again. The risk of recurrence is still very high. If during a difficult period of life your hand reaches for a bottle of alcohol, you need to stop yourself. Only willpower will help you survive |
| Six months | 6 months is a wonderful period to live sober. People struggling with addiction usually find interesting interests and hobbies during this time. It helps you not think about alcohol while enjoying life. |
| year | The physical and emotional state of people who stop drinking is stable. One realizes that life without alcohol is beautiful. 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 are fully restored, if no serious pathology in organ function was previously diagnosed |
Abrupt cessation of alcohol: mistakes, consequences
There is an opinion that stopping alcohol suddenly can harm your health. This is only partially true.
If we are talking about the rare use of alcohol in small doses, then the complete abolition of alcoholic beverages will only have a positive effect on the state of the body. With the right attitude of behavior, a person can easily and painlessly leave alcohol. In this case, the phrase "you can't stop drinking suddenly" is just an excuse for those who are not ready to lead a sober lifestyle.
And for people who have been diagnosed with 1st or 2nd degree alcoholism, stopping alcohol suddenly can be really dangerous. They, as a rule, face real production. Withdrawal syndrome shows itself in all its glory. In the acute stage, it can trigger convulsions and fainting, which is fraught with negative consequences for health.
Why does the addict's body react so violently to a drop in ethanol concentration in the blood? If a person drinks for a long time, the function of the internal system changes significantly under the influence of alcohol - the synthesis of enzymes and hormones is disrupted, and organs begin to malfunction. The body takes time to recover after quitting alcohol - the detoxification process lasts at least a month.
If alcoholism is diagnosed, the detoxification process of the body must take place under the supervision of a specialist. In some cases, drug withdrawal of the patient from excessive drinking is necessary. Since a sudden abstinence from alcohol can have a negative effect on a person's health, it is impossible to practice various folk methods to get rid of alcohol.
Benefits of a conscious lifestyle
Getting rid of alcohol addiction is a long journey, which can be accompanied by many relapses. This is a true test of will and endurance. But as a reward, you get all the benefits of a quiet life.
What positive changes will occur after quitting alcohol?
- Excellent health
Alcohol consumption has a negative effect on the state of most organs. Even drinks containing "weak" alcohol harm the liver, kidneys, pancreas, cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal tract. Quitting alcohol is an effective prevention of many serious diseases that cause early death.
In general, a quiet lifestyle strengthens the immune system. Say "no" to alcohol and you will see that you are less sick in winter. Already in the first month of quitting alcohol, the condition of your skin, hair and nails improves. You will see that you look better in appearance.
- Beautiful dreams
There is an opinion that a few glasses of wine in the evening helps you sleep better. This is a myth that it's time to stop believing. When the effects of alcohol wear off, a person may wake up, which disturbs his rest. Sleep after drinking even a little alcohol is restless and shallow.
After 2-3 weeks of complete abstinence from alcohol, sleep is restored. Your rest does not interfere with anything, which means that you feel cheerful in the morning.
- Feeling 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 whole chain of negative emotions disappears, you just need to drink less. This is how psychological dependence on alcohol is formed - a person stops enjoying life without the stimulation of alcoholic beverages.
By living a sober lifestyle, you will gradually learn to be happy without alcohol. When giving up alcohol, the body will "resist" this, demanding another dose of doping. But only a month will pass, and you will see the world with completely different eyes.
- Excellent memory
Scientists have found that drinking alcohol reduces a person's ability to remember, because with the development of addiction, ethyl alcohol gradually destroys nerve connections in the brain. A "seasoned" alcoholic will have difficulty remembering addresses or any dates.
But disruption of neural connections is a reversible process. All you have to do is stop drinking. By stopping drinking 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 2-3 months.
- Financial stability
Positive changes in the body are not the only benefits of quitting alcohol. Another nice bonus is saving money. High-quality alcoholic beverages are expensive - this can affect the budget.
Calculate for yourself how much you will save each month if you give up your daily serving of wine before bed.
9 tips to help you quit alcohol
No matter how long it takes you to stop drinking alcohol, transitioning to a sober lifestyle involves major life changes. You need to change existing habits and work on yourself.
The following suggestions will help you quit alcohol in the early stages of drinking:
- Rest in peace
For those who cannot get used to the idea that now there will not be a drop of alcohol in their life, you can try to trick your brain. A good option is to take a "quiet break. "That is, first, set yourself an achievable goal - not to drink at all for 30 days. This will be a kind of break in the lifestyle that has been established with regular alcohol consumption.
Perhaps, after experiencing all the positive changes after quitting alcohol, a short break will give you an incentive to stop drinking forever.
- Find an interesting hobby
Replace bad habits with good habits. This will distract you in the first week, the most difficult, after completely quitting alcohol. An interesting hobby will calm you down and give you positive emotions. If before only alcohol brought positive, now it will be a hobby.
Think about what business you want to do and start without hesitation.
- Relieve irritation with sports
Withdrawal syndrome is definitely accompanied by mood swings. Sadness, uncontrollable joy, aggression, irritation - an addict can experience a wide range of emotions in an hour. This causes discomfort not only for him, but also for those around him.
According to narcologists, sports will help the body after completely quitting alcohol. Physical activity will relieve psycho-emotional stress and divert attention from negative thoughts. Getting into the habit of regular exercise can be difficult, but over time it will get easier, and the effort will pay off handsomely. You will be calmer, in addition, you will get your body in shape and strengthen your immune system.
Physical activity can help with alcohol abstinence in the early stages, during the so-called "pink period". In this case, it is advisable to first obtain permission from the doctor.
- Start planning your day
If you stop drinking alcohol, you need to learn to plan your day (at least at first). Let there be a little free "window" in your schedule - then there will be no temptation to relax on a boring night with a glass of wine or beer. Literally in a month you will not have to force yourself - you will have many interesting hobbies.
- Show some will
Most likely, sooner or later you will face temptation - a party with friends, a feast with relatives. Show willingness and stop drinking alcohol. At first it may be strange, but soon you will learn to have fun without any doping.
During the period of abstinence from alcohol even temporarily, there is no need to stay at home. Meet friends and loved ones. But make sure in advance that there will be enough non-alcoholic drinks at the party.
- Tell the world about your desires
Share your decision to stop drinking with the people around you, at least with those closest to you. Friends and family members will definitely support your goals. And with such a foundation you can overcome any difficulties. In addition, you minimize the risk of damage - knowing that you have seriously decided to quit alcohol, your friends will not persuade you to drink.
Blogging on the Internet will help someone. It's motivating. Share your successes and failures with your customers, get support from them.
- Start keeping a sobriety diary
Not ready to put your goals and plans on public display? Then start a personal diary. This is also useful when getting rid of bad habits.
On the pages of your diary, 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 be upset
No one is immune from mistakes on the way to achieving goals. Given how difficult it can be to break a bad habit, don't beat yourself up if you fail when trying to quit drinking for good. This is not a failure, but only a difficulty on the right path. Use this as extra motivation so you don't fail in the future.
- Leverage behavior change technology
Healthy lifestyle goals deserve respect. But you don't have to go there alone. The process of completely quitting alcohol will be easier if you seek help from a psychologist.
Behavioral psychology, based on changing destructive behavior patterns, shows effectiveness in the fight against addiction. Behavior change technology shows excellent results. This course will help you quickly and effectively get rid of alcohol addiction.
Completing this course will help you develop a positive attitude and stop drinking alcohol. You will learn healthy behavior patterns, which are necessary if you have set a goal to finally say a firm "no" to alcohol. These exercises will help you transition to a calm lifestyle with minimal physical and psychological discomfort. You will realize how good life is without alcohol - you will be accompanied by a stable emotional state, high performance and good health.
Working with a psychologist on behavior change technology lasts up to 6 weeks. You don't have to share with your friends or family that you are training. Classes are confidential and you can take them at a time that suits you. Experts answer all questions and provide advice via email, chat and phone.