When you are consuming too much alcohol, you are not only hurting yourself but also those around you. Alcohol addiction, also known as alcoholism, is a very common affliction that is experienced by teens and adults all over the world. It is best that you stop drinking alcoholic substances as soon as possible so that you won't become addicted to it. If you are already suffering from alcoholism, then these tips to stop drinking alcohol may be able to help you.
Before you start treating your addiction, you must first make sure that you are prepared to do it. You will not succeed if you are only treating yourself because you feel like you need to do it or because someone ordered you to do it. In order for these tips to work, you must make sure that you really want to stop drinking alcohol.
During the first few weeks after you stop consuming alcoholic substances, you will most likely experience some uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms are tremors, irritability, and insomnia. You may also experience severe withdrawal symptoms such as hallucinations and seizures. These withdrawal symptoms usually occur within 3 days of cessation.
You will also be craving for alcoholic substances during the first few weeks. You can reduce the cravings by drinking a beverage that does not contain alcohol. Some of the best non-alcoholic drinks that can help reduce the cravings are tonic water with lemon, diet soda, water, coffee, and non-alcoholic beer. You can also take medications that reduce cravings such as Naltrexone and Acamprosate. Make sure that you consult your doctor before you start taking any medications.
You will be able to quit drinking liquor more easily by avoiding people who drink alcohol. If you have friends who drink, tell them that you cannot go out drinking with them for a while. If you really have to go out with them, then order a drink that does not contain alcohol. You should also try to avoid going to places that serve alcoholic beverages (e.g. bars, nightclubs, restaurants) so that you won't get tempted.
You can prevent temptations by keeping your mind busy during your free time. Make yourself busy with a hobby so that you won't have time to think about consuming alcohol. You can play video games, surf the internet, watch movies, cook, etc. It is best to avoid watching TV during the first few weeks because you might get tempted by the beer commercials.
Make sure that you see your doctor before you stop drinking alcohol so that he can make you aware of the withdrawal symptoms that you may experience. Your doctor can also recommend medications that can help cure alcoholism faster. If you have a very severe addiction, then you may need to take medications such as Disulfiram. Disulfiram is an aversion drug that causes vomiting and nausea whenever you drink alcoholic substances.
