Should you consult a doctor?
This all depends on the level of your drinking at present. If you are experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, i.e. panic attacks, severe anxiety, the shakes, rapid heart beat, you should seek medical assistance. You may also want to consider taking vitamin B supplements as alcohol affects the ability of the body to absorb these vitamins, especially thiamine. Alternatively increase foods in your diet that contain these vitamins as listed here: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vitamins-minerals/Pages/Vitamin-B.aspx
How long should I give up for?
That choice is up to you. Some people wish to give up forever, whilst some just want to give up for a planned period of time. Both will make you mentally stronger and even if you give up for a few weeks or months, or years for that matter, you may not wish to return to alcohol use at all once you see and feel the benefits of sobriety. It’s wise to start small and work your way up.
Pros and Cons
This is always a good one to start with and in my experience I've only ever come across 2 cases whereby the pros outweighed the cons, and that was based on the clients own version of events.
Pros of drinking could include:-
· Socializing with friends
· Feeling happy
· Feeling alcohol is a reward for hard work
· Celebratory drink
· Being able to afford alcohol on a regular basis
· Wanting to drink to get merry or get the buzz
· Drinking to forget worries, although this one can also be listed as a con as it only masks the problem which usually comes back after the alcohol has worn off.
Cons of drinking could include:-
· Increased risk of strokes
· Likelihood of liver disease (cirrhosis of the liver)
· Vomiting
· Weight gain
· Hangovers
· Impact on work
· Not being able to protect your loved ones
· Selfish behaviour - impact on friends and family
· Looking ugly – ever seen a picture of yourself when you’re drunk!!
· Impact on finances
· Not wanting to face up to problems
· Could lead to anti social or offending behaviour
Each of these problems in their own right will have an affect on other circumstances and inevitably lead to further problems.
So even if the cons outweigh the pros, what then, this doesn't necessarily mean some will stop drinking, most adults know the difference between wrong and right and are aware of the negative impacts on excessive alcohol use, but this does not mean they wish to give up. There are many other factors like status and peer pressure, wanting to be in with the crowd, it takes a brave man, or woman for that matter, to look at him or herself self and realise that external factors are variable and you must stay true to yourself. Granted it's easy to buckle to pressure and the never ending adverts that promote alcohol use but who's ultimately in control, I guess the question to ask yourself is, do you really want to be controlled by external forces?
So, you've made your mind up you want to give it up and regain control of your destiny, what works best? Only you can truly answer that question, the following are tips and thoughts that have helped in my own experience.
So, you've made your mind up you want to give it up and regain control of your destiny, what works best? Only you can truly answer that question, the following are tips and thoughts that have helped in my own experience.
Avoid dangerous situations
Although you can not, and probably should not give up “good” friends, if they have a tendency to drink, then meet them at times when it is socially not acceptable to drink, i.e. lunch breaks at work. There's nothing wrong in going to the local pub for a meal at dinner time if you know you wont give in to pressure.
Avoid meeting friends after work at venues where alcohol is available, it's easy to say you'll have one drink but once the buzz kicks in your inhibitions will also go. You may actually be surprised to find out that in fact, your friends are only occasional drinkers and that you were the one seeking out others for company for a regular drink. If it’s unavoidable and you do have to meet others where alcohol is consumed, be strong, have a positive attitude and think of what you’ll feel like if you come away sober and how you would feel if you gave in and consumed alcohol.
Think money!
What else could you do with your money? Could you donate to a charity on a regular basis? Think how good you would feel helping other less fortunate than you. What could you buy yourself? I've known people to buy expensive watches which then act as a constant reminder of what they have achieved. It doesn’t have to be something expensive, it can be an inexpensive piece of jewelry, semi-precious stone, crystal, pendant etc, just so long as it acts as a constant reminder of the commitment you have made.
New Hobby
The hardest thing people find is how to use the time they would normally spend drinking, you'll find that once you have given up alcohol you will have so much more time on your hands, if you get bored you'll risk going back o the same lifestyle, however, if you take up a hobby, i.e. photography, blogging, music, meditation, martial arts, learn a new subject...anything positive, you'll give yourself a new purpose in life, and you'll find that anything positive you do, will in turn have a positive impact on others. Your circles of friends will change but you don't have to lose your friends, if they truly are good friends they will encourage and support your decisions. If, on the other hand, they pressure you all the time to be with them and drink then you've got to decide their individual value to you.
False status
People actually believe they have a right to drink on Friday nights and that being seen in certain pubs equates to a certain level of "success", yes finances give you that choice to sit and drink in an expensive bar away from the "riff raff" if that's what you want but in closing, just remember who you are and how long will you deny yourself that truth. Change the way you think and change your attitude, you are ridding yourself of an enemy.
Have a pint or two!!
No no…not beer…water, and drink plenty of it. Water will help keep you hydrated, make you feel better, and help flush out toxins from your body and also if your in the habit of having a couple of pints whilst watching a movie this will help trick the mind into satisfying the need.
Pick a significant date to quit, a birthday of a loved one, a religious date, an anniversary (in memory of someone living or deceased), this will act as a stronger reminder than using your own personal birthday because deep down in your subconscious you will feel you are letting down someone else if you relapse.
Protect your sobriety – It’s important to you. Don't worry about everyone else and don’t take ownership of their concerns. Everyone will come around to respect your choice sooner or later. Don't feel that just because you are having guests over you need to offer them a beer or a shot. It is perfectly fine to offer people tea, coffee or a soft drink. Quitting drinking justifies itself. Don't try to explain to others, It takes an alcoholic to know what your going through. Most people do not drink like alcoholics and can’t truly understand that you have a problem.
Change your routine. If you drink at a particular time, i.e. straight after work, involve yourself in another activity, visit someone (who doesn’t drink), go for a walk in the park, cycle, visit the library, temple, church etc.
Don’t blame anyone for the situation you’re in and don’t feel guilty that you should have done something sooner. Alcohol is the enemy, it has slowly led you to believe “it’s ok” and “you were in control”, “you can handle it”, “you’re a great drinker”, “people look up to you because you can drink so much without it affecting you” (apparently) but if you’re reading this now, you know this isn’t the case, you want to regain control of you mind and spirit. Some people may not even want to see you giving up alcohol because it disrupts their status quo, or they may just be jealous that you’re trying to better yourself, you will have to learn to recognise those that are not good company for you. If you're giving up alcohol because you feel guilty, then you're doing it for the wrong reasons. You should be giving alcohol up because you care about yourself, you want to be a better person, you care about the happiness of your family and friends and the people whose lives you touch.
If you feel tempted, use visualization techniques to picture what you might look like when you’re drunk, blurry eyed, out of control, slurring your words, making a fool of yourself, ugly, loud, intimidating. Do you really want to be that person again? So what if you’re an alcoholic, giving up doesn't mean that you can't be a happy, and while we’re talking about looks, remember what wise men have said, “the prettiest women are those that wear a smile”… think of your partner if you have one, do you really expect her to be happy and keep smiling when you are inebriated? This can work for women just as well.
Think of the pain and use the memories to keep you on track, do you really want to go through the headaches, poor digestion, sickness and grogginess again? Do you want to miss work or have to work feeling tied and ill? Do you want to ruin your reputation and risk losing your job because of alcohol?
Embrace the psychological benefits of sobriety. Embrace how good it feels to go to sleep at night without slipping into a coma, and not waking up to a hangover the next day. Think how good it feels to remember everything from the night before, the taste of the food, the atmosphere, wake up feeling fresh and energetic, embrace the better you.
Although you can not, and probably should not give up “good” friends, if they have a tendency to drink, then meet them at times when it is socially not acceptable to drink, i.e. lunch breaks at work. There's nothing wrong in going to the local pub for a meal at dinner time if you know you wont give in to pressure.
Avoid meeting friends after work at venues where alcohol is available, it's easy to say you'll have one drink but once the buzz kicks in your inhibitions will also go. You may actually be surprised to find out that in fact, your friends are only occasional drinkers and that you were the one seeking out others for company for a regular drink. If it’s unavoidable and you do have to meet others where alcohol is consumed, be strong, have a positive attitude and think of what you’ll feel like if you come away sober and how you would feel if you gave in and consumed alcohol.
Think money!
What else could you do with your money? Could you donate to a charity on a regular basis? Think how good you would feel helping other less fortunate than you. What could you buy yourself? I've known people to buy expensive watches which then act as a constant reminder of what they have achieved. It doesn’t have to be something expensive, it can be an inexpensive piece of jewelry, semi-precious stone, crystal, pendant etc, just so long as it acts as a constant reminder of the commitment you have made.
New Hobby
The hardest thing people find is how to use the time they would normally spend drinking, you'll find that once you have given up alcohol you will have so much more time on your hands, if you get bored you'll risk going back o the same lifestyle, however, if you take up a hobby, i.e. photography, blogging, music, meditation, martial arts, learn a new subject...anything positive, you'll give yourself a new purpose in life, and you'll find that anything positive you do, will in turn have a positive impact on others. Your circles of friends will change but you don't have to lose your friends, if they truly are good friends they will encourage and support your decisions. If, on the other hand, they pressure you all the time to be with them and drink then you've got to decide their individual value to you.
False status
People actually believe they have a right to drink on Friday nights and that being seen in certain pubs equates to a certain level of "success", yes finances give you that choice to sit and drink in an expensive bar away from the "riff raff" if that's what you want but in closing, just remember who you are and how long will you deny yourself that truth. Change the way you think and change your attitude, you are ridding yourself of an enemy.
Have a pint or two!!
No no…not beer…water, and drink plenty of it. Water will help keep you hydrated, make you feel better, and help flush out toxins from your body and also if your in the habit of having a couple of pints whilst watching a movie this will help trick the mind into satisfying the need.
Pick a significant date to quit, a birthday of a loved one, a religious date, an anniversary (in memory of someone living or deceased), this will act as a stronger reminder than using your own personal birthday because deep down in your subconscious you will feel you are letting down someone else if you relapse.
Protect your sobriety – It’s important to you. Don't worry about everyone else and don’t take ownership of their concerns. Everyone will come around to respect your choice sooner or later. Don't feel that just because you are having guests over you need to offer them a beer or a shot. It is perfectly fine to offer people tea, coffee or a soft drink. Quitting drinking justifies itself. Don't try to explain to others, It takes an alcoholic to know what your going through. Most people do not drink like alcoholics and can’t truly understand that you have a problem.
Change your routine. If you drink at a particular time, i.e. straight after work, involve yourself in another activity, visit someone (who doesn’t drink), go for a walk in the park, cycle, visit the library, temple, church etc.
Don’t blame anyone for the situation you’re in and don’t feel guilty that you should have done something sooner. Alcohol is the enemy, it has slowly led you to believe “it’s ok” and “you were in control”, “you can handle it”, “you’re a great drinker”, “people look up to you because you can drink so much without it affecting you” (apparently) but if you’re reading this now, you know this isn’t the case, you want to regain control of you mind and spirit. Some people may not even want to see you giving up alcohol because it disrupts their status quo, or they may just be jealous that you’re trying to better yourself, you will have to learn to recognise those that are not good company for you. If you're giving up alcohol because you feel guilty, then you're doing it for the wrong reasons. You should be giving alcohol up because you care about yourself, you want to be a better person, you care about the happiness of your family and friends and the people whose lives you touch.
If you feel tempted, use visualization techniques to picture what you might look like when you’re drunk, blurry eyed, out of control, slurring your words, making a fool of yourself, ugly, loud, intimidating. Do you really want to be that person again? So what if you’re an alcoholic, giving up doesn't mean that you can't be a happy, and while we’re talking about looks, remember what wise men have said, “the prettiest women are those that wear a smile”… think of your partner if you have one, do you really expect her to be happy and keep smiling when you are inebriated? This can work for women just as well.
Think of the pain and use the memories to keep you on track, do you really want to go through the headaches, poor digestion, sickness and grogginess again? Do you want to miss work or have to work feeling tied and ill? Do you want to ruin your reputation and risk losing your job because of alcohol?
Embrace the psychological benefits of sobriety. Embrace how good it feels to go to sleep at night without slipping into a coma, and not waking up to a hangover the next day. Think how good it feels to remember everything from the night before, the taste of the food, the atmosphere, wake up feeling fresh and energetic, embrace the better you.
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