Overcoming alcohol addiction is a journey that’s going to be full of challenges and setbacks. But the benefits of quitting are worth the discomfort. It’s important to note that some people can control their alcohol consumption and decide to cut back or quit completely. However, many struggle with addiction and will need to find additional help to support them.
If you think you are ready to explore how you can cut back on your alcohol use and quit drinking for good, keep reading.
1. Set Goals
If you want to quit alcohol, it’s essential to set goals. Think about why you want to stop drinking. Maybe it’s because you want to live a healthier life. It can also be because you want to ease the burden of addiction for the people around you.
Setting these goals is important because it’s what you’ll reflect on every time things get hard. These goals will give you the inspiration to keep moving forward. Every time you feel discouraged or unmotivated, remember why you started the journey. Keeping these goals close to you will make it easier to stay on track.
2. Know the Benefits of Going Alcohol-Free
Going alcohol-free provides numerous benefits for your health and overall well-being. For example, alcoholic drinks can cause your body to work twice as hard. Your liver, kidney, and other organs must put in the extra effort to process all the toxins from drinking.
Over time, drinking too much will strain these organs and even cause them to fail. By going alcohol-free, you remove the burden from these organs and allow your body to heal.
Alcohol can also cause cognitive impairments so that you may face slower decision-making times and memory problems. It can also make you feel more sad and anxious. If you continue to drink, this may even lead to serious mental health disorders that require professional help.
Going sober can also improve your relationship with others. Drinking can cause communication problems, resulting in arguments and misunderstandings. When you quit drinking, you can slowly learn how to communicate properly and heal your relationships with the people around you.
3. Know What Triggers Your Cravings
To overcome alcohol addiction, you should also know what triggers your urge to drink. This way, you can avoid them and remove them from your environment. It also helps with planning your daily life and developing coping strategies.
A trigger may be a place you associate with drinking or a person who encourages you to drink. It might even be a certain emotion that you relate to drinking.
Knowing what triggers your cravings is especially important when you’re done going through treatment. Even after you’re done with rehab, these triggers will be present in daily life. Knowing them and what to do when encountering them can prevent you from falling back into old habits.
4. Have a Good Support System
Having a good support system is important when you’re going through a difficult time, such as quitting alcohol. Your support network may consist of close family or friends you trust. These people can be a shoulder to cry on or offer encouragement during challenging situations.
If you feel like you aren’t ready to open up to your friends or family about your drinking problem, then you can look for support groups near you. One of the most well-known support groups that help people achieve sobriety from alcohol is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).
In AA, you’ll get a sponsor that guides you throughout their 12-step process. AA also requires anonymity for all members, which means you don’t have to worry about the stigma that comes with getting help from addiction.
5. Reward Yourself
Overcoming alcoholism is tough, and you must reward yourself whenever you accomplish milestones. This helps reinforce positive behaviour and encourages you to continue your journey. Rewarding yourself can be as simple as going out for dinner or as elaborate as going to a concert or other event.
It’s also good to share these rewards with other people. You may want to tell the people close to you that you’ve been sober for several days. Sharing your milestones with others can create a sense of accountability and motivate you to keep going.
6. Find Alternative Activities
Finding alternative activities when recovering from alcoholism can help you find new passions and hobbies. During addiction recovery, finding new activities to participate in can show you that there’s more to life than just the challenges of alcoholism.
Putting your energy into hobbies like reading, painting, or working out can reduce the idle time that was once used for drinking. This helps you stay engaged and productive since you’ve found a healthy outlet for your emotions.
7. Give Yourself Some Grace
When trying to overcome alcohol addiction, it’s always important to give yourself some grace. Healing isn’t always linear, and everyone will go through some challenges that may set them back. However, this doesn’t mean that you’ve failed. It only proves that you’re human.
Giving yourself some grace and reminding yourself that this is your journey can ease the pressure surrounding recovery. Whenever you feel like you’ve gone off track, try to take a step back. Maybe it’s time to reassess your coping strategies and discover new ones to incorporate into your daily life.
Don’t be too hard on yourself during this time – just remember to learn from the setbacks and use them as inspiration to keep going.
8. Seek Professional Help
Still, the best and most effective way to overcome alcoholism is to find professional help. Many facilities offer treatment for alcohol addiction, and they are more than happy to welcome you.
Alcohol addiction treatment is very important when it comes to managing alcohol withdrawal symptoms. When you’re dependent on alcohol, you will likely experience different withdrawal symptoms that can make it difficult to quit drinking. Treatment centres will provide a detox plan that can manage these symptoms and provide support for any complications that may arise.
Additionally, working with professionals helps you feel more in control as you get to the root of your drinking habits. You’ll work with a therapist to uncover what causes your unhealthy drinking habits so that you can create the right coping mechanisms to overcome them.
Find Freedom From Alcohol Addiction With Sierra Recovery
Finding freedom from alcoholism can be a long and tough journey. On some days, it can feel isolating, like there’s nobody else out there to support you. Admitting that you may have a problem is an important first step you need not face alone – help is always available.
At Sierra Recovery, we’re here to support your journey towards a healthier life, free from alcohol. Our team is always available through phone or email to answer any of your questions about your treatment options. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help. We’re happy to help you take the first step in your healing journey.
