How to Stop Drinking?

Alcoholism requires both a physical solution and a mental one. The alcoholic has built up a tolerance to alcohol that requires much more of the substance to provide the effect he (or she) feels he needs, and there is a psychological dependence on the drug.

For a person to stop drinking will require coping with both the physical cravings and the mental dependence that may have developed over years or even decades of alcohol abuse. There are some highly motivated people who find the strength to cope with these influences without going through a full alcohol rehab program. But most people do need the support and guidance of experienced staff and a program that has proven to be effective.

If a person is going to achieve sobriety on his own, he needs to know how to stop drinking. For many people, setting some rules and guidelines and enlisting the support of close friends and family will help.

Here are some suggestions that have helped other people stop drinking:

1. Plan new social activities that do not involve drinking. This may mean that you now watch sports events with others who do not drink or that you take up new hobbies that do not involve alcohol.

2. Realize that many people deal with social situations that make them uncomfortable by drinking. If there are types of events where you always drank in the past, you might need to find a sober buddy who will stick with you and help support your desire for sobriety.

3. If there are certain circumstances or places where you would feel a strong urge to drink, you may need to re-arrange your life to avoid them until your sobriety is well established. You will, of course, need to remove alcohol from your home.

4. A strong craving for drink is going to come along eventually. Have a plan for how you are going to deal with it. Have a supportive person or group of friends that are reachable by phone so you can always find someone to talk you through this craving. Or have a definite plan of another activity you can do, like vigorous exercise, that will help you get through this period. You must have the discipline to put the alternate plan in action when the craving hits hard.

5. Plan ahead of time if you think you will be offered alcohol at an event. Ask for a non-alcoholic drink before you can be offered alcohol. Keep your glass filled with your non-alcoholic choice so no one will offer you another drink. If you are comfortable with the idea, tell a host or hostess ahead of time that you do not drink. You don’t have to explain why, as there are many reasons other than alcoholism for not drinking, including health, pregnancy, religion or personal belief.

When Recovery Takes More than Self-Discipline

If you try to stay sober and fail, or if you realize you need more than self-discipline and friends’ support, that is when you need to find an effective alcohol rehab program. At Narconon alcohol and drug rehab centers across Europe, those addicted to alcohol have found the guidance and service needed to find lasting sobriety. Since the goal is complete freedom from drugs, no medications are ever used as part of treatment.

The Narconon program has a fifty year history of bringing about lasting sobriety after alcoholism. Find out how you can help someone leave alcoholism behind.

Call Narconon Europe rehabilitation center at +45 70 60 60 03.