Revaluating Your Drinking Habits

Revaluating Your Drinking Habits : Do you want to drink less or stop drinking altogether? Your fist step is to admit you have a problem, and to start making changes right away. If you’re in denial, your recovery will only take longer.

If you live in or near New York, you should be able to find alcoholics anonymous programs near you.

Changing Drinking Habits

It’s very difficult to change drinking habits overnight. Denial could potentially be a huge problem, and you might find you make excuses even after admitting you have a problem. If you’re not sure you want to change, or that you’re ready to change, it might help you to think about it in the following way.

Consider the pros and cons of drinking, and quitting.

Pros of Drinking

I can relax and unwind after a long and stressful day.
I have more fun when I drink and I forget about my problems.

Pros of Quitting

My physical and mental health would improve.
My relationships would improve, and I’ll have more time and energy for activities and people I care about.

Cons of Drinking

It causes relationship problems.
I get depressed and anxious. I’m ashamed of myself.
It prevents me from doing my job as best I can, and I struggle with family responsibilities.

Cons of Not Drinking

I’ll lose my drinking friends.
I’ll have to face responsibilities that I’ve ignored in the past.
I’ll have to get another way to deal with my problems.

Set some specific and realistic goals for yourself, when it comes to stopping drinking or at least cutting down. Set a date when you’re going to stop or decide you will quit drinking on weekdays and limit your intake on the weekend. If you’re an alcoholic and you aren’t able to control your drinking at all, you should rather stop drinking altogether. Google “aa meetings near me New York” to get some support.

Treatment for Alcoholics

Your treatment will depend on how serious your problem is, and if you want to stop drinking entirely. You also need to consider if you have other health issues and potential mental health conditions. You’ll be better able to overcome your problem if you have a support network of family members, and possibly friends. It will also be a good idea if you can build a new social network, where alcohol is not part of the regular way of socializing and having fun.

You need to see your GP for an overall health checkup and advice on your drinking habits. Before you are referred for treatment, any other conditions that you’re possibly suffering from must also be diagnosed. Your doctor can also prescribe you medication that can help you stop drinking.

There are various types of treatment programs available. If you have a serious problem it will be in your best interest to stay at a treatment facility and receive treatment during the day. Individual and group outpatient treatments are usually also available. Outpatient programs focus on preventing relapses and teach people coping skills and how to deal with the triggers that make them reach for alcohol.

Withdrawal

If you’ve been a heavy drinker for a long time, your withdrawal may need to be supervised by healthcare practitioners.

You get a severe form of alcohol withdrawal that can be potentially deadly, as the way your brain regulates your breathing and circulation changes.

Get medical assistance immediately, if you experience the following symptoms:

seizures and convulsions
severe vomiting
severe agitation
fever and hallucinations
confusion and disorientation.

Normally, you’ll experience some symptoms a few hours after you stop drinking, and these should improve after five days. These symptoms can include sweating, headaches, nausea or vomiting, stomach cramps, anxiety, and trouble sleeping.

You could be prescribed medication for your detox, to prevent severe complications and relieve some of your withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor will be able to provide you with more information about the withdrawal process.

Manage Your Craving

It’s likely that you’ll still get intense alcohol cravings in the first six months after you stop drinking. One of the best ways to manage this is to avoid the triggers that cause you to drink. Avoid places, people, or activities that trigger your urge to drink. It may mean that you have to find a new set of friends who don’t drink.

You’ll have to practice turning down alcohol in social situations, as there will be times when you’re offered alcohol.

When you get cravings for alcohol speak to your sponsor or supportive family members or friends. Try to distract yourself until the urge passes by listening to music, cleaning, exercising, or whatever else you enjoy doing.

Conclusion

It’ll be easier to get cut down on your drinking or stop entirely if you have the support of your loved ones and friends or you belong to some type of support group. You need encouragement and guidance to get you through this tough journey. Consider going for family therapy if your past behavior has caused serious issues in your family, as this can also help you repair damaged relationships.