If you want to quit drinking then it is the high time you start it from today. Each day of excessive drinking brings you closer to an array of health and emotional problems. While social drinking is not bad but making it an addiction is bad in every sense. It affects you physically, socially, emotionally, mentally and financially. Excessive drinking can cause strokes, gastrointestinal and liver problems and can induce weight loss. If you are a diabetic then excessive drinking can induce hypoglycemia, a condition which can be fatal. It leads to many problems and can lower your self-image and bring bitterness in your relationships. Therefore, it is in your best interest to quit drinking. This article can be your first step towards quitting drinking. Here, we present you few useful tips which can help you quit drinking.
Complexity Level: Moderate
Time required: 3-6 months
Instructions:
1: Consult your doctor:
Before you start your alcohol quitting program, it will be good to talk to your doctor about the same. Ask him what needs to be done when withdrawal symptoms occur like body pains, anxiety and uneasiness. Is there any medication which can help or if there is any substitute which can be taken in lieu of alcohol when craving is very strong.
2: Stop dropping by the alcohol shop:
- If you have this habit of dropping by the alcohol shop on your way back to home, the best way out is to change your way back to home.
- Accompany a colleague/ friend and ask them to not let you go on the same old way.
3: Divert your attention:
- Go to places where you are not encouraged to drink and where you don’t get any drinks either like cinema hall, church, ice skating, etc.
- Develop hobbies and pursue them so that your mind gets diverted and by the time you reach home back, you are too tired to buy a bottle for yourself.
4: Replace alcohol with something else:
Start chewing candies, mints, chewing gum, etc to keep your mouth occupied especially at night when you are free and the craving of having a peg is quite high.
5: Exercises:
- Go for workouts daily. Make it a habit to exercise on daily basis either after work or early in the morning.
- Exercising releases happy hormones in our bodies and we feel light and better.
6: Change your company and social circle:
- Stop accompanying or meeting those friends who drink or encourage you to drink.
- You must follow this rule at least for a year. If need be, talk to them over phone, on chat or social websites but don’t meet them in person.
7: Get rid of bottles, cans, or anything related to alcohol:
Get rid of all bottles and cans or anything which reminds you about alcohol. Don’t keep alcohol on the pretext to entertain your guests.
8: Take multivitamins:
Consult your doctor and take multivitamins. Your body may be malnourished due to excessive drinking and taking multivitamins will help in handling stress.
9: Maintain a journal:
Maintain a journal and update it whenever you drink. Also note down the reasons which motivated you to drink, to keep a check on them next time.
10: Learn meditation:
Learn to meditate and do it regularly either in the morning or before sleeping. Always repeat your vow of quitting drinking after each session of meditation. It will take you a long way.
Frequently asked questions:
What are the symptoms which indicate one should go for a medical advice to cure side-effects of alcohol?
Mild to moderate symptoms include sudden mood swings from high to low, nausea, insomnia, rapid or increased heart rate, cold or clammy skin, change in the shape of eyes, frequent irritability, vomiting, or hallucinations. There can be nervousness, depression, fatigue, anxiety, and night mares also. None of these symptoms are life threatening but they need to be dealt with carefully under medical supervision.
Quick Tips:
- Always keep chocolates handy. Chocolate cravings are quite normal among people who try quitting drinking. As soon as you crave for a drink, quickly eat chocolates.
- Have food before drinking. It will demotivate you to drink more.
- You can begin by reducing the quantity of alcohol intake and then gradually move your way up.
Things to watch out for:
If you start thinking that one glass of wine is good for health benefits and start resorting to one glass a day then very soon you will again be addicted to alcohol. Better not think of even a glass of wine.