In the life of every thinking person who has been in a state of alcohol abuse for a long time, when you ask yourself questions, there is a borderline stage, what will happen next and how to stop drinking? Doubts and thoughts are not enough for radical change to come, but we must be resolutely supported to carry out our plans. If it were that simple, the question of how to stop drinking hard forever, or even how to stop drinking beer, would not be so acute in front of millions of people. But it is possible, and the examples of the lucky ones who managed to get out of this vicious circle are a confirmation.
What is alcoholism?
Experts say that alcoholism is not only an addiction, but also a serious disease. It is somatic in nature, which leads to both psychological and physiological dependence on strong drinks. In addition, alcoholism is an individual, social, and even economic problem that affects many. The disease affects not only the fate and bodies of alcoholics, but also the lives of loved ones.
Separately, we need to talk about beer alcoholism, because many people are thinking about how to quit drinking beer. Although this drink is weak, it is very insidious. Because it rarely leads to severe alcoholism, many do not consider it dangerous, but often refraining from drinking beer is beyond the power of many.
This beer contains soothing hop extract. For this reason, many people crave this drink during stress. But keep in mind that it is still an alcoholic beverage rich in phytoestrogens (analogs of female sex hormones). Beer lovers are often men, so this hobby does not go unnoticed. It usually shows signs of feminization (muscle weakness, breast enlargement, fat distribution in a woman's body), so it is important to stop drinking beer before these problems occur.
Causes of the disease
Despite the fact that scientists believe that in some cases alcohol dependence is inherited, no one born is doomed to be an alcoholic. After all, drunkards are not born, they are. And everyone has their own way to fall into this trap. Thus, someone copes with the problems of personal life, loses a loved one, and someone "helps" a cheerful drinker to get into this chaotic circle.
Some people drink to kill time to save their lives, some - for courage, some to get rid of fears or to be more comfortable in the company. But whatever the reason for a person to drink alcohol, the result is always the same - ruined life, health, damaged relationships with loved ones, broken families, careers, moral and intellectual degradation of personality.
Depression can also lead to alcoholism.
Pathological stages
There are several stages in the development of alcohol dependence.
- Although a person who drinks feels an increased craving for alcohol, he has not yet developed a physical addiction, which indicates that he does not have withdrawal syndrome. But it is difficult to fight the urge to drink, because he does not understand why he should give up something that is so pleasurable. Moreover, at this stage, many still think that they are in complete control of the process, but this is far from the case. People have become more tolerant of alcohol, and in many cases, this strengthens their belief that they "know how to drink. "It is at this stage that people drink to the point of memory loss or complete cessation.
- In the second stage, physical dependence on alcohol begins, and attempts to stop drinking are accompanied by a severe withdrawal syndrome, reminiscent of drug withdrawal. In addition, during this period, tolerance peaks, that is, he drinks alcohol and does not get drunk. At this stage, a person already needs medical help to overcome addiction.
- The third stage is characterized by complete uncontrollability, mental and intellectual degradation of a person when intoxication occurs even in the smallest dose of alcohol. A similar phenomenon is associated with a person drinking too much alcohol during the phase of increasing tolerance, which can lead an ordinary person into a coma, and as a result, the liver stops producing enzymes that break down alcohol.
You should not feed yourself with illusions and seek professional help immediately, as it is possible to leave alcohol consumption in the first stage of addiction, when many people "slip" without realizing the impending problem.
nuances of female alcoholism
Alcoholism is often perceived as a male problem, but this is not the case. Yes, female alcoholism is not such a common phenomenon, which is explained by the characteristics of the female psyche: they are more resistant to stress. In addition, society imposes certain stereotypes, and alcohol often becomes a status drink, a sign of masculinity. Therefore, men are more motivated to drink strong drinks. Under these conditions, women are less likely to sleep.
But a woman should stop drinking, especially on her own. This is facilitated by female physiology: ethanol is poorly broken down by the liver and absorbed faster in the intestines. Due to these features of the body, strong drinks are more harmful to women. First, reproductive function suffers: women who regularly drink alcohol are diagnosed with infertility, and children are born with physical and mental disabilities. Since it is very difficult for a woman to quit drinking, it is better for every sane woman not to drink alcohol at all.
Addiction elimination tactics
There are several strategies to overcome alcohol dependence. Some experts believe that it is necessary to gradually "shut down" by reducing the dose of alcohol to acceptable levels or zero. And the obvious advantage of this method is the absence of signs of regression. However, in practice, this method is very difficult to apply due to the high risk of spillage and return to hard liquor. Therefore, the technique is rarely used.
Another method is a step-by-step, complete rejection of alcohol. Its indisputable dignity makes it less attractive for the patient to return to a previous lifestyle. However, the use of this technique is not recommended if it is in a person due to the increased risk of withdrawal. In this case, experts first remove a person from the drink, and only then apply a complete taboo on alcohol. It is very important that the choice of this or that method is made by a narcologist, not by the patient himself or his relatives. You don't need to be afraid to see a doctor because it's not easy to quit drinking at home.
Abstinence from alcohol is a way to quit drinking.
Methods of combating a harmful disease
Fighting a destructive habit will be meaningless until a person realizes that he is sick and in need of help. Only such people give up a one-time drink. However, most alcoholics do not value their behavior properly and believe that there are no problems and that they can "get out" of alcohol at any time. Because the problem is open to the environment, your loved ones can force them to stop drinking forever by cunningly suppressing them spiritually or trying to improve them.
But no matter what medication is given to such a person, no matter how good a psychologist works with them, the result can be predicted - the patient will not be able to stop drinking for a long time and will sooner or later become addicted. Any action without an internal attitude to change everything will be useless.
There are many ways to help those who are determined to quit drinking to get rid of alcoholism. But there is no universal method that suits absolutely everyone. Because all people are different and addicted in different ways, they get out of this trap in different ways. Of course, the will cannot be underestimated, because there are those who can stop drinking on their own. However, these are few, because mostly people who do not have the will of iron are drawn to alcoholism.
In addition, keep in mind that the decision to quit drinking is the result of clear thinking, and for many years, ethanol disrupts the natural processes in the NS due to alcoholism, and many such people do not have the complete physical ability to make such a decision. But this is only one side of the matter. Another is that alcohol is physically addictive, and abrupt abstinence from alcohol can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Psychological Techniques
This method will be useful for anyone who quits alcohol, whether he does it alone or with the help of a drug addict. The first thing a person needs to do is analyze the factors that make him addicted. The first priority is to avoid such provocative factors. Then you should pay attention to the following.
Find your call
Often a person starts drinking to correct the contradiction between the real situation and his expectations, ambitions and inability to fully realize himself. This is another reason why men become addicted to alcohol. After all, the issues of self-awareness and status are in the first place for them.
A change of activity or job can help. But do not underestimate your hobbies and hobbies. Not only to drink, but also to think about it, you need to find such a hobby that will completely capture you almost without wasting time. Hobby choices are endless, but it is important to understand that success in any field is not immediately apparent, so it is important to be satisfied with the process itself.
Reject the previous circle and minimize the attraction
Of course, an addict should not have alcohol in his house. You can not leave any drinks for guests. In addition, you should not be tempted by beer, because most can not stop drinking beer. The problem is that many people do not take beer addiction seriously.
Also, there should be no empty bottles in the house of a person who quits drinking, because nothing should remind you of the past. All these nuances should be remembered by its environment. Relatives are obliged to help the person who has given up alcohol in any way, and if he or she sees that he or she is addicted again, then it is worth changing the circle of friends or at least temporarily restricting interaction with such people.
To stop drinking, you must get rid of all alcohol at home.
The addict should not go to places where alcohol can be offered (banquets, banquets) and it is better to go through alcohol outlets first. In the first stage of the struggle, the father's will is still very weak, so he does not need unnecessary attraction.
Introduce yourself
It's also important to reward yourself for giving up alcohol. Instead of buying another bottle, you can satisfy yourself with something that you did not have enough money before. You can also have a separate grenade and refill each drink whenever you want. As a rule, a month after such a test, a person, in the true sense of the word, gets more than the amount saved.
Communication
Harmony and comfortable communication with other people is an excellent tool against alcoholism. Sometimes it is enough to understand how easier and more constructive it is to communicate with people in a sober state, rather than in a state of altered consciousness. That's why there are many groups that support alcoholics, where you can not only share your story, but also get the support you need.
Medications
Pharmaceutical companies systematically treat alcohol dependence on the market. But you have to understand that these are not magic pills where alcoholism disappears on its own. They are just a tool for those who are embarking on a difficult path of self-improvement, and it helps them not to turn back.
There are two types of drugs used: some hate alcohol, and some help to get rid of physical dependence on alcohol. The first group of drugs is especially suitable for people who have never had a pronounced syndrome, and therefore quickly became addicted to alcohol.
In the second case, benzodiazepines, which act on the same receptors as ethanol, are clearly associated with physical dependence on alcohol. However, the duration of their reception should be short, because instead of alcohol dependence may seem more dangerous addiction to psychotropic drugs.
Folk remedies
The most popular way to cleanse the body of alcohol toxins is oat infusion. To prepare, pour 1 cup of oatmeal with 5 cups of boiling water and keep for at least 3 hours. For 0. 5 cups 5 times daily before meals.
Avoiding alcohol helps to create a simple remedy such as thyme infusion. To get the product you need 15 g of grass, pour 500 ml boiling water and leave for 15 minutes. Use an infusion of 50 ml of product per 15 ml of vodka.
St. John's wort decoction has the same properties. Prepared according to the following scheme: 4 tbsp. l. The herbs are poured into 500 ml of warm water and the product is kept in a water bath for at least half an hour. The finished broth is taken twice a day for 2 weeks.
Effects of diet and lifestyle on pathology
Nutrition and physical activity are equally important during alcohol withdrawal. It is important for a dehydrated person to follow a drinking regimen (water helps detoxify the body) and should drink 2-2, 5 liters of water daily. It is also important to pay attention to the diet and provide products that stimulate the synthesis of endorphins and serotonin (fresh fruits, chocolate, meat), which contain B vitamins (legumes, fish, eggs). At the same time, it is necessary to adhere to a moderate diet and limit the amount of fatty, spicy and salty, because long-term alcohol intake is associated with the development of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system.
It is no less important to bring sports to the life of such a person. A simple walk will stimulate the release of such endorphins, and if you add exercise, yoga, jogging, it will significantly strengthen not only the body but also the nervous system. However, when choosing physical activity, it is necessary to take into account the general state of human health - in some cases, sports can be a contraindication.