The Easy Way to Stop Drinking

The easy way to quit drinking

I was a chronic alcoholic for over 25 years, I would start each day with a drink and was rarely sober in that entire time. My alcoholism cost me many romantic relationships, friendships and jobs over the years, not to mention almost my life on several occasions. Alcoholism was killing me and the sad thing was I knew it, but was unwilling to do anything about it. Sure I talked about stopping, but when it came to "putting my money where my mouth was", I couldn't stop and the reason was I didn't want to. Thankfully, In the end I woke up and accepted the damage my alcoholism was causing and resolved to do something about it before it killed me.

Why should you stop drinking?

Stopping drinking will improve your quality of life and the lives of all the people you associate with.

You are less likely to develop serious health problems and to injure yourself or other people. Your relationships with loved ones, friends and workmates will improve and your children will be less likely to imitate your behaviour. Here are some reasons to consider not drinking.

• Prevent irreparable damage to your body including your liver and brain
• Drinking will harm your unborn baby if you are pregnant and cause conditions like Fetal alcohol syndrome
• To save your family relationships.
• Become more productive at home, work or school
• Avoid potential alcohol related legal problems, for example, drink driving
• Avoid unwanted pregnancy
• Maybe, you can add some more of your own.

I believe the best way to stop drinking is on your own, it will be tough at times but you will emerge as a stronger and more empowered person. You don't need a "higher power" all you need is yourself and a conviction not to drink. I bet you don't realize how capable and strong you really are, I didn't at the time, but I sure do now!

Follow these steps to stop drinking alcohol.

Identify the reasons why you want to stop drinking and set a date for stopping. Talk to your family and friends about your intention to stop and ask them to be considerate in the early days and to not drink around you. Endeavour to not drink for 30 days, I read somewhere that it takes 30 days to beat a habit. The hardest thing we have to face in our lives is change and it is hard to change learned behaviour, but it can be done. Good new behaviour will also become a habit and it doesn't take too long before you are comfortable to be around alcohol without being bothered by it.

Accept that alcoholism is a learned behavior and a "CHOICE"

The alcoholism disease model is flawed, a disease implies something we have little if any control over. Every time you reach for the bottle, you are making the decision to do so.

You can take steps towards stopping drinking today, but I bet that's a little scary isn't it? The problem is a part of you, really doesn't want to quit and I wouldn't be surprised if you felt a sense of panic at the very thought. You really have to want to quit to succeed, otherwise you are wasting your time. Are you ready to stop drinking?

Here are some of the things which helped me to quit drinking:

Become aware

Examine your drinking habits and discover what triggers your drinking and what you can do to avoid doing so. Maybe you need to evaluate the company that you keep or the places you frequent.

Make a list

Make a list of all of the reasons why you want to stop drinking, list all the problems and negative consequences of your drinking. The arguments, the fights, the lost jobs etc.

Seek Medical assistance

Make an appointment to see your Doctor to assess the severity of your addiction and to discover what medication is available to help you through withdrawal. Be completely honest with your Doctor about the amount that you drink and take your list you made before with you, so you don't forget anything. I was horrified to learn that I was drinking over 10 times the safe alcohol consumption limit.

I was a chronic alcoholic but was able to withdraw at home without hospitalization, however I needed medication to see me through the withdrawal process. I was prescribed a one week course of diazepam and it was a great help. The Doctor may also suggest pills to like Antabuse which makes you feel sick if you drink. I believe drugs of this type will only keep you sober whilst you are on them, I do not believe they are a long term solution.

The key to overcoming your alcoholism or any other addiction is to recognise it for what it is. Your alcoholism is a "learned condition", a habit which you have reinforced over the years. Maybe like me you became physically dependent, but medication can help you to get through the withdrawal process and then all you really have to do is "unlearn" the habit. It really isn't that hard and if I can successfully quit alcohol on my own, then I truly believe anyone can.