Ready to Stop Drinking? Here’s How to Find and Get Help
For some people, alcohol is a problem. In fact, it can be a big one. For these individuals, their drinking has taken over and caused them to neglect other parts of their lives. They may have lost friends or family members because of it or they may find themselves in trouble with the law more often than not. If this sounds like you, it might be time to find out if you are ready to stop drinking.
Don’t think that you can solve the problem on your own or that it won’t get any worse. If you have a chance of getting better, take it now—don’t wait until after things get even worse. If this is something that you need help with, here’s how to find and get help for someone who is ready to stop drinking:
1. Go Back To The Basics
Take an honest look at why you drink so much in the first place. Do you do it because everyone else does? When nobody else will go out with you, do you use alcohol as an excuse so they won’t think you are boring? If it all comes down to fitting in, make some changes.
Are using alcohol as a way to numb emotional pain like the loss of a loved one or to cover up some other kind of pain like an eating disorder? Or do you drink because it’s fun and you like feeling more daring? Whatever your reasons are for drinking, remember that they won’t disappear once you become sober. Figuring out why you drink is the first step on your journey to recovery.
2. Find A Reliable Source Of Support
On the road to recovery or quitting, it’s always helpful to have someone there with you who can be your personal cheerleader. Having this kind of person in your life will not only help with the tough times but will also be an invaluable tool when you first start feeling tempted again. You might do better with a therapist or a support group. But if those options don’t work for you, consider calling a hotline instead.
The National Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Information Center is available to answer your questions about alcohol or substance abuse 24 hours a day via phone or email, as well as provide referrals to local drug treatment facilities. If you are trying to help someone else who is ready to stop drinking, this hotline can help you understand the problem and get your friend or family member into treatment.
3. Visit a Recovery Centre
If you are still hesitant about treatment or unsure of how to find the right program for you, then visiting a treatment center will give you more information.
A lot of rehab facilities have websites where they list their amenities, previous guests’ testimonials, and prices for programs. It is important you learn more about the benefits of recovery centers when thinking of quitting. And if you can arrange a visit with your family member or friend, then do so. It’s even better because they can see the facility in person and get a feel for whether or not it will be right for them.
4. Talk About It
One of the best ways to protect yourself from falling off the wagon is by talking about it. Whether you choose to tell one person or a group of close friends, speaking up lets people know that you are struggling and gives them all a chance to learn what you expect from them.
In addition, it also lets your support system know how much you trust them with your personal business. If you do that, then they will know it’s okay to ask how things are going and what kind of support they can offer when you need it most.
5. Change Your Environment
If you associate alcohol with certain people, places, or activities, it can be helpful to take a break from those things for a while. Alcohol is much easier to resist when you aren’t surrounded by temptation all the time. So if your usual spot is a bar stool at your favorite watering hole, then maybe it would be best to go somewhere else for a while.
By changing your environment, you are essentially forcing yourself to develop new habits, which is the last step in becoming alcohol-free. However, it’s not much different from starting fresh in a new place or country where you don’t know anyone. It takes time to adjust but eventually it becomes second nature.
6. Create Time For Self Care
When you are in recovery, it’s important to carve out time for yourself so that you can focus on your needs. This might be doing something fun or trying something new. It could also be finding the serenity to watch a sunset or being able to take deep breaths during your commute home from work.
Whatever makes you happy and helps you stay in the moment, it’s important to remember that your journey is one that only you can walk. As long as you have a source of support and know when to ask for help, then you should be able to stop drinking when the time is right.
7. Explore Treatment Options
Once you have a reliable support system in place, it’s time to figure out what kind of program might work best for your needs. At first, going cold turkey might seem like the best idea, but it’s not the only option.
Instead of thinking about rehab as a last resort or as something you will regret later on, think about what your actual needs are and be honest with yourself. For some people, going away for an extended period of time is perfect; others might prefer to go during working hours and come home at night.
Also, make sure you look into the cost of treatment and facilities in your area before you make any final decisions. You might also want to talk with your insurance provider about how much they will cover and for how long.
Sobriety is never easy for anyone, but especially for people who have suffered from alcoholism or addiction in the past. But if you can figure out what you need to do, then it becomes a lot easier to make the right choices for yourself.
When you are ready to stop drinking, remember that there is no shame in asking for help. If you want better things for yourself, now is the time to take action and get started on your path towards recovery.