Alcohol has been legalized probably all over the world. You can enjoy a drink from the comfort of your house or in the company of friends. However, after some time, you may realize that you are taking more than you should. Often times, people will tell you so. Most people don’t notice they have an alcohol problem until it is already too late. The good news is that there are several resources you can use to stop drinking. This post is basically a quick guide meant to help you get on the right track when trying to stop drinking.
How to know you have a problem
The first step to recovery is admitting you have a drinking problem. But how do you know you have a problem? Here are the main signs:
- Increased tolerance to alcohol – You have to take more alcohol to feel drunk.
- Increased or lack of appetite – This leads to weight gain or loss.
- Blood vessels appearing on the skin like spider-webs
- Redness or swelling of palms
- Upset or sore stomach
- Repeated skin sores and infections
- Feeling sweaty or clammy with no reason
- Feeling unsteady
- Depression or anxiety
- Tingling and numbness in the feet and hands
People react differently to alcohol. Alcohol dependency may be caused by the environment, genetics, mental illness, stress, and other things. Once you admit you have a problem, the next step is to take action. Below are the best steps you can take when dealing with alcohol dependency.
Make your intentions known
Recovering from alcoholism is not something you can do on your own. You will need the support of friends and family. Having a support team on your back will give you a chance to share your success and you will be accountable to them.
Avoid temptation
On the road to recovery, temptations will be many. Even with a full understanding of alcohol addiction consequences, you will still need to avoid temptations. Start by getting rid of all alcoholic drinks in your home. You must also avoid going to the bars or to parties where alcohol will be served. You also need to identify your triggers and avoid them.
Give up gradually
Unless you are in rehab, giving up alcohol is not something you will be able to do abruptly. You have to reduce your drinking gradually. That way, you will be able to manage the withdrawal symptoms better. If you have been drinking 5 bottles every night, bring the number down to 3. Continue reducing the number over a period of days until it is down to zero.
Reward progress
Rewarding yourself when you make progress will come in handy in pushing yourself further. Set short-term goals and reward yourself. You can start with an alcohol-free week then proceed to an alcohol-free month and so on. Put aside the money you would normally use to buy alcohol and use it to treat yourself.
These are simple steps that will get you started on the right path. However, if you feel you are not making any progress, you must consider professional help in rehab.