Alcohol has become a part of life for many. A bottle of beer in front of the TV after work, a couple of glasses of wine with dinner, unlimited cocktails on your friend's birthday. . . Even if you drink infrequently, alcohol can become a serious problem sooner or later - develop a bad habit that you will have to fight for a long time. In the article we will discuss an important issue: how to give up alcohol. How will your life change after giving up alcohol?
Who should stop drinking alcohol completely?
Abstaining from alcohol means reducing the consumption of alcoholic beverages to a minimum or eliminating them completely from your life.
There are many reasons why people suddenly decide to give up alcohol altogether. These can be health problems caused by excessive drinking, among other things. Another common reason is a person's desire to lead a healthy lifestyle while experiencing all the benefits of giving up alcohol.
Vigilance is necessary if:
- Alcohol addiction develops rapidly - withdrawal symptoms appear and you can no longer reduce the amount of alcohol you drink on your own.
- There are physical or mental illnesses that are aggravated by alcohol intake.
- Even a small amount of alcohol leads to a loss of self-control - to do stupid things, spend too much money, aggression.
- Pregnancy is planned.
You can understand whether you are addicted to alcohol by asking yourself: "Do you look for reasons or excuses why you can and should drink? How often does this happen? Assess how the situation has changed recently. Answer these questions as honestly as possible.
Thus, you can understand that you really need to give up alcohol or that you already drink a small amount and are not addicted.
Quit drinking calendar: what happens after you stop drinking?
"I won't say that I drank a lot or a lot. But the mandatory minimum of alcohol was: Thursdays with friends with cocktails, a few bottles of beer a week with an interesting movie, Sunday dinner with my husband with 1-2 glasses of wine. The decision to completely give up alcohol came unexpectedly. I just thought that, it would be nice to test myself to see if I can give up alcohol completely. My life changed a lot when I quit.
As soon as I told my friends that I didn't drink anymore, they took it as a joke and didn't believe it for a long time. They thought I was pregnant or sick because I made such a decision. My wife and I acquaintances did not immediately get used to my complete sobriety. Even my mother did not believe this decision and asked if everything was okay. It is strange, but in the understanding of people, sobriety is an unusual thing.
It was not easy for me to give up alcohol. No matter what holiday I came to, people I knew and did not know tried to get me drunk - "for your health", "a little". There were enough tests. But I stopped. Only after a month or two did I get used to the idea that alcohol had no place in my life.
After a few months, I noticed that I was losing weight. All these snacks for beer and wine were clearly taking their toll on my figure. I began to sleep better - such strength in the morning. My wife and I continue to meet friends. But there were fewer parties and noisy celebrations. It turns out that without doping in the form of alcohol, loud music in bars is just annoying. I take all these as positive changes - I have so many free evenings. At the same time, there is no hangover in the morning. My husband and I enrolled in a dance school. It's not just parties that can bring joy.
I haven't had a drink in six months now. I'm not going to break my sober lifestyle - I like it. I am happy with everything that happened to me after giving up alcohol. It's like I'm freer. "
If a person drinks only occasionally and strictly controls the amount of alcohol, it will be easy for him to give up the bad habit. But when alcohol use becomes a disease and physical dependence is already formed, the body will "resist" reducing the dose of alcohol. It is worth preparing for the fact that the transition to a healthy lifestyle will take more than a month.
How does the body recover after giving up alcohol?
| For a while | Physiological and emotional changes |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | After many years of drinking alcohol, even a day without alcohol is an effective period. The body will "demand" another dose of ethyl alcohol. The first thing someone who gives up alcohol will experience is withdrawal symptoms of varying severity. Symptoms: nausea, constipation or diarrhea; dizziness; Headache; hand tremors; increased body temperature; mood swings |
| 2 nd day | Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal syndrome are slightly reduced compared to the first day. But the body still goes through an active detoxification process - removing the breakdown products of ethyl alcohol. This may be accompanied by abdominal pain. In some cases, discomfort in the liver also appears during the recovery of the body. My head keeps pounding. A person who begins to struggle with addiction seeks solitude, becomes angry, sometimes aggressive, has insomnia or nightmares. He sees everything black - it seems that it will always be this bad. Therefore, it is most difficult to overcome the urge to drink in the first days. I want to get rid of this pain as soon as possible. At this moment, severe anxiety and panic can arise, sometimes flowing into an obsessive thought that you can die if you don't drink. The serious condition of the body makes everything worse: in the process of adapting to work without alcohol, all the body's systems may malfunction, which is why this terrible impression arises - "If I don't drink, I will die now. " |
| 3rd day | The body begins to recover in the first days after giving up alcohol. Physical well-being improves. But the psyche is still "on the edge". Even the sound of a running faucet can irritate an addict. Mood swings cause headaches and outbursts of aggression. Sleep is still disturbed |
| Day 4-5 | In the 1st and 2nd stages of alcoholism, the withdrawal syndrome in addicts almost completely disappears. A person who quits drinking has an appetite. But large meals can cause nausea and intestinal problems |
| Day 6-8 | Drug withdrawal symptoms disappear completely. His mental condition is improving significantly. About 7 days after giving up alcohol, sleep returns to normal. A person begins to sleep more soundly, which means that he feels much more alert than before. The energy boost often makes you want to finally exercise. A person's skin tone improves (swelling and red spots disappear), and the hands stop trembling, the activity of the gastrointestinal tract normalizes. |
| 2 weeks | In the next week, thought processes are restored - consciousness becomes clearer, confusion in thoughts finally disappears. Headaches no longer bother me. Doctors note that after 2 weeks of complete abstinence from alcohol, pulse and blood pressure normalize, shortness of breath disappears and breathing is restored. A quitter may experience weight gain during this period. Some people try to compensate for the abstinence from alcohol with delicious food. |
| month | At the end of the first month after giving up alcohol, the body removes the breakdown products of ethyl alcohol. But the psychological condition can be severe: as a rule, a person becomes sad and depressed. He has lost his normal behavior and this is stress. Now he is wondering how to live, what to do, what to do, what to do, etc. Only after passing the first stage of withdrawal, he is happy and enjoys a sober life for a few days, but immediately after that the "struggle of motives" begins - "to drink or not to drink", which leads to tension and risk. development of depression. On the one hand, a person understands that he feels better and endures severe pain, but passions and a formed pattern of behavior do not allow him to completely give up alcohol. A person remains between "to be or not to be", starts looking for reasons to drink, looks for excuses. Thus, mood changes and irritability increases. Maybe it will be a little easier if you prepare for it, that is, if you understand that it is inevitable, but temporary and will soon pass. However, the physical condition improves - the teeth become whiter, the swelling of the face and limbs disappear, and the circles under the eyes disappear. Trembling in the hands, if it was there before, no longer bothers me. Liver function is actively restored in the first and following months after giving up alcohol |
| 3 months | When someone stops drinking, their immune system starts working at full capacity. A person is healthy and energetic. He has already learned to spend his leisure time without alcohol and find an interesting occupation. Even long-term abstinence is no guarantee that a person will not relapse if they start drinking alcohol again. The risk of relapse is still very high. If you reach for a bottle of alcohol in times of difficulty in life, you should stop yourself. Only willpower will help you maintain your strength |
| Six months | 6 months is an effective period of sober life. People struggling with addiction usually find interesting interests and hobbies during this period. It helps you not to think about alcohol while enjoying life. |
| year | The physical and emotional state of the person who quit drinking is stable. One realizes that life without alcohol is beautiful. Actively communicates with friends and family, seeks and achieves goals in life. After long-term abstinence from alcohol, liver and kidneys are completely restored, if serious pathologies in the functioning of the organs were not detected earlier. |
Abrupt cessation of alcohol: errors, consequences
There is an opinion that a sudden withdrawal from alcohol can harm your health. This is only partly true.
If we are talking about the rare consumption of alcohol in small doses, then the complete elimination of alcoholic beverages will only have a positive effect on the condition of the body. With the right attitude, a person can easily and painlessly give up alcohol. In this case, the phrase "you can't suddenly refuse to drink" is an excuse for those who are not yet ready to lead a sober lifestyle.
For people diagnosed with stage 1 or stage 2 alcoholism, suddenly giving up alcohol can be really harmful. They usually face a real setback. Withdrawal syndrome manifests itself in all its glory. In the acute stage, it can cause seizures and fainting, which are fraught with negative consequences for health.
Why does the addict's body react so violently to the decrease in the concentration of ethanol in the blood? If a person drank for a long time, under the influence of alcohol, the functions of the internal systems changed significantly - the synthesis of enzymes and hormones was disrupted, the organs began to work properly. After giving up alcohol, the body needs time to recover - the detoxification process lasts at least a month.
If alcoholism is diagnosed, the process of detoxification of the body should take place under the supervision of specialists. In some cases, the patient is required to withdraw the drug from drinking. It is impossible to apply various folk methods to get rid of alcohol, as a sudden withdrawal from alcohol can cause negative consequences for a person's health.
Benefits of a sober lifestyle
Recovery from alcohol addiction is a long journey with many relapses. This is a real test of will and endurance. But as a reward, you get all the benefits of a sober life.
What positive changes will occur after giving up alcohol?
- Excellent health
Alcohol consumption has a negative effect on the state of most organs. Even "weak" alcoholic beverages damage the liver, kidneys, pancreas, cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal tract. Abstinence from alcohol is an effective prevention of many serious diseases that cause early death.
In general, a sober lifestyle strengthens the immune system. Say "no" to alcohol and you'll find yourself getting sick less in the winter. Already in the first month of abstinence from alcohol, the condition of your skin, hair and nails improves. You will see that you look better in appearance.
- sweet Dreams
There is an opinion that a few glasses of wine in the evening helps to sleep better. This is a myth that it's time to stop believing. When the effects of alcoholic beverages wear off, a person may wake up, which disturbs his rest. Even after drinking a small amount of alcohol, sleep becomes restless and shallow.
After 2-3 weeks of complete abstinence from alcohol, sleep is restored. Nothing disturbs your rest, which means you feel cheerful in the morning.
- Happy feeling
Many people think that alcohol is a great antidepressant. But the fact is that it gives a good mood only for a short time. Then comes apathy, aggression and guilt. The whole spectrum of negative emotions disappears, you just need to drink a little more. This is how psychological dependence on alcohol is formed - a person stops enjoying life without the stimulation of alcohol.
By living a sober lifestyle, you will gradually learn to be happy without alcohol. When giving up alcohol, the body will "resist" it by demanding another dose of doping. But only a month will pass and you will look at the world with completely different eyes.
- Excellent memory
Scientists have found that drinking alcohol reduces a person's ability to remember, because with the development of addiction, ethyl alcohol gradually destroys nerve connections in the brain. A "seasoned" alcoholic will have trouble remembering an address or any date.
However, the disruption of neural connections is a reversible process. All you have to do is stop drinking. By giving up alcohol, you will notice that your thoughts become clearer - any information is better absorbed and remembered, and the general functioning of the brain improves. It is believed that memory efficiency can be restored in an average of 2-3 months.
- financial stability
Positive changes in the body are not the only benefits of giving up alcohol. Another great bonus is saving money. High-quality spirits are expensive - this can be a serious blow to the budget.
Calculate for yourself how much you will save per month if you give up daily wine before going to bed.
9 tips to help you give up alcohol
Regardless of whether you decide to stop drinking alcohol, transitioning to a sober lifestyle involves major life changes. You will have to change your established habits and work on yourself.
The following recommendations will help you to give up alcohol in the initial stages of drinking:
- Take a sober break
Now, for those of you who can't get used to the idea that there won't be a drop of alcohol in your life, you can try to trick your brain. A good option is to take a "sober break". That is, first set yourself an achievable goal - not to drink at all for 30 days. This will be a kind of break in the established lifestyle with regular alcohol consumption.
Perhaps, after experiencing all the positive changes after giving up alcohol, a short break will give you the incentive to give up drinking forever.
- Find an interesting hobby
Replace bad habits with good ones. This will distract you during the first, most difficult weeks after completely giving up alcohol. An interesting hobby will calm you down and give you positive emotions. If earlier only alcohol brought positivity, now it will be a hobby.
Think about what kind of business you want to do and start without hesitation.
- Relieve irritation with exercise
Withdrawal syndrome is certainly accompanied by mood swings. Sadness, overwhelming joy, aggression, nervousness - an addict can experience all emotions within an hour. This causes concern not only for him, but also for those around him.
According to narcologists, sports will help the body after completely giving up alcohol. Physical activity will eliminate psycho-emotional stress and distract from negative thoughts. Getting used to regular exercise can be difficult, but with time it will become easier and the effort will pay off. You will relax, in addition, you will get your body in shape and strengthen your immune system.
Physical activity can help to give up alcohol at the initial stage, during the so-called "pink period". In this case, it is advisable to get permission from the doctor first.
- Start planning your day
If you give up alcohol, you will have to learn to plan your day (at least at first). Have as few free "windows" in your schedule as possible - then you can not rush to spend a boring evening with a glass of wine or beer. Literally, after a month you will not have to strain yourself - you will have a lot of interesting hobbies.
- Show some willpower
Most likely, sooner or later you will be tempted - a party with friends, a party with relatives. Show willpower and give up alcohol. It might be weird at first, but you'll soon learn to have fun without doping.
It is not necessary to stay at home even during periods of temporary abstinence from alcohol. Meet friends and loved ones. But make sure in advance that there will be enough non-alcoholic drinks at the party.
- Tell the world about your desires
Share your decision to quit drinking with those around you, at least those closest to you. Friends and family members will certainly support your goals. And with such a base, you can overcome any difficulty. In addition, you minimize the risk of disruption - knowing that you have made a serious decision to give up alcohol, your friends will not persuade you to drink.
Blogging on the internet will help someone. Encourages. Share your successes and failures with your subscribers, get support from them.
- Start keeping a sobriety journal
Not ready to go public with your goals and plans? Then start a personal diary. It is also useful in getting rid of bad habits.
On the diary pages, record the process of giving up alcohol day by day: physical and emotional state after giving up alcohol, future plans and goals.
- Don't be upset if you make a mistake
No one is immune to mistakes on the way to the goal. Given how hard it is to break bad habits, don't beat yourself up if you fail when you try to kick drinking for good. This is not a failure, but simply a difficulty on the right path. Let this be your extra motivation so you don't fail next time.
- Take advantage of behavior modification technology
The goal of a sober lifestyle is worthy of respect. But you don't have to go it alone. If you seek help from a psychologist, the process of completely giving up alcohol will be much easier.
Behavioral psychology shows its effectiveness in fighting addictions based on changing destructive behavior patterns. Behavior modification technology has shown excellent results. The course will help you get rid of alcohol addiction quickly and effectively.
Completing the course will help you develop a positive attitude and help you stop drinking alcohol. You will learn healthy behavior, which is necessary if you have set yourself the goal of finally saying "no" to alcohol. The training will help you transition to a sober lifestyle with minimal physical and psychological discomfort. You will understand how good it is to live without alcohol - you will be accompanied by a stable emotional state, high performance and good health.
Work with a psychologist on behavior change technology lasts up to 6 weeks. You don't need to share your training with your friends or even your family. The lessons are strictly confidential and you can take them at a time that suits you. Experts answer all questions and provide advice via email, chat and phone.