How to Stop Drinking Alcohol
When it comes to learning how to stop drinking alcohol, one must remember that ceasing use should always be done safely and securely. Many people don’t realize that to stop drinking alcohol “cold turkey” can be extremely dangerous. This is especially true for those individuals who struggle with alcohol use disorder (AUD). The good news is there are many effective ways to stop drinking alcohol and recover in the long term.
Better Understanding Alcohol Use Disorder
Millions of people struggle with AUD both in the U.S. and around the globe. In fact, AUD is the leading addiction in the world.
It is also true that there are still millions more people who drink alcohol and would like to stop. This may be for a myriad of reasons. Perhaps they are noticing that it is becoming a strain on their physical well-being. They may be noticing some struggles at work or at home related to their drinking. Also, many people simply find that drinking alcohol has become a burden on them financially.
Now, some of these are certainly warning signs that separate a person who drinks alcohol from a person who needs to drink alcohol (someone with AUD). This is why it can be so critical to be able to spot the signs of AUD as soon as possible.
The Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Use Disorder
Now, of course, the signs and symptoms of AUD (or someone on the cusp of AUD) will vary from person to person. However, there are some universal signs that someone may be struggling. The following are just a few of those signs and symptoms:
- Having feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness, and helplessness (depression)
- Not being able to stop drinking once started
- Having trouble with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Experiencing physical symptoms like headaches, body aches, and gastrointestinal problems
- Losing interest in activities and hobbies once enjoyed
- Isolating away from close family members and friends
- Feeling overly anxious, nervous, or “stressed out”
- Wanting to commit self-harm or harming others
- Having suicidal ideations
As one can see, these symptoms range from minimal to extremely severe. This is why if any, many, or all of these symptoms are present, it is important to seek professional help as soon as possible. This includes if one feels that they only drink “minimally.”
How to Stop Drinking Alcohol
The key to stopping drinking is to do so safely. As previously mentioned, this means avoiding stopping “cold turkey” without discussing it with a professional. Many times professionals will determine that one may simply stop versus someone who should go through a safe and secure detox.
Detoxes can be extremely helpful for someone who wants to stop drinking. This is because it ensures that the withdrawals one experiences from stopping drinking are as painless as possible. An effective detox also ensures that one remains hydrated and has the proper nutrition replenishment that is needed for optimal recovery. A detox will also often connect an individual to the next steps of recovery if needed. This may include residential addiction care or an intensive outpatient program (IOP).
How to Stop Drinking Alcohol: Healing With Experiential Therapies
One exceptional way to stop drinking is by engaging in therapy. Experiential therapies can be particularly helpful with this because they have an individual tap into their creative side. This is the case with art therapy.
Art therapy offers a myriad of benefits, especially for those individuals struggling with co-occurring issues of drinking and mental illness. According to Cureus, “Art therapy is used most commonly to treat mental illnesses and can aid in controlling manifestations correlated with psychosocially challenging behaviors, slowing cognitive decline, and enhancing the quality of life. [It] can help people express themselves more freely, improve their mental health, and improve interpersonal relationships. The basis of art therapy is established on the idea that people can recover and feel better via artistic expression.”
12-Step recovery programs like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) can also be very helpful when one chooses to stop drinking. This is because 12-Step recovery helps to connect people with others who have similar experiences and keeps one accountable to their goals of stopping drinking.
Learn How to Stop Drinking Alcohol With The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we believe in long-term success over “short-term” fixes. This includes those individuals who are curious about stopping drinking.
Stopping drinking is all about the journey of getting to where one wants to go. A life of sobriety can be the best road one ever goes down. The key is to take that turn and start heading that way. Recovery is out there, and we are here to help you achieve it.
When it comes to stopping drinking alcohol, one should remember to do so safely. Yes, a life without alcohol can be extremely fulfilling, but one must get to that point as safely and painlessly as possible. This is why many people go to a professional detox to begin their process of getting sober. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the positive path toward recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about how to stop drinking and other treatment options, please call The Phoenix Recovery Center today at (801) 438-3185.
