Why you should stop drinking

Stopping drinking will really improve your life and the lives of all the people you care about. There is less chance of developing health issues and to injure yourself or other people. Your relationships with those lose to you, friends and workmates will improve and your children will be less likely to copy your behaviour. Here are some reasons to look at not drinking.

* Prevent irreparable harm to your body including your liver and brain
* Drinking will hurt your unborn baby if you are pregnant and cause conditions like Fetal alcohol syndrome
* To save your family relationships.
* Become more successful at home, work or school
* Avoid possible alcohol related legal problems, for example, drink driving
* Avoid uninvited pregnancy
* Maybe, you can think of some more.

I think the best way to stop drinking is on your own, it will be hard at times but you will come out as a harder and more empowered individual. You do not need a “higher power” all you need is “you” and the cecision not to drink. I bet you don’t realize how able and strong you truly are, I didn’t? at the time, but I certainly do now!

Adopt these steps to stop drinking alcohol.

Distinguish the reasons why you want to stop drinking and set a date for giving up. Talk to your family and friends about your intent to stop and ask them to be thoughtful in the early days and to not drink about you. Strive to not drink for thirty days, I read someplace that it takes thirty days to crush a habit. The most difficult thing we have to face in our lives is “change” and it is hard to alter learned behaviour, but it can be achieved. Good new behaviour will also become a habit and it does not take too long until you are at ease around alcohol and not troubled by it.

Accept that alcoholism is a learned behavior and a “CHOICE” you made

The alcoholism disease model is imperfect, a disease implies something we have little if any command over and that simply is not the case. Every time you reach for a drink, you are making the decision to do so and you are responsible for your actions.

You could take steps towards stopping drinking now, but I bet that’s a little alarming isn’t it? The trouble is a part of you, really does not want to stop. I wouldn’t be amazed if you felt a sense of terror at the very thought. You really have to want to quit to be able to do so, otherwise you are wasting your time. Are you ready to stop drinking?

Here are a few of the things which helped me to stop drinking:

Get aware!

Study your drinking habits and identify what triggers your drinking and what you can do to avoid such situations. Maybe you need to assess the companions who you keep or the places you haunt.

Make a list

Write a list of all of the reasons why you want to stop drinking, list all the issues and negative results of your drinking. The arguments, the conflicts, the lost jobs etc.

Seek Medical help

Make a date to see your Doctor to evaluate the severity of your dependence and to find out what medication is accessible to help you through withdrawal. Be entirely honest with your Doctor about the quantity that you drink and take the list you made earlier so you don’t forget anything. I was dismayed to learn that I was drinking over ten times the recommended alcohol consumption limit for an adult male.

I was a chronic alcoholic but was able to quit at home without hospital care, I did however need medication to help me through withdrawal. I was prescribed a one week course of diazepam and it made withdrawal easy.

The Doctor may also advise pills to ltake like Antabuse which makes you feel ill if you drink. I think drugs of this type will only keep you teetotal whilst you are on them, I do not think they are a long term answer.

The key to defeating your alcoholism or any other dependency is to recognise it for what it is. Your alcoholism is a “learned condition”, a habit which you have strengthened over a long time. Perhaps like me you became physically dependent, but medication will get you through the withdrawal process and then all you really have to do is work at “unlearning” the habit. It really Is not that hard and if I can successfully stop drinking on my own, then I genuinely believe that anybody can.

Download my ebook identifying all the tips and methods I used to stop drinking for good. Click here to learn more

If you’re looking for a genuine solution to alcoholism or drug addiction and really want to stop drinking and using, ultimately the only person that can make it happen is YOU. Sounds kind of obvious, I know. But you’ll be amazed how many addicts miss that one, single, potentially life-altering fact.

Because if you’re like most alcoholics and drug addicts, you’re so deep in DENIAL, playing the blame game, that you can’t see you’re the cause and ultimately it’s YOU that has to take responsibility for turning your life around.

That may sound harsh, but it’s true. Yes, life may have been hard and there may have been all sorts of justifiable reasons for you picking up a bottle or taking that hit, but ultimately you still CHOSE to do so.

Am I saying then that addiction is simply a choice and it’s simply a matter of will power in you overcoming your fight with alcohol or drugs?

Not at all … because I do believe that addiction is a disease, but you do have a CHOICE as to what you do about it. Life has dealt many of us a pack of cards that is far from ideal, but it’s how you respond to that, that will ultimately determine where you end up and the quality of life you lead.

But you can’t do anything about your life and make changes for the better – until you can look yourself in the mirror and say, ‘I have to take full responsibility for my alcoholism or drug addiction – and the resulting mess my life has become – because only I have the power to get myself out of this.’

There can be no ‘but’s’ and ‘if’s’. No conditions. ‘If it is to be, it’s up to me’ has to be your motto …
And then … only then are you ready, ready to change, ready to be helped and ready to turn your life around.

So STEP ONE in how to stop drinking and taking drugs, the most crucial step, is an ATTITUDE. An attitude that says, ‘I’m ready to stop making excuses and to take full responsibility for taking the ACTION I need to take to overcome my addiction.’

And then everything will fall into place and be easy is what you’re hoping I’m going to say next, right?

Wrong! Sorry to disappoint you, but then it gets really tough. That is when the struggle really begins because you’ll have to start facing all your demons and be prepared to get really uncomfortable, before things get better.

The easy option is always to pick up or have a drink if things get tough or uncomfortable. That’s why Step One and taking responsibility for everything you do becomes so important. Because yes, you may still fall occasionally, but you’ll know it’s only you that can change things, so you’ll keep picking yourself up again until you’ve turned your life around.

If you’re really serious about wanting to find out how to stop drinking and taking drugs, the information I’ve just shared with you is CRITICAL. Because it should form the foundation on which you build your recovery, without it everything else becomes almost impossible.

So what comes after Step One? What are the things you need to be doing and the actions you need to be taking to get clean and sober? I’ve put together a website that may be able to help you. Follow the link from my Bio. You’ll particularly want to focus on the treatment and recovery sections where I’ve put together loads of valuable information that help you in your quest to change your life and overcome alcoholism and drug addiction.

Carl-Peter is the Author of Addiction Uncovered – a Book he Wrote to Help Others Struggling with Alcoholism and Drug Addiction, which You can Download FREE at his website, http://www.alcoholism-and-drug-addiction-help.com – where you can also find Loads of Valuable Help and Advice on How to Treat and Recover from Alcoholism and Drug Addiction.

Hazards of Alcohol


It might be hazardous to neglect alcoholism symptoms because these signs warn you about the harmful consequences. Normally you can notice alcoholism symptoms in early stage and if you do not take desired steps to treat it, it can be critical. Moreover, alcoholism symptoms bear detrimental effects on your family, surroundings and even career. The consequences of alcoholism symptoms are not only physical stress but also mental. These indications recur, depending on the continuance of alcohol abuse and also it is essential to diagnose it as early as possible.

General Symptoms


Common alcoholism symptoms are as follows:

* Pain in abdomen

* Vomiting

* Nausea

* More capacity to tolerate

* Swollen face and red eyes

* Swelling of lever

alcoholism symptoms indicate the existence of a disease in the body. Generally, the capacity of body to drink alcohol increases with the passing of time. alcoholism symptoms lead to depression, sleep disorder and bad temper. With the passage of time the drinking capacity of alcoholic increases as various psychological problems become distressing and to soothe the pain drinking becomes essential. Alcoholics might deny as having alcoholism symptoms and continue surreptitious drinking. Alcoholic intake is always accompanied by sudden swings in dramatic moods and aggression.

Treatment for Prevention


For preventing these alcoholism symptoms, you are required to take proper treatment so that you could get back to your normal life. If an alcoholic is not provided sufficient treatment then he/she might isolate himself/herself from the rest of the society and even family members. Alcoholic might try to keep himself away both physically and mentally so that he could save himself from any kind of personal remark. Another general symptom of alcoholism is to drink in very odd hours. As the disease of alcoholism increases, alcoholic starts drinking even during working hours. Thus it creates adversities at work place also. The major alcoholism symptom is that the alcoholic tries his hard not to drink but even then he find himself unable to do it and ultimately resorts to the drinking.

Thus, alcoholism symptoms can be identified very easily. If it is treated at the right time, then it can be cured early.

Each individual working through the battle with alcoholism will have a contrasting set of dependency triggers. Understanding what these triggers are will help you to create a strategy and to choose a more appropriate reaction to them, rather than reaching for the bottle. So the first thing to do is to choose an alternative, maybe you could substitute your addiction for a desire to get healthy, join a gym or take the dog out for long walks in the countryside.

Maybe you could launch yourself into work online, or write a daily blog describing the steps you are taking to stop drinking. All of these things will work and will benefit you no end. On our forum we have a few people who are writing a daily journal and are helping not just themselves but other people with alcoholism problems as well. Join our forum today and make a positive step to not drinking ever again.

Compile a list of all the reasonswhy you want to stop drinking, it may help to get sopmeone you know to help you with your list.

It is also a good idea to review your list on a regular basis as doing so will enforce your commitment to stop drinking.

Once you have your list of reasons list of reasons, the next stage is to set your date for stopping.

To successfully stop drinking you need a plan. Post the date you intend to stop drinking on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror, or anywhere where you will frequently see it. Place several copies of the date around the house to keep the date firmly set in your mind.

You are likely to be more successful if you can enlist the help and support of others and let them know how they can help you make a success of your plan.Set up timescales of thirty days to review your plan, this will help you and will enhance your chance of success.

if you can make your plan into a habit then it will be easier to enforce. Every thirty days look at your reasons for quitting drinking and add any additional benefits which you have discovered.

Don’t bge too concerned if you have a relapse, just make a note of why you slipped and see what you could do to overcome the problem if it appears again.

Make sure you do this review every thirty days and it will make you stronger and more able to abstain from alcohol and as the months go past it will become easier and easier. Breaking a long term habit like alcoholism will take time, but it is possible to beat it as long as you stay strong.

This method is very simple to follow and if you are dedicated it will work, but you must make sure that you contact your doctor beforehand as quitting drinking can be dangerous and thus assistance from your doctor is essential.

There are many obstacles that will stand in the way of you and your goal, but they can all be overcome. I knjopw this from personal experience and an addiction to alcohol that spanned nearly thirty years. Changes of habit and lifestyle are required and you need to accept this to be able to quit alcohol for good.

I quit drinking over two and a half years ago and have never had a relapse and if I can do it anyone can.

List the reasons why you want to stop drinking

What makes you want to stop drinking? Do you want to improve your health and sleeping patterns? If you have issues with addiction, you may want to improve your close relationships You may have had enough of the partying lifestyle and the headaches, blackouts, hangovers and paybacks of your drinking, like missing work and losing your job.

List Goals
You can attempt to control your drinking and gradually reduce your intake until you can eventually stop, although from experience I would say that this is not an effective strategy..

Write your intentions on and pin them where you can see them regularly , for example on your computer screen or on a mirror.

Keep a “boozing journal”

Make a note of how much you drink and the circumstances when you do.and how much your consume. This iwill really help you to stop drinking. Total up the amount you drink each day using a column for the number of drinks, types and where you consumed them.Make sure that you’re really honest about this,because it will help you a lot to ascertain how serious your problem is.

7 useful tips

1. Be cautious at home because it is easy for your drinking to spiral out of control when you have alcohol in the house.

2. Drink slowly and sip rather than gulp your drinks.try alternating between alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks and never drink on an empty stomach.

3. Make a point of not drinking on certain days during the week.

4. Don’t feel afraid to say “NO” if someone offers you a drink.

5. Join a gym and do fun physical activities to take your mind off of alcohol

6. Find someone you can talk to about your drinking, try online groups and forums if you don’t have anyone you feel you can talk to about your problem

7. Be wary of the places and people who you associate with drinking as they will make it hard to resist drinking.

Remember never to give up trying to stop drinking, if you are consistent you will succeed.

I discovered that part of my problem was that I was always blaming someone or something else for my addiction. I would never take responsibility and accept that my alcoholism was my problem and only I could do something it.

I think that is why people fail when they try Alcoholics Anonymous, because they want something else to make it easy for them, they don’t realize that they have the inner strength to quit drinking on their own.

If you are an alcoholic, stop pointing the finger at other people and instead accept that you are the one responsible for your condition and only you can do something about it. Start believing in yourself and accept that quitting drinking is not only possible but you are going to do it.

It is likely that you will need medication from your doctor to get you through withdrawal and you should be able to get some counseling too . Once you’ve quit try SMART, you’ll be able to find help from people on their forum.

The most important thing is to realize that you have the inner strength to beat your addiction, If you can believe that then you will be able to quit drinking for good.

I purchased cognitive behavioural therapy for dummies on Amazon and thie book and worksheets were very helpful.

I also use brainwave entrainment for relaxation and meditation that also works very well for me.

Rational recovery helped me too and enabled me to understand the nature of my addiction.

Writing a blog about my experiences and feelings after stopping drinking and contributing in forums was also helpful and continues to be.

Hobbies can be great to, I was able to transform my hobby into an online business and I now make enough money to be able to work from home and that feels truly liberating.

I’m also a self-help book junkie and my bookshelves are lined with useful books which have helped me to make the most of my life and my abilities.

Making a list of my goals has also been a great help and I’ve found that I can accomplish so much.

Can’t really think of anything else of the moment

Rob

I would start each day with a can of strong cider and I’d proceed to drink for the rest of the day. I would often drive my motorcar while under the influence of alcohol, putting not only myself but other people in danger. I’m embarrassed and nauseated to acknowledge it now, but I would often wake up in the morning after a hard nights drinking, not only with a hangover but in a pool of my own urine.

I serially cheated on my partners and put myself in peril of catching venereal diseases and giving them to my partner. I often had blackouts and woke up in strange places with no recall of how I got there. I would forever do things that I regretted while under the charm of alcohol and yet in spite of all this I continued to drink. I at last decided that enough was enough after an unsuccessful suicide attempt and I haven’t had a drop since.

Here is the precise method that I used to stop drinking alcohol and I am confident that if you follow these simple steps you will be able to give up drinking too.

Admit that you have a problem

Accepting that you have a problem with alcohol is the first step that you must take. The individual who is ready to quit drinking alcohol is someone who is not in denial. The alcoholic’s finds it difficult to admit that they have a problem and will reel off lame excuses for their habit . It took me over 25 years to be able to say that I was an alcoholic and to stop using excuses for my addiction.

Make a commitment to stop drinking alcohol

When you have admitted to yourself that you are an alcoholic, the following thing you need to do is to establish the cause of your addiction, ask yourself some questions. For example, why is the thought of a life without alcohol unbearable? What incites you to drink? why do you carry on drinking even though it’s destroying your relationships and your health? I’m certain you can think of several other questions, just get a pen and paper and write down everything that springs to mind.

Seek medical assistance

A chronic alcoholic will need to quit alcohol under medical supervision, and if you are chemically dependent on alcohol then you will need medical help, as to quit without it can be fatal. Fix an appointment to see a doctor and talk to them truthfully about your drinking habits and your intention to stop. They will be able to prescribe you with medicinal drugs to make the withdrawal process a comfortable experience.

Quit drinking

Once you have stopped drinking alcohol it will be essential in the early days to avoid the people and places you connect with alcohol. It may also be a good idea you to find a support group where you can discuss your feelings and ask for help should you need it. I would recommend that you look at SMART and Rational Recovery as these are two good resources accessible to you on the Internet. I personally would not recommend Alcoholics Anonymous as I didn’t find them helpful and I don’t believe that their recovery statistics are that great, but that is only my opinion.

Create a plan

Now you have stopped drinking alcohol, develop a strategy to keep yourself from returning to it. In the early days of not drinking you will come up with all manner of excuses to return to to the habit. You may believe that you will be able to control it and will start to see it as less of a problem and you will only remember only the good times that you had whilst drinking etc. For every argument you will need to have a solid counter argument. So think about all of the reasons why returning to drinking could be an option and write them down along with all of the reasons why you prefer to stay stopped.

Get support from your family and friends

Tell your family and friends how sincere you are about quitting drinking and ask them to be considerate of your decision. Ask them not to drink around you in the early days and avoid having alcohol in the house. The support of your family will make not drinking a lot easier.

Keep a journal

It’s a very good idea to keep a journal when you quit drinking and it can serve as a effective tool in your recovery. Writing down how you are feeling and all the problems that you are experiencing can be liberating and will keep you firmly committed to defeating your addiction

About the Author

Rob Maggs is a reformed alcoholic dedicated to self improvement and personal development. He is a developer of powerful meditation software.