How to Stop Drinking

If you're finding it hard to say no to alcohol, you're inviting many troubles for your mental and physical health. If you feel you have crossed the easily evident line of moderate drinking to enter in the heavy drinking zone, it is high time you rethink about the consequences it will have in your life. To help you in the mission to curb your drinking urge, we present an article below.
Many a time, we find out that even though excessive drinkers are willing to give up the disastrous drinking habit, they remain unsuccessful to do so. The reason is simple, old habits don't die an easy death. The mind is used to the sensation alcohol creates and so it repeatedly compels the body to extend the sensation. It is a vicious cycle that the mind is habituated to and the body wants frequently. To cure it, there is no magical or shortcut method. Rome wasn't built in one day and so a negative habit like alcohol abuse needs time and efforts to quit.

How to Stop Drinking Alcohol
It doesn't take some extra amount of comprehensive ability to understand that quitting alcohol will have various positive results on your health. But it happens that alcohol addiction, that has continued for years, can't be quit easily. When an individual begins quitting alcohol, he may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms, that are often difficult to deal with. Nonetheless, believe in the old aged adage - 'where there is will, there is a way', and fight this bad habit.

Know 'Why I Want to Quit'
There is no dearth of reasons for quitting alcohol. For better health, improved metabolism and better cardiovascular functioning, quitting alcohol is necessary. In fact, research in the recent years has suggested that depression and alcoholism are interrelated and excessive drinking increases risk of depression. Make a list of reasons for quitting alcohol. Ask your friends and family members to help you out in making a list. Paste the list at places where you can see it easily (bathroom mirror, refrigerator, kitchen, office desk).

Seek Professional Help
Alcohol detoxification takes time and requires medical supervision. Hence, you've got to seek help from self help groups, counselors, friends and family member. Asking for help when you need it the most can be a turning point in your life. This is one of the most important steps in learning simple steps to stop drinking alcohol.

Respect Thy Self
Build positive self-esteem. You can't simply throw away your life under the spell of a bad habit. You've been given health and body to carry out bigger tasks in this world. Believe in the beauty of life. Unleash all determination you've within yourself. Self belief is essential to break this vicious cycle of desire to drink and escape in a sensation that lasts temporarily.

Some More Tips to Stop Drinking

Remember, you won't achieve results overnight, so you've got to work consistently in winning the habit of alcohol abuse that has caused so many problems to your health and life. Here are some simple tips to quit this habit:
  • You may have to change your lifestyle and habits to the core. In doing so, you might have to quit your group of friends who encourage you to drink. Spend time with people who cooperate with you in your plans to reduce the intake of alcohol, or quit it completely.
  • Plan ways to avoid parties where you're invited to booze out frequently. Stay away from any such events that interfere with your resolve to quit drinking. It's the easy way to stop drinking.
  • Get busy. Don't stay idle or spend too much time thinking. Learn some new hobbies and practice them religiously. Join a gym or a dance class. Learn something larger than life and create a beautiful relation with it. Even yoga and meditation can cause great benefits.
  • Make it a resolve not to bring alcohol in your home.
  • Learn to say no, positively. It's not mandatory to drink every peg you're offered. Say no politely.
  • If you've been an active drinker, you must quit it slowly. Plan 3 days in a week when you won't drink, at all. On the remaining 4 days, drink slowly. Give a break of 1 hour between two drinks. Slowly, increase the break time after every one week.
  • Never drink when your stomach is empty. Keep eating small meals. This will help you to reduce the alcohol intake.
  • Make it a habit to take fruit juice or soda after every drink, in suitable quantities.
Remember, you're not the first one to fight this battle against alcoholism. There have been numerous people who have won over this habit and you have to ensure that you join the legacy of such people who have quit this habit, with their efforts and willpower. All the best.
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Published: 9/23/2010
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