All You Need to Know About Quitting Alcohol

Understanding the Need to Quit Alcohol

As most people know, alcohol has a direct effect on one’s health. In moderation, it can leave you feeling groggy and hungover, and over time, if this becomes a pattern, then other issues such as sleeplessness, digestive problems, memory-related troubles, mood changes, and larger issues with conflict.

Recognizing Alcohol Dependency

To be able to quit alcohol, one needs to examine one’s level of alcohol dependency on it. The first step is to acknowledge the fact that one is dependent on alcohol and that they are not going to be able to function without it. Taking steps to avoid them and stop drinking comes as the next step. 

The Impact of Alcohol on Health and Well-being

Other than the known effects of alcohol on the body such as liver damage, sleeping troubles, increased mood changes, and digestion issues, one also ends up getting into conflict with loved ones. It also takes a toll on one’s mental health, often spiraling into other comorbid factors such as depression and anxiety, which then adds to the issues with alcoholism. 

When Is the Right Time to Quit Alcohol?

Giving up alcohol might be the best option in the light of the following scenarios:

1. If one has symptoms of alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse or has been diagnosed with alcohol use disorder.
2. If one has chronic pain, cirrhosis of the liver, or hepatitis C. The recipient might also exhibit certain heart conditions, mental disorders, etc.
3. If one is taking medicines that react negatively with the alcohol.
4. If one is trying to conceive or is pregnant. 

Healthcare providers also recommend quitting alcohol to individuals based on their age, family history, sleep schedules, sexual dysfunction, and injuries due to overdosing.

Benefits of Quitting Alcohol

Sobering up after alcoholism is a long, arduous process, and one can see it in various factors, such as:

Improved Physical Health

Your heart and liver heal. If alcohol is less in the body, blood pressure is reduced, leading to a lessening of the chances of heart failure. The liver functions better when there is no alcohol entering the bloodstream, as it has to filter less that way. 

Enhanced Mental Health

Alcohol can make one's cognitive functions slower. Things such as perception, memory, and reading other people’s emotions return when sober. One’s mental health improves since one’s moods are no longer dictated by the effects of alcohol. 

Improved Sleep Quality

Alcohol may induce sleep, but it ruins the actual quality of sleep. The REM cycle gets disturbed, and it may also interfere with one’s breathing. It may also actually disrupt sleep and also cause one to get up more often to relieve oneself. Avoiding alcohol allows for a peaceful night of sleep. 

Weight Loss and Better Nutrition

Cutting down on alcohol can cut down on calories in the alcohol, no doubt, but it reinforces the impulse control one needs to resist the temptation to eat everything when one is drunk. The body demands more food when drunk, and avoiding drinking overall will be better to watch one’s weight. 

Financial Savings

This is also not to be taken lightly, but this is a very expensive disorder to keep. Alcohol, no matter how cheap it is, is still bought with money—money that may be utilized in a better way elsewhere. One can definitely save more by spending less on alcohol. 

How to Quit Alcohol Addiction: Effective Strategies?

Overcoming a substance abuse addiction can be a tough step, however, it is essential to know that the road to recovery is not impossible. Here are the steps you can follow to quit alcohol slowly:

Setting Realistic Goals and Timelines

Getting help and then getting better can take a decent amount of time. It is best to sit down with the doctor and ask them for a realistic timeline, considering if the alcohol dependence treatment plan goes well. Setting goals and expectations for yourself is also key, but they need to be realistic. 

Develop a Personalized Quit Plan

Talking to a doctor and helping [ing settle into a personalized plan for you is the best thing that can be done, as each person’s case and intensity of addiction can vary. This means that not everyone’s treatment plan will look the same and needs to be tailored to their particular needs. 

Remove All Distractions

Keeping away from people or situations that pose as distractions or triggers can help from a relapse once on the path to sobriety. Keeping away from the sight of alcohol can also be helpful to avoid being tempted. 

Seek Professional Counseling

Naturally, counselling in the form of psychotherapy goes a long way, especially if there are comorbid features such as anxiety and depression also present. A psychiatrist plays a critical role in treating alcohol dependence addiction through a combination of clinical interventions, psychological support, and medication management. 

The professional will be able to guide you in a way that will be beneficial over time, rather than you doing it yourself. Alcohol rehab centers provide structured and comprehensive Alcohol Addiction programs designed to help individuals overcome alcohol dependence and achieve long-term sobriety.

Join Support Groups

Cultivating friendships and building a new social group with people who do not prefer drinking alcohol can be very helpful. You could also look for support groups for people who are trying to quit alcohol.

Implement Lifestyle Changes

Some lifestyle changes can also benefit. Reducing, and eventually stopping the consumption of alcohol is a good place to start. Stopping social situations where drinking is expected can also help curb the desire to drink. Replacing alcoholic substances with things like fruit juices and sodas can offer a good substitute as well. 

Use Medication and Therapies

Prescribed medication and psychotherapy are also things to be considered, and are also usually recommended by the doctors themselves when they see a patient with substance abuse. We at Cadabam’s are trained to manage situations such as these, and our professionals will be able to guide the person well.

Overcoming Challenges After Quitting Alcohol

After quitting, withdrawal symptoms may be experienced by people who are in the habit of regular and excessive drinking. This is categorized as Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS).

Alcohol rehab centers provide structured and comprehensive Alcohol Addiction programs designed to help individuals overcome alcohol dependence and achieve long-term sobriety.

Dealing with Withdrawal Symptoms

Several mild to moderate physical and psychological symptoms are observed, such as anxiety and depression. Individuals may experience elevated blood pressure and heart rate. Sometimes, they might experience loss of appetite or even nausea and vomiting. Rapid mood changes are common with alcohol withdrawal.

Managing Cravings and Triggers

Cravings are bound to come up sooner or later in the sobriety journey. One needs to be prepared for a healthy alternative and needs to have the resolution to stick through the plan. One should also anticipate the triggers and avoid them to the best of their abilities—and if not, how to deal with them in a way that doesn’t lead to relapse. 

Building a Supportive Environment

A support system is also of huge importance. Having the right kind of support truly can make or break the situation, and the support system will be able to help the person push through and motivate them to do their best. 

Maintaining Sobriety: Tips and Strategies

Staying sober can be incredibly challenging, and the end goal may seem far off in the distance. However, with some tips and strategies, one may be able to stick to one's goals. 

Developing Healthy Habits and Routines

Being in a routined lifestyle can help immensely to be on track with dealing with alcoholism. A good routine will keep you regulated, and healthy habits such as exercising, self-care, and eating healthy will help your overall health improve, supporting the sobriety journey as well. 

Avoid Triggers and High-Risk Situations

Knowing your limits and your triggers is also essential to be able to maintain one’s sobriety. Know your boundaries and avoid situations wherein you might have to partake in drinking. It may lead to a relapse. 

Finding Joy in Sobriety

One can find joy in sobriety by tapping into other things one has always wanted to do but never had the time. Finding an alternative to drinking is key to using the time spent drinking to do something productive instead. 

Staying Vigilant and Preventing Relapse

Keeping away from situations that provoke the desire to drink to resurface is necessary to be kept in mind. Keeping a vigilant eye on things and being aware of what one needs to focus on, which is sobriety, will help prevent relapse. 

Practice Mindfulness and Self-Care

Self-care is the best form of care. Getting into a habit of doing things one loves and cares to do can make one’s day. Finding something you love can help you get through tough days when you may be tempted to drink. 

Embracing a Sober Lifestyle After Quitting Alcohol with Cadabam’s

Patience is the key when deciding to quit alcohol. The body will heal itself and learn to live a life without alcohol dependency. Although this may be a bumpy ride, it will definitely reap its benefits. Our team at Cadabam’s are specially trained to be able to deal with cases of substance abuse, and our professionals and top-notch facilities will help you get back on track to leading a healthier life. 

 If you are searching for a solution to your problem, Cadabams Anunitha’s De-Addiction Centre can help you with its team of specialized experts. We have been helping thousands of people live healthier and happier lives for 30+ years. We leverage evidence-based approaches and holistic treatment methods to help individuals effectively alcohol Addiction. Get in touch with us today. You can call us at +91 96111 94949. 

FAQs

1. What happens when you stop drinking alcohol?

After quitting, withdrawal symptoms may be experienced by people who were in the habit of regular and excessive drinking. This is categorized as Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome (AWS). It transpires when an alcoholic significantly reduces or completely stops their alcohol intake. Several mild to moderate physical and psychological symptoms are observed.

2. What are the 3 benefits of remaining alcohol-free?

3 benefits of remaining alcohol-free include (but are not limited to):

1. Your liver function gets better since there are fewer toxins to filter out from the body
2. Your heart gets healthier since blood pressure levels get lowered and so do the chances of heart failure
3. You may lose weight since a lot of cravings are born out of drinking alcohol, avoiding which cravings will also drop significantly.

3. What are the 5 causes of alcohol abuse?

There can be many causes of alcohol abuse, such as:

1. Biological factors such as getting conditioned to the flavour and pleasure associated with alcohol can alter the brain to become dependent on it.
2. Easy access to alcohol is also a cause of the development of alcohol abuse, sometimes at an early age, especially unsupervised.
3. Social factors such as one's family, religion, culture, and work may influence one to get into drinking as well. 
4. Desire to fit in can also be a reason to start abusing alcohol when one is socially conditioned into it.  
5. People with high stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions are more vulnerable to developing alcoholism.

4. What strategies can help maintain long-term sobriety?

Consulting a doctor is always the first step in such a challenging journey. The doctor can evaluate and analyze drinking patterns, diagnose potential disorders, assess one's overall health, and suggest remedial measures. Medication may also be given to enable the patient to quit. Treatment programs can include residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, and therapy.