When to think about it
Experts note that the body forms an addiction to alcohol not immediately. The withdrawal syndrome, which leads to alcoholism, appears later. A person cannot resist the desire to drink, for him it seems to be a way to distract himself from his problems.
If you do not quit drinking in time, the use of alcohol can lead to negative consequences – psychological degradation, when even small doses of alcoholic beverages lead to severe intoxication. Over time, the condition worsens, so it is important to recognize the signs of excessive attachment to alcohol in the early stages.
One should think about a possible problem in the following cases:
The person drinks alcohol more often than once every two to three weeks.
The person does not just drink, but every time intentionally or unintentionally brings himself to a state of heavy intoxication, one or two glasses seems not enough.
A person is convinced that he or she cannot take a full break from the workday, relax or spend time with friends without drinking alcohol.
Myths about alcohol
The impact of alcoholic beverages on humans and their role in society is shrouded in myths. You shouldn’t believe every statement; they are often misunderstood. There are several common myths about alcohol:
- Alcohol is harmful only to people who are genetically predisposed to alcoholism.
Completely incorrect statement. Genetics cannot explain the serious alcohol problems of an individual or an entire nation, because the genetic background has long been mixed. The situation in each country depends on the alcohol policy and distribution of alcoholic beverages, advertising campaigns, the openness of information about the negative effects and the availability of help for people who want to get rid of the problem. For example, compulsory treatment for alcoholism in Ukraine is becoming more widespread, which means that more people learn about the way to get rid of addiction.
- Quality alcohol does not harm the body.
It is believed that the main enemy is surrogate or low-quality raw materials from which alcohol is produced. But it is easy to disprove this by recalling that even the most “high-quality” alcohol is ethanol. That is, a toxic substance that can lead to death if consumed in large quantities. Thus, experts have proven that the greatest harm to the body is not a surrogate and impurities, but the ethyl alcohol itself, which is part of any alcoholic beverages.
- Moderate consumption of alcohol does not harm the body.
There is an overwhelming belief that only alcoholic beverage abuse can have adverse health consequences, and that “normal” alcohol consumption is not addictive. This is not true. It has been proven that any dose of ethyl alcohol is harmful. Psychologists have said many times that terms such as “moderate” or “cultural” alcohol consumption should not be used. They are misleading, and a person gets a kind of permission to drink alcohol.
- alcoholic beverages help to relax and relieve stress.
One of the most serious misconceptions. Alcohol is not a guarantee of rest at all. On the contrary, it creates the illusion of relaxation and stress relief by “tricking” the brain cells. When a person drinks alcoholic beverages and it seems to him that he becomes calmer, the tension in the nervous system remains. As soon as the state of intoxication subsides, it increases exponentially. As a result, alcohol only masks the stress.
- “Light” alcoholic drinks are not as harmful as strong drinks.
It is believed that beer or cider are much less harmful to the human body than vodka. This statement should not be taken seriously. It is the “lightness” that leads to negative consequences. When a person drinks beer, it seems to him that the intoxication is quite insignificant. As a result, drinking is often not limited to one, two, or even three bottles.
How to quit drinking alcohol on your own
Alcohol addiction is a serious disease of psychological and physical nature, which in many cases can not be treated independently. In neglected cases, you can not do without the help of a narcologist, as incorrect or insufficient action can lead to death. Often the only way out is medication-assisted treatment for alcoholism.
However, not everyone who wants to quit drinking is at a neglected stage. In addition, not everyone is willing to communicate with specialists due to lack of money for treatment or distrust of modern methods of therapy. And in most small communities it is impossible to find someone who could help with this problem.
In any case, whether the patient turns to a specialist for help, goes to a rehabilitation center or tries to cure alcoholism on their own, there are a number of tips that an addict can follow. First, the person needs to understand exactly what led him or her to become addicted to alcohol. Perhaps it is friends who constantly drink alcohol; corporate parties that are not without strong drinks; a family member who often drinks. Once the person understands the root of the problem and begins to get rid of it, the result of treatment will not take long.
Of course, changing the environment is not enough. Despite the fact that part of the psychological problems of the addict from alcohol lies exactly in the social factor, individual peculiarities cannot be excluded. A person who is completely satisfied with his life, living in harmony with his inner world, will not seek solace in a bottle of alcohol. Very often dissatisfaction with life, dissatisfaction with the status quo or other psychological factors lead to alcoholism.
This is the reason why most alcoholics are men. For the stronger sex, issues of social fulfillment, ambition and status are more complex and deeper than for women. Alcoholic beverages create the illusion of success. It begins to seem to the alcoholic that the top of the career ladder is not needed at all, as he already feels the best and confident in his own abilities. So if you don’t quit drinking in time you can stay with unrealized dreams and undermined health.
When a person begins to take control of himself and strive for something, whether family or career well-being, the need for constant “feeding” of alcohol disappears. Only an activity that a person will treat with love and awe will be able to push thoughts of alcohol out of the mind.
