Stop Drinking and Stay Sober: The Best Options

If you feel that you are drinking more than is appropriate, you might be interested in information on how to stop drinking. Although most adults drink alcohol to some degree and do so in moderation, some people find that once they start drinking, they tend to consume more than planned, especially if they are enjoying themselves with family or friends. It’s hard for some individuals to control their drinking, and for these people, a dry period may be beneficial to their health and their wallet.

Others may have developed a physical dependence on alcohol, and for them, information on how to stop drinking is more important than anything else. Alcohol addiction is an illness that will continue to get worse without help, and the only way to treat it is with abstinence. Here at Recovery.org.uk, we know how difficult it is to quit drinking if you have a problem, but we also know that it is not impossible. With the right care and support, we believe that even those with the most severe alcohol addictions can overcome their illness.

The Benefits of Sobriety

Once or twice a year, alcohol charities urge people to give up drinking for a month, typically in January (after the excesses of Christmas) and then again in September (after people have returned from their summer holidays). At these times of the year, many individuals want to get healthy again and are ready to find out how to stop drinking for a while.

There are numerous benefits to quitting alcohol for an entire month, but surprisingly, many people find it harder than they expect. Alcohol is present at so many social events that even moderate drinkers feel uncomfortable and ‘boring’ when they are not drinking.

Sadly, alcohol has become so prevalent in society that people are made to feel like outcasts for not having a drink. What most fail to realise is that alcohol is a toxic substance that causes hundreds of illnesses and is directly linked to seven different forms of cancer.

Those who give up drinking for a month will notice a difference in their appearance. They will look and feel better, and their sleep patterns will begin to improve. They will have more money in their pocket and will have more energy to do the things they want to do.

Those who quit alcohol for good will definitely see the benefits. Alcohol addiction is an illness that affects many people in the UK; for them to overcome this illness, they must get sober and work hard every day to stay sober. This is not an easy thing to do, but it will definitely be worth it.

Alcoholism and How to Stop Drinking

If you or a loved one have an addiction to alcohol, then you will be very interested in finding out information on how to stop drinking. For those with alcoholism, it is actually dangerous to suddenly quit drinking by themselves without first getting advice.

The reason for this is that the body will react to its supply of alcohol suddenly being cut off. When a person with a physical dependence stops drinking, the body will try to get back to normal, which will result in withdrawal symptoms of varying degrees. While mild symptoms are unpleasant but manageable, more severe symptoms can be very dangerous, and even fatal. It is never a good idea for an alcoholic to quit drinking without supervision.

The best way to quit drinking is within the confines of a supervised detox facility. A detox programme involves stopping drinking and then waiting for the alcohol to leave the system. This sounds simple enough, but because of the risk of complications, it is necessary for a qualified medical professional to be on hand in case of emergencies.

There is more to quitting alcohol than just getting sober, however. Those who have an alcohol problem will need rehabilitation, which will help them identify the cause of their addictive behaviour. It is essential that those who have given up alcohol learn how to live without it. At the end of the day, the alcoholic will always be an alcoholic and will be in danger of relapsing if he or she does not work hard to maintain his or her sobriety.

Treatment for Alcoholism

Detox is not the same as treatment for alcoholism. While getting sober is crucial, staying sober and learning how to avoid triggers and temptations is even more important. There are a number of options available to you if you want to learn how to stop drinking. You can choose to enrol in an outpatient programme where you will attend therapy and counselling sessions on a daily or weekly basis for a given period.

Many individuals with alcoholism prefer to attend a residential programme, however. This is because it offers an intensive and structured approach to alcohol treatment. Inpatient treatment programmes typically run for a period of six to eight weeks. Patients will stay at the facility, at which they will not have to worry about the distractions of everyday life. They will spend their days attending sessions with counsellors and therapists, which could include group therapy sessions, individual counselling, motivational interviewing, contingency management, and cognitive behavioural therapy.

Most residential clinics also provide workshops and seminars on independent living, relapse prevention and other life skills necessary for the recovering alcoholic to thrive in the real world. There may also be alternative therapies such as meditation, yoga, art therapy and acupuncture, which are all incorporated to help heal the mind, body and spirit of the patient.

For information on how to stop drinking and how to access the treatment providers in your area, contact us here at Recovery.org.uk today. We will provide you with a fully comprehensive assessment of your illness and will offer advice and support throughout the process. Our team of experienced counsellors, therapists and support staff have already helped many people just like you to access the treatments they needed to overcome their illness, and they are waiting to take your call now.