Overcoming Alcohol Addiction

It’s important to remember that you’re going to be craving alcohol to reward the short-term part of your brain, not the long term. Create some goals for yourself to remind yourself of what you’re working towards.

Research local options such as these and share the information with your peers in recovery. You may find an annual sober event that becomes a new tradition where you can enjoy a fun, safe and festive atmosphere. Even if local sober support groups don’t schedule any “sober parties,” it is important to attend a meeting to bolster your commitment to sobriety — and support others in theirs. The holiday might be a good excuse to attend a different 12-step meeting than the usual one, to meet new people and expand your support network.

Make New Friends

It’s much easier to avoid drinking if you don’t keep temptations around. Keep a record of your drinking to help you reach your goal. For 3 to 4 weeks, write down every time you have a drink and how much you drink. Reviewing the results, you may be surprised at your weekly drinking habits. Write your drinking goal down and keep it where you will frequently see it, such as on your phone or taped to your refrigerator. Once you’ve made the decision to change, the next step is establishing clear drinking goals.

According to a national survey in 2019, 20.4 million Americans had experienced a substance use disorder over the past year. And data from the previous year showed that only about one tenth of individuals with an SUD received the treatment they needed. We are more than happy to help with any problems you may have regarding addiction. In other cases, many people just enjoy the taste of beer.

Managing alcohol cravings

Getting sober may have been difficult, but staying sober can be just as much of a challenge. Relapses do happen so it is important to stay diligent and continue to aim toward your goal of sobriety every day.

• This may include attending regular in-person support groups or online meetings to help keep your recovery on track.
• In addition to being able to recognize them, it’s important to know when to seek help.
• Go for a run in the woods or kick a soccer ball around with the kids.
• Recovery is not something that should be done alone.

Not everybody requires medically supervised detox or an extended stint in rehab. The care you need depends on a variety of factors, including your age, drug-use history, medical or psychiatric conditions. In addition to doctors and psychologists, many clergy members, social workers, and counselors offer addiction treatment services. Whether you have a problem with illegal or prescription drugs, addiction treatment should be customized to your unique situation. It’s important that you find a program that feels right.

Connect With a Peer Support Group

You’d practically have to become a hermit to avoid situations with alcohol completely. Replace your addiction with drug-free groups and activities. Volunteer, become active in your church or faith community, or join a local club or neighborhood group. Talk to friends or family members about craving when it occurs.

Drugs with a high abuse potential include painkillers, sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety medication. Once you’re sober, the negative feelings that you dampened with drugs will resurface. For treatment to be successful, you’ll first need to resolve your underlying issues. Usually the first step is to purge your body of drugs and manage withdrawal symptoms. Consider staging a family meeting or an intervention, but don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation.

Create a new routine and avoid old habits

You have to reaffirm your commitment to an alcohol-free lifestyle constantly, but you don’t have to do it alone. If you are in pain, it can be difficult to stay motivated to maintain control and stifle your addiction at that moment. If your addiction is to a prescription drug that relieves pain, ask your doctor for a referral to a pain specialist if you want to explore other options for pain control. Everyone needs the support of others in their lives, and your friends and family can make up your support network.

This could include staying away from friends that you used to drink with often or even something as small as deciding to start making your bed every morning. Some of your old tendencies could be part of the reason for your past alcohol abuse. If you continue to do things the same way as before, it will be hard to expect to keep your sobriety. In combination with a safe environment, you should also tips to quit drinking ensure that you are not afflicted by relapse triggers. Relapse triggers can be people, places, or things that cause you to crave drugs and alcohol. For example, common relapse triggers include drug-using friends, bars, holiday parties, toxic relationships, stress, boredom, and negative emotions like anger and sadness. As you navigate your recovery, try to proactively avoid these triggers.