Alcohol has become a part of life for many. A bottle of beer in front of the TV after work, a couple of glasses of wine at dinner, unlimited cocktails at a friend's birthday party. . . Even if you drink little, drinking alcohol sooner or later can become a serious problem: you will develop a bad habit that you will have to fight for a long time. In the article we will discuss an important issue: how to give up alcohol. How will your life change after you stop drinking?
Who should completely stop drinking alcohol?
Quitting drinking means minimizing the consumption of alcoholic beverages or completely eliminating them from your life.
There are many reasons why people at some point decide to give up alcohol completely. These could be health problems caused by, among other things, excessive alcohol consumption. Another common reason is a person's desire to lead a healthy lifestyle, experiencing all the benefits that come from giving up alcohol.
Sobriety is necessary if:
- Alcohol addiction develops quickly: withdrawal symptoms appear, and it is no longer possible to reduce the amount of alcohol you drink on your own.
- There are physical or mental illnesses that are aggravated by alcohol consumption.
- Even a small amount of alcohol leads to loss of self-control: committing rash acts, excessive spending of money, aggression.
- The pregnancy is planned.
You can figure out if you are addicted to alcohol by asking yourself the question: "Are you looking for reasons or excuses why you can and should drink? How often does this happen? Evaluate how the situation has changed recently. Answer these questions as honestly as you can.
This way you will be able to understand if you really need to give up alcohol, or if you already drink small quantities and are not dependent on it.
Quit Drinking Calendar: What Happens After You Stop Drinking?
"I won't say that I drank too much or too often. But the mandatory minimum of alcohol was as follows: a Friday party with friends with cocktails, a couple of bottles of beer a week with an interesting film, a Sunday dinner with my husband with 1-2 glasses of wine. The decision to give up alcohol completely came unexpectedly. I just thought it would be nice to test myself to see if I could stop drinking alcohol completely. My life changed a lot when I stopped.
As soon as I told my friends that I didn't drink anymore, they took it as a joke and didn't believe it for a long time. They thought I was pregnant or sick with something, since I had made such a decision. My acquaintances and my husband did not immediately get used to my complete sobriety. My mother was also wary of this decision and she would ask if everything was okay. It's strange, but in people's understanding sobriety is something out of the ordinary.
Giving up alcohol wasn't easy for me. No matter what holiday I went on, people I knew and didn't know were desperately trying to get me drunk: "here's to your health, " "just a little. "There were more than enough temptations. But I resisted. Only after a couple of months did I get used to the idea that there was no place for alcohol in my life.
After a couple of months I noticed that I had lost weight. All these snacks on beer and wine were clearly harming my figure. I began to sleep much better: with much vigor in the morning. My husband and I continue to meet up with friends. But there were much fewer parties and noisy parties. It turned out that without doping in the form of alcohol, loud music in bars is just annoying. I perceive all this as a positive change: I have so many free evenings. At the same time, no hangover in the morning. My husband and I enrolled in a dance school. It's not just the holidays that bring joy.
I haven't had a drink in six months now. And I don't intend to interrupt my sober lifestyle: I liked it. I'm happy with everything that happened to me after I stopped drinking. It's like I've become freer. "
If a person drinks only occasionally and strictly controls the amount of alcohol, it will be easy for him to give up a bad habit. But when alcohol consumption turns into a disease and physical dependence has already been formed, the body will "resist" the reduction in doses of alcoholic beverages. It is worth preparing for the fact that the transition to a healthy lifestyle will take more than a month.
How does your body recover after you stop drinking?
| A period of time | Physiological and emotional changes |
|---|---|
| 1st day | After many years of alcohol use, even one day without alcohol is an impressive amount of time. The body will "request" another dose of ethyl alcohol. The first thing anyone who stops drinking will face are withdrawal symptoms of varying severity. Symptoms are: nausea, constipation or diarrhea; dizziness; heachache; hand tremors; increased body temperature; mood swings |
| 2nd day | The signs of alcohol withdrawal syndrome are slightly reduced compared to the first day. But the body still undergoes an active detoxification process - the removal of degradation products of ethyl alcohol. This may be accompanied by abdominal pain. In some cases, during the recovery of the body, discomfort in the liver also appears. My head continues to pound. A person who has begun to struggle with addiction seeks solitude, is irritated, sometimes aggressive and suffers from insomnia or nightmares. He sees everything in black: it seems like it will always be this bad. Therefore, it is in the first days that it is most difficult to cope with the desire to drink. I want to get rid of this torment as quickly as possible. Severe anxiety and panic can arise at this time, sometimes resulting in an obsessive thought that if you don't drink you can die. Everything is aggravated by serious conditions of the body: in the process of adapting to work without alcohol, all systems of the body can function poorly, which is why this terrible impression arises: "I will die now if I don't drink. " |
| 3rd day | The body begins its recovery in the first few days after stopping drinking alcohol. Physical well-being improves. But the psyche is still "at its limit". Even the sound of a dripping faucet can irritate an addict. Mood swings cause headaches and outbursts of aggression. Still disturbed sleep |
| 4-5 day | Withdrawal syndrome in drug addicts in the 1st and 2nd stages of alcoholism goes away almost completely. Someone who stops drinking develops an appetite. But large meals can cause nausea and intestinal problems |
| 6-8th day | The drug addict's withdrawal symptoms disappear completely. His mental state improves significantly. About 7 days after you stop drinking alcohol, your sleep returns to normal. A person begins to sleep more deeply, which means he feels much more alert than before. A surge of energy often makes you want to finally exercise. A person's skin tone improves (swelling and red spots disappear), and hands stop shaking, and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract normalizes. |
| 2 weeks | Over the next week, mental processes are restored: consciousness becomes clearer, confusion in thoughts finally disappears. The headaches don't bother me anymore. Doctors note that 2 weeks after completely giving up alcohol, heart rate and blood pressure return to normal, shortness of breath disappears and breathing is restored. A person who stops drinking may experience weight gain during this period. Some people try to compensate for giving up alcoholic beverages with delicious foods. |
| Month | By the end of the first month after stopping drinking alcohol, the body removes the breakdown products of ethyl alcohol. However, the psychological state can be serious: as a rule, the person is sad and depressed. She has lost her usual behavior pattern and that is stress. Now he needs to understand how to live further, what to do, what to do, what to do, etc. Only after going through the first phase of abstinence does he rejoice and enjoy a sober life for several days, but immediately after that the "struggle of motives" begins - "to drink or not", and this leads to tension and the risk of developing depression . On the one hand, a person understands that he feels better and has endured severe pain, but the cravings and the formed pattern of behavior do not allow him to completely abandon alcohol. A person is between "to be or not to be", he begins to look for reasons to drink, looks for excuses. Hence the mood swings and increased irritability. If you prepare for it, i. e. understand that it is inevitable, but temporary and that it will pass soon, maybe it will be a little easier. But the physical condition improves: the teeth become whiter, the swelling of the face and limbs disappears, the circles under the eyes disappear. The tremor in my hands, if it was there before, no longer bothers me. During the first and subsequent months after quitting alcohol, liver function is actively restored |
| 3 months | When someone stops drinking, their immune system starts working at full capacity. The person is healthy and energetic. He has already learned to spend his free time without alcohol, finding it an interesting activity. Even a long period of abstinence does not guarantee that a person will not relapse if he starts drinking alcohol again. The risk of recurrence is still very high. If during difficult times in life your hand reaches for a bottle of alcohol, you need to stop. Only willpower will help you resist |
| Six months | 6 months is an impressive period of sober living. People struggling with an addiction usually find interesting interests and hobbies during this period. It helps you not think about alcohol while enjoying life. |
| Year | The physical and emotional state of the person who has stopped drinking is stable. A person realizes that life without alcohol is wonderful. He actively communicates with friends and family, seeks goals in life and achieves them. After a long period of abstinence from alcohol, the liver and kidneys are completely restored, if no serious pathologies in the functioning of the organs have previously been diagnosed |
Abrupt cessation of alcohol: mistakes, consequences
There is an opinion that suddenly giving up alcohol can harm your health. This is only partly true.
If we talk about the rare consumption of alcohol in small doses, then the complete abolition of alcohol-containing drinks will only have a positive effect on the condition of the body. With the right behavioral attitudes, a person can easily and painlessly give up alcohol. In this case, the phrase "you can't suddenly stop drinking" is just an excuse for those who are not yet ready to lead a sober lifestyle.
And for people who have been diagnosed with the 1st or 2nd stage of alcoholism, suddenly giving up alcohol can really be harmful. As a rule, they face a real retreat. Withdrawal syndrome shows itself in all its splendor. In the acute stage, it can cause seizures and fainting, which are fraught with negative health consequences.
Why does the drug addict's body react so violently to the decrease in the concentration of ethanol in the blood? If a person drank for a long time, the functions of internal systems changed significantly under the influence of alcohol: the synthesis of enzymes and hormones was disrupted, and organs began to function poorly. It takes time for the body to recover after stopping drinking alcohol: the detoxification process lasts at least a month.
If alcoholism is diagnosed, the process of detoxification of the body must take place under the supervision of specialists. In some cases, it is necessary for the patient to stop taking the drug in case of binge drinking. Since sudden abstinence from alcohol can have negative consequences for a person's health, it is impossible to practice various folk methods of getting rid of binge drinking.
The benefits of a sober lifestyle
Getting rid of alcohol addiction is a long journey, which can be accompanied by numerous relapses. This is a real test of willpower and endurance. But as a reward, you get all the benefits of sober living.
What positive changes will occur after quitting alcohol?
- Excellent health
Alcohol consumption negatively affects the condition of most organs. Even "weak" drinks containing alcohol damage the liver, kidneys, pancreas, cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal tract. Stopping drinking alcohol is an effective prevention of many serious diseases that cause premature death.
In general, a sober lifestyle strengthens the immune system. Say "no" to alcohol and you will see that you will get sick less in winter. Already in the first month after stopping drinking alcohol, the condition of the skin, hair and nails improves. You will notice that you look much better.
- Sweet dreams
There is an opinion that a couple of glasses of wine in the evening helps to fall asleep better. This is a myth it's time to stop believing. As the effects of alcohol wear off, a person may wake up, interrupting their rest. Sleep after drinking even a small amount of alcohol is restless and superficial.
After 2-3 weeks of complete abstinence from alcohol, sleep is restored. Your rest does not disturb anything, which means that in the morning you feel cheerful.
- Feeling happy
Many people think that alcohol is a great antidepressant. But the fact is that it gives a good mood only for a short period of time. And then apathy, aggression and guilt follow. The whole range of negative emotions disappears, you just need to drink a little more. This is how psychological dependence on alcohol is formed: a person ceases to enjoy life without the stimulation of alcoholic beverages.
By leading a sober lifestyle, you will gradually learn to be happy without alcohol. When giving up alcohol, the body "resists" and requires another dose of doping. But just a month will pass and you will look at the world with completely different eyes.
- Excellent memory
Scientists have found that drinking alcohol reduces a person's ability to remember, since with the development of an addiction, ethyl alcohol gradually destroys neural connections in the brain. A "experienced" alcoholic will have difficulty remembering an address or any date.
But the disruption of neural connections is a reversible process. All you have to do is stop drinking. By giving up alcohol, you will notice that your thoughts become clearer: any information is absorbed and remembered better, and the overall performance of the brain improves. It is believed that memory efficiency can be restored on average in 2-3 months.
- Financial stability
Positive changes in the body are not the only benefit of quitting alcohol. Another nice benefit is saving money. High-quality alcoholic drinks are expensive - this can be a serious blow to your budget.
Calculate for yourself how much you will save per month by giving up your daily portion of wine before going to bed.
9 tips to help you stop drinking
No matter how long it took you to decide to stop drinking alcohol, transitioning to a sober lifestyle involves major life changes. You will have to change your established habits and work on yourself.
The following recommendations will help you give up alcohol in the initial stages of alcohol consumption:
- Take a sober break
For those who cannot get used to the idea that now there will not be a drop of alcohol in their life, you can try to trick your brain. A good option is to take a "sober break. "That is, first, set an achievable goal: not drinking at all for 30 days. This will be a kind of break in the lifestyle established with regular alcohol consumption.
Perhaps, having experienced all the positive changes after quitting drinking, a short break will give you an incentive to stop drinking forever.
- Find an interesting hobby
Replace bad habits with helpful ones. This will distract you in the first, most difficult, weeks after giving up alcohol completely. An interesting hobby will calm you down and give you positive emotions. If before only alcohol brought positivity, now it will be a hobby.
Think about what activity you would like to do and start without hesitation.
- Relieve irritation with sport
Withdrawal syndrome is certainly accompanied by mood swings. Sadness, irrepressible joy, aggression, irritability - an addict can experience the entire range of emotions in an hour. This causes discomfort not only to him, but also to those around him.
According to narcologists, sport will help the body after completely giving up alcohol. Physical activity will relieve psycho-emotional stress and distract from negative thoughts. Getting used to regular exercise can be difficult, but over time it will become easier and the effort will pay off handsomely. You will become calmer, you will also get your body in shape and strengthen your immune system.
Physical activity can help with alcohol withdrawal in the initial phase, during the so-called "pink period". In this case it is advisable to first obtain permission from a doctor.
- Start planning your day
If you give up alcohol, you'll have to learn to plan each of your days (at least at first). Let there be as few free "windows" as possible in your schedule, then there will be no temptation to spend a boring evening with a glass of wine or beer. Literally in a month you will not have to forcibly load yourself - you will have many interesting hobbies.
- Show some willpower
Most likely, sooner or later you will have to face temptation: a party with friends, a party with relatives. Show willpower and give up alcohol. It may seem unusual at first, but very soon you will learn to have fun without doping.
During periods of abstinence, even temporary, from alcohol it is not necessary to stay at home. Meet friends and loved ones. But make sure in advance that there are enough soft drinks at the party.
- Tell the world your wish
Share your decision to stop drinking with those around you, at least with the people closest to you. Friends and family will definitely support your goals. And with such a foundation you can overcome any difficulty. In addition, you minimize the risk of breakdowns: knowing that you have seriously decided to give up alcohol, your friends will not convince you to drink.
Blogging on the Internet will help someone. Motivate. Share your successes and failures with your subscribers, get support from them.
- Start keeping a sobriety journal
Not ready to put your goals and plans on public display? Then start a personal diary. This is also helpful when eliminating bad habits.
On the pages of your diary, record the process of giving up alcohol day by day: physical and emotional state after quitting alcohol, future plans and goals.
- If you make a mistake, don't get angry
No one is immune from mistakes on the way to achieving a goal. Given how difficult it is to break bad habits, don't beat yourself up if you fail to quit drinking for good. This is not a failure, but just a difficulty on the right path. Let this be additional motivation so you don't fail next time.
- Take advantage of technology for behavior change
The goal of a sober lifestyle deserves respect. But you don't have to face it alone. The process of completely giving up alcohol will be much easier if you seek help from a psychologist.
Behavioral psychology, based on changing destructive behavior patterns, shows effectiveness in fighting addictions. Behavior change technology has shown excellent results. The course will help you quickly and effectively get rid of alcohol addiction.
Completing the course will help you develop positive attitudes and stop drinking alcohol. You will learn a model of healthy behavior, which is necessary if you have set yourself the goal of finally saying a firm "no" to alcohol. The training will help you transition to a sober lifestyle with minimal physical and psychological discomfort. You will realize how wonderful it is to live without alcohol: you will be accompanied by a stable emotional state, high performance and good health.
Work with a psychologist on behavior change technology lasts up to 6 weeks. There is no need to share with your friends or even your family that you are taking the training. The lessons are strictly confidential and you can take them at a time that is most convenient for you. Specialists answer all questions and provide advice via email, chat and telephone.