Overcoming Alcoholism: A Guide to Recovery

“Try doing a ‘dry’ month like Dry January, Go Dry for July or Sober October,” says Moore. In January 2020, more than 6 million people reportedly participated in Dry January, a campaign to reduce alcohol consumption organized by Alcohol Change UK. Follow-up research suggested that most tended to drink in healthier amounts afterward. You’ll get a 100% custom plan, then use daily texts to track your progress =https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and help you stay on target.

Examine alcohol health effects

Another clue that can be an indication of an unhealthy relationship with alcohol is if you make “rules” around drinking. A sober life doesn’t have to mean more time at home as you try to block out triggers. It can mean more time for your other interests, and even new interests.

Alcohol Addiction Coping and Recovery

Addressing character defects in recovery is a transformative process that requires self-awareness, commitment, and consistent effort. Recognizing these defects is the first step toward change, followed by actively replacing negative traits with healthier, more constructive behaviors. At Greater Boston Addiction Centers, our Substance Abuse Treatment and Addiction Therapy Programs provide the tools and support needed to navigate this critical aspect of recovery. Character defects are habitual behaviors, attitudes, or patterns of thinking that negatively affect a person’s life and relationships.

Avoid loneliness.

The larger goal here is to find a sense of community to help get through alcoholism. This is a Step by step-by-step guide towards understanding alcohol addiction and exploring multifaceted aspects of recovery so that you can work towards getting better. We hope that this can be a start how to overcome alcoholism to your road to recovery from alcohol addiction.

This rare, emergency condition causes dangerous changes in the way your brain regulates your circulation and breathing, so it’s important to get to the hospital right away. Write your drinking goal down and keep it where you will frequently see it, such as on your phone or taped to your refrigerator. If your goal is to reduce your drinking, decide which days you will drink alcohol and how many drinks you will allow yourself per day. Try to commit to at least two days each week when you won’t drink at all. Once you’ve made the decision to change, the next step is establishing clear drinking goals.

• Within just a month of not drinking, your body can begin to reap the benefits.
• Fortunately, addiction is treatable and there are things that you can do to improve your success in overcoming your addiction.
• Research shows that most people who have alcohol problems are able to reduce their drinking or quit entirely.
• This can create a gradual removal of you from your social settings that can be detrimental to your well-being.
• People who have a substance use disorder often find that overcoming it is more challenging than they expected.

AA and Other Peer Support Groups for Alcohol Addiction

But friends and family may feel unsure about how best to provide the support needed. The groups for family and friends listed in the “Resources” section may be a good starting point. Because AUD is a chronic, relapsing disorder, persistence is key.

• The first step in overcoming alcohol addiction is acknowledging its presence and its impact on your life.
• Although quitting entirely is the best path to wellness, reducing or eliminating the most harmful substance use or behavior is a huge improvement and will greatly reduce the harm caused.
• In my book The Abstinence Myth, I explain how rigid abstinence models can increase shame, leading to more relapses.
• Strategies that are easier to implement may be more effective for some people.
• Instead of criticizing yourself for having a hard time or slipping up and having a drink, remember that no one’s perfect.

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We do not offer individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment plans. For personal advice, please consult with a medical professional. If you’ve become dependent on alcohol, cutting it out of your life may produce withdrawal symptoms, such as a rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, sweating and shaking. Psychological symptoms can include irritability, anxiety and restlessness.

These medications are prescribed by a primary care provider or other health care provider and may be used alone or in combination with counseling. This guide is written for individuals—and their family and friends—who are looking for options to address alcohol problems. It is intended as a resource to understand what treatment choices are available and what to consider when selecting among them.

strategies for treating addiction

• If you try one approach and end up experiencing a relapse, it may indicate that a different approach might work better for you.
• Additionally, there’s a stark difference between wanting a glass of wine after a long day and obsessing about it all day long.
• If you experience DTs, such as confusion, disorientation, hallucinations, or delusions, seek medical attention immediately.
• Turner notes the importance of bringing along a trusted support person when attending events that involve alcohol.
• Treatment options for overcoming alcoholism are developed based on individual needs, combining therapy, medication, support groups, and lifestyle changes.

For alcohol and drug addictions, it is a good idea to talk to a doctor or local drug clinic about whether you need medical help in quitting. There are options for medications to help alleviate withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, you may need medical supervision during the detox process. Take time to contact friends and family who will support you in your goals. You might also want to let those friends who drink, use drugs, or engage in addictive behaviors know that you are planning to change.

These are challenging to avoid and work through because they may appear randomly. Avoiding temptations requires being aware of external and internal triggers. Strategies that are easier to implement may be more effective for some people. By Kendra Cherry, MSEdKendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the “Everything Psychology Book.” If you try one approach and end up experiencing a relapse, it may indicate that a different approach might work better for Sober living home you.