The first hurdle to alcohol addiction recovery is admitting you have a problem. This in itself can be a monumental task. But since you’re reading an article titled, “How to Stop Drinking Alcohol” it seems like you’re on the right track. But you’re here because you want to know how to stop drinking alcohol.
A good place to start is by determining whether or not you have a problem. The Prominence Treatment Center homepage has a brief three-question quiz on whether or not you might be an alcoholic. After taking the quiz, speaking to an alcohol rehab treatment representative is a positive next move. A representative will help prepare you to make the proper steps toward alcohol addiction recovery.
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Health Risks of Alcohol
A few months ago we chronicled the health risks of alcoholism. We mentioned short-term health complications like impaired judgment and motor skills, but long-term health consequences account for a primary reason why individuals should stop abusing alcohol. Understanding the severity of health issues such as liver disease, heart problems, digestive problems, and diabetic complications can help alcoholics to stop drinking alcohol.
Heart Problems – Alcohol will increase blood pressure, which can trigger heart attacks or strokes.
Digestive Problems – Esophageal ulcers, which are inflamed pancreas and stomach linings, are common with abusive drinking and dangerous to your digestive system.
Diabetic Complications – If you’re already a diabetic, abusing alcohol is very dangerous to your health. Alcohol interferes with the release of glucose and can lower your blood sugar, which is extremely unhealthy for diabetics.
If you already know that alcohol is dangerous for your health and that you need to change your lifestyle, the big question is, “How do I stop drinking alcohol?”
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The best piece of advice we could give you to help stop drinking alcohol is to get help. Think of recovering from alcohol addiction like playing basketball. It’s a team sport. There are too many things to be aware of to do it on your own. If you try to do it alone, you’re more likely to get frustrated and not stick with it. There is no shame in getting help. There are many people out there who just want to help you recover.
Resources:
Bookmark these sites if you need help and want more resources to help you quit drinking.
Prominence Treatment Center Blog
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If you have attempted these actions toward sobriety, but are still not able to completely quit drinking, it might be time for more help. Alcohol addiction rehab centers like Prominence Treatment Center are fully equipped to help someone in an immersed environment. By staying in an inpatient treatment center, you’re able to get professional help from a variety of specialists, who will help you identify the cause of your addiction, treat short-term symptoms, and ultimately overcome your addiction.
Alcohol addiction doesn’t have to own your life. You can live a life free of alcohol. It takes time and perseverance. But by following these suggestions and tips, combined with the self-belief that you can do it, you can finally free yourself from alcohol’s addictive grasp.
Additional Reading
- Check out Living in Sobriety: “Julie’s” Story