No matter why you decide to stop drinking alcohol, what matters is that you commit to doing it safely. If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, the best way to learn how to stop drinking is to seek help. Why? Because the more you abuse alcohol, the worse your alcohol withdrawal symptoms could be.
You could experience headaches, fevers, mood swings, nausea, heart palpitations, and perhaps even life-threatening conditions, such as seizures or delirium tremens. Fortunately, addiction treatment centres are well-equipped to help you face the different challenges of alcohol detox.
That being said, if you feel confident about quitting alcohol safely at home, here is how to do it.
Speak with your doctor
Before you stop drinking alcohol, speak with your doctor or another healthcare provider. Tell them about your situation and your decision to quit drinking alcohol on your own. They should be able to advise you and help you manage withdrawal symptoms.
However, suppose your doctor determines that you might not be able to go through alcohol detox on your own without experiencing severe symptoms. In that case, it’s best to listen to their advice and consider help from an addiction treatment centre.
Inform your friends and family of your decision to quit alcohol
Be sure to let your friends and family know of your decision to quit drinking. They can provide you with much-needed emotional support and help you stay motivated if your journey is not as smooth as you want it to be.
Above all, it’s important to make sure the people you usually drink alcohol with understand that you are serious about your decision to quit. If someone can’t respect your choice and keeps offering you a drink, it might be best to stop seeing them for some time.
Don’t hesitate to seek support or ask for help
If you struggle with the process of quitting alcohol, don’t hesitate to seek support or ask a friend or a healthcare professional for help. You don’t have to do it all alone. Talk to your doctor about withdrawal symptoms. Talk to a friend about how difficult it is to avoid triggers and manage your alcohol cravings.
Consider therapy or joining a support group to have a safe space to talk about your struggles. And if it gets too challenging, learn more about how an addiction treatment centre can help you quit alcohol safely, once and for all.
Be aware of your triggers and do your best to avoid them
To be able to quit alcohol, you need to be aware of your triggers and avoid them. What, or who, makes you want to reach for a drink?
If you always drink when hanging out with certain friends, tell them you must avoid them for some time. You should also avoid bars, house parties, and any event where alcohol will flow. And obviously, don’t keep alcohol or drinking accessories in your home.
Gradually reduce your alcohol intake
Some people quit drinking suddenly and experience no withdrawal symptoms or only mild ones. This technique might work for you. Or it might not.
The safest way to quit alcohol is to gradually reduce your alcohol intake. Start by drinking 10% less than usual for a few days or a week. Reduce your intake more. If you experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms, take things slowly. Of course, this technique requires discipline, so support from your loved ones will help.
Drink plenty of water and eat healthy foods
One crucial part of quitting alcohol safely is making lifestyle changes. Above all, drink plenty of water while reducing your alcohol intake. This will help you prevent dehydration.
Eat healthy meals and snacks. Managing your withdrawal symptoms is much easier. And move your body regularly. Exercise will reduce stress and alcohol cravings.
Be on the lookout for alcohol withdrawal symptoms
Pay attention to how you feel, physically and mentally, while reducing your alcohol intake. You might feel irritable, have headaches, and even lack an appetite for some time.
Mild symptoms should be easy to manage. But if you experience severe symptoms, you must take the situation seriously and seek medical help.
