Quit Drinking – Why You Should And Who Can Help

Waking up with the mother of all hangovers will have many people declaring “That is it, I am going to quit drinking”. The problem for millions of men and women the world over is that such a statement is far easier to say than it is to achieve.

Let’s consider why alcohol consumption can so easily get out of hand, how it can affect you, and just 2 approaches to prevent the demon drink from taking hold of your life in an extremely negative way.

Alcohol:

As long as you are over the age of consent it is legal, and even if you are underage it is easily obtained.

It can be extremely enjoyable and relaxing if taken in moderation and drinking is an accepted practice by a wide range of communities the world over.

Having said that, it should be very clearly understood that alcohol is also highly addictive.

Because of its availability and acceptance in society alcohol is readily available from many sources, this means it is very straightforward for people to start and continue to drink at will.

What is not easy for those over using alcohol is to simply quit drinking. Here’s why:

The Pleasure Palace!

Many who drink find a great deal of pleasure from their imbibing. This is because alcohol works on the brain to increase endorphin production. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that are responsible for many things including euphoria and relaxation. By drinking you begin to feel good, confidence can grow and inhibitions are loosened.

Addiction Avenue:

So far, so good. The problem is that your mind and body quickly develop a tolerance to alcohol consumption. This tolerance gives you a drinking problem.

It means that to achieve the same effects as previously experienced you need to drink more. The more you drink, the more dependent you become on alcohol both from a physical and psychological aspect.

Such a dependence upon alcohol will eventually lead to addiction. This is because the quest to satisfy your craving will grow and grow. The end result is that you will continue to consume evermore quantities.

The brain needs feeding and it tells the body this in no uncertain terms. It is vital to understand that if you take the approach to stop drinking abruptly your body will show its displeasure in the form of:

AWS – Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome:

When you accept there is a problem with the amount of alcohol you are consuming, you have taken a major step in the right direction. While it is admirable to try and quit drinking on your own this is a tough path to travel.

In all likelihood your cravings will get the better of your efforts, and you will rapidly need ‘just one drink’ to ease such cravings. Of course, one drink will lead to another and then another, and thus the vicious alcohol addiction circle will begin to spin even faster.

This is why it is advisable to seek the assistance of a professional, qualified alcohol rehab centre. Before we explain why such establishments can give you the best possible chance of overcoming your alcohol addiction here are some AWS facts:

AWS onset:

The time it takes for AWS symptoms to appear will vary from person to person and how deeply dependent they are upon alcohol. Such symptoms can occur anywhere from 6 hours to a couple of days after your last drink.

Symptoms:

AWS symptoms vary from person to person, but commonly include such things as body tremors, in particular the shaking of your hands, you will feel anxious, nervous and irritable, nauseous feelings will be fairly constant and in some cases you will experience vomiting.

Headaches and sweating are common and many who try to stop drinking abruptly will suffer confusion and insomnia, and when they do fall asleep this uneasy rest will often be accompanied by nightmares.

It gets worse before it gets better:

These symptoms along with others will get worse before they get better. There is a good chance that over the first 2 or 3 days they will worsen and then persist for weeks.

That is the good news!

While the above symptoms are quite common, those with serious alcohol addiction problems will suffer from the most severe type of withdrawal. This is known as Delirium Tremens, or DT’s.

Such symptoms include extreme agitation and confusion, fever conditions, and tactile hallucinations. This means you suffer from feelings of itchiness, numbness or a burning sensation that do not exist. Many then have to add into the mix visual and sound hallucinations where they see images or hear sounds that do not exist.

Anyone suffering from severe AWS symptoms needs to seek emergency medical treatment.

Who is best placed to help you quit drinking?

The initial admittance of having a drink problem, the misery it is causing to your loved ones, and the physical and psychological damage it is doing to your body must first come from within, as we have already touched on, trying to go it alone is not the best, nor easiest route to take.

Alcohol addiction needs treating with the assistance of professional alcohol rehab establishments.

They fully understand the issues and challenges you face, the signs and strength of the withdrawal symptoms you will go through, and the measures required to give you the best chance possible of accepting your situation, and in helping you progress with a positive roadmap in terms of getting your life back on track.

Physical, Psychological and Spiritual treatment – Now and for the future:

The very best alcohol rehab programs will incorporate a residential stay that includes mentoring through achievable physical exercise based on your current condition.

It will include psychological mentoring that meets and faces the reasons why you are in the position you are in, and they will offer spiritual teachings to help you come to terms with your alcohol addiction.

Just as importantly such treatment will offer extensive aftercare programs that are tailored to suit you and your ongoing circumstances.

When such treatment is combined the desire to quit drinking will be as resolute as possible, and it will give you the best possible chance to overcome an addiction that is very easy to acquire and very difficult to challenge.