Are you struggling with drinking and really looking for ways to quit? Or perhaps you know someone who is struggling with alcohol addiction? You are not alone!  Alcohol addiction is a global issue affecting millions of people without a bias on education, social status, or profession. Although there are instances where the effects of drinking are adverse, the good news is that with proper treatment all is not lost. Thanks to the changing times, good recovering methods have been devised. Treatments that allow addicts to recover, avoid relapse, live harmoniously with others, and lead a meaningful life are available. Let’s look at some of the best ways to stop drinking.  

Change Your Habits

For you to stop drinking, you will need to stop or reduce the intake of alcohol consumption. For example, if you were drinking three bottles a day, you will need to minimize that to one or two to begin your journey. Behavior modification is the first immediate step toward recovery. Though effective, you should be mindful of the causative factors to avoid sliding back into the den. Other approaches to consider are spending time in a positive environment: this is where people talk about life, goals, progress, non-destructive ways of having fun, effective ways of handling challenges, and the willingness to become better and lead quality lives. 

Understanding the journey

Once you have modified your behavior, you will need to understand recovery does not happen overnight. Understanding this helps deal with anger and frustration that often emerge when you relapse. It teaches you to remain patient and help focus on the long-term goals and not give in to the temporary setbacks. It also motivates you together with your family members to make short and realistic goals, and avoid reacting negatively when the goals are not met. Families should also support their loved ones as addicts will respond positively to input and treatments when they know they are loved.  

Therapy

The one benefit that comes with therapy is that you gain more knowledge about drinking: The causal factors, behaviors, moods, etc.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy – What triggers you to drink? Are they intrinsic or extrinsic factors? For you to answer this question, you will need to try cognitive behavioral therapy. It is an intervention method that helps addicts recognize the environment, situations, people, thoughts, and emotions that drives them to drink. By recognizing those factors, you will have fought half the battle since with this awareness and you can act to deal with these prospective situations.  

Rehabilitation therapy: this is where you are put under the supervision of addiction therapists on a residential or outpatient basis. You get a chance to learn and discover there is more to life than seeking the pleasure that is brought by alcohol.

Addiction stems from the continuous and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol. In most cases, alcohol is used to fight frustration, stress, and embarrassment. Most people drink to temporarily forget about the nagging issues. What we forget to remember is after the tables are cleared and the hangover has subsided, the issue(s) we were running from will still be in the same or worse. 

Counselors dive into your lifestyle, the causative factors, and analyze the environment. With counseling, you receive effective solutions that will help fight the desire to drink. Counselors will instill the habit of facing challenges head-on instead of seeking temporary solace in alcohol. For example, if you consume alcohol for entertainment, you will receive the counsel of other alternatives that are harmless. 

TSM Alcohol Treatment 

We mentioned earlier that the best way to stop drinking is to find the right medication. TSM alcohol treatment entails taking craving-suppressing medication as recommended by medical experts. It is affordable, safe, and effective. It is one of the few methods that recognize that suppressing the drinking urge is easier said than done. TSM enables one to make a smooth transition from alcohol dependence to an alcohol-free life. The medication works by sending a signal to the brain that it does not need alcohol leading to the gradual reduction in consumption.

How TSM Alcohol Treatment works

When you consume alcohol, the brain releases endorphins that bring the “feeling good” effect. As consumption increases, the brain associates pleasure with alcohol but medication breaks the connection and flushes out the effects of alcohol over time. With more drinking and taking of the medication comes the feeling that alcohol does not bring the sought after emotions of pleasure and this is the point of breakthrough of TSM treatment

Examples of TSM alcohol treatment medication include:

Naltrexone: it restricts the feel-good effect of alcohol, thus reducing the inclination towards drinking.

Disulfiram: it lowers the desire to consume alcohol by inducing unpleasant effects after drinking such as nausea, vomiting, and headaches making the person drinking hate the alcohol.

TSM works for people who are struggling with cravings but still have a functioning liver. Although the method does not offer an immediate solution to stop drinking tendencies, the motivation to drink less will eventually happen. 

Group support

Countering addiction can be a lonely journey. Many try to stop the addiction but relapse and give up when it seems insurmountable. However, it becomes easier when you learn and interact with those who are struggling with the same issue and are trying to beat it. Simple acts such as sharing selected intervention methods, the moments of relapse, the undertaken recovery methods and the anticipated life, instill hope.

Final Remarks: Be patient and You Will Stop Drinking!

Sometimes the pressure to stop drinking can be overwhelming. What you need to understand is that everyone’s journey is unique. You don’t need to feel embarrassed if you are taking a longer time than expected. The road to recovery is long and requires patience from both the community and the victim. Any form of pressure from others can become catastrophic and not therapeutic as intended. Find the right people to support you through the journey.

Addiction is a multifaceted issue with a myriad of causes that may be hard for one person to prevent. However, learning about, adopting holistic approaches, and learning to handle challenges instead of escaping them are the pathways to an alcohol-free lifestyle.