The Process of Quitting Drinking Alcohol

If you or someone you know is in any stage of alcohol withdrawal, call 911 or seek immediate medical assistance right away.

We are not here to try and convince anyone to stop drinking, only make people aware of some of the facts and offer help and information to those who do want to stop drinking.

If you or someone you know is thinking about or trying to stop drinking, then there is a good chance you or they have a problem. The fact that you're reading this information is an indication there might be a drinking problem present.

When someone is considering stopping or quitting drinking, they usually go through all of some of the following stages

To stop drinking is a process of stages of denial and justification. Quitting drinking alcohol is good when drinking daily and suffering consequences.

As we other personal problems, the degree and severity of the problem is not really seen it its proper perspective. The human mind is blinded by its own actions and the activity of drinking alcohol is no exception. People will tend to say things like "I drank just a couple of drinks" or "only a few beers" when the truth is they drank far more than they realize or are willing to admit.

Justification

Most heavy drinkers have a long list of excuses or reasons why they drink as much and as often as they do. They say things like, they deserve it after working hard all week or completing some task. Or they nay say it helps relax them or it helps them unwind. This is also known as rationalization. Rationalizing their behavior helps them to stay in what is called "denial".

Examination

As the evidence begins to pile up, the person often begins to exam their behavior. This may be at the urging of a family member or friend. This stage is the beginning of them realizing they have a drinking problem.

Although it may seem illogical, when someone stops drinking for some length of time, say a month, it is actually a sign they have a drinking alcohol problem. They argue that by their ability to stop drinking, they have proven they don't have a problem. Actually, the fact that they have to or need to stop drinking and monitor it and measure the time is an indication drinking has become an issue.

Contemplation

Gradually, as a person begins to see what their drinking is doing to them, they see how it is affecting them. In this stage, they are no longer blind to how much they drink. They start asking themselves questions and thinking about their drinking. It is often during this stage they will first consider stopping or quitting drinking.

Two important questions about stopping drinking

Do they drink alcohol daily - regularly?

Daily or almost every day drinking is a strong sign of a drinking problem.

Have they suffered any consequences as a result of their drinking alcohol?

Suffering some negative consequences, such as the loss of a job, a DUI, martial conflict about alcohol or some physical symptoms are very good indications alcohol has become a major issue.

In any case, if someone wants to stop drinking, for whatever reason, it is probably a good idea. Alcoholism is a progressive disease. Meaning over time the human body loses its tolerance for dealing with alcohol. They say everyone would become an alcoholic eventually, if they live long enough and/or drink enough.

Here are some things to keep in mind

1. As soon as someone who drinking regularly does stop, their body starts to go into what is know as alcohol withdrawal. Withdrawal from alcohol can have a profound impact on a person's physical and psychological well-being. Anyone who drinks alcohol needs to understand the signs and symptoms of withdrawal from alcohol.
   


2. If you or someone you know drinks more than they intend to when they start drinking, there may be a drinking problem. To stop drinking, most heavy drinkers need some kind of help to safely stop drinking.
   


3. Going to some level of alcohol rehab would be a very smart idea.
   


4. Drinking is probably costing you more than you realize in terms of your job, health, time, money and relationships.
   


5. Millions of Americans have stopped drinking and are having more fun than they did when they drank.
   


6. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
   


7. There are such things known as "interventions". Interventions are a good way to get someone with a drinking problem into rehab.
   


8. If you have ever drank and driven a car, you might not be so lucky next time and lose your license or hurt someone.
   


9. Living without alcohol is actually OK.
   


10. If you have tried unsuccessfully to stop drinking, that is a clear indication to ask for some help.