The abstinence stage typically begins right after you stop drinking. If you’re ready to make a positive change, here’s what you may want to know about the recovery process. Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss…from exercises to build a stronger core to advice on treating cataracts. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. Be prepared to deal with things that trigger your cravings, such as being in an environment where others are using.
A boy I played basketball with had a drug-induced heart attack in Mexico. I stopped drinking three months ago under the illusion that it would be as simple as buying leggings with the offer code sobergalclub. But I have not yet enjoyed better sleep or higher productivity. I do not look back at my years of drug and alcohol use “with zero regrets”, as one influencer who had been 30 days sober mused.
Quitting Cold Turkey
Remote alcohol monitoring devices can be used to detect when the person has consumed alcohol. This helps provide accountability for those who are struggling with sobriety and gives them a way to document their sobriety. The most robust systems like Soberlink have sophisticated reporting that can easily alert a friend or loved one of a possible relapse. It can be very motivating when your family, your friend, your counselor and/or your sponsor, will know immediately if you have something to drink or doing great without having to ask.
Are you trying to drink less or stop drinking completely? You doctor also can refer you to a treatment center or experts who can help. An important first step is to learn more about alcohol use disorder and your treatment options. Prepare yourself for those times when someone is going to offer you a drink. You might also hold onto a nonalcoholic drink instead, ask a friend to support you in difficult situations or simply exit early if temptation gets too strong, the NIAAA suggests. Whatever your reason to quit drinking, know that you’re doing yourself a favor.
Apply a hot or cold compress
A catch-all term for supervised programs designed to help you quit, rehab comes in many forms. Inpatient rehab can mean checking into a residential treatment facility for a period of https://ecosoberhouse.com/article/the-hidden-effects-of-binge-drinkin/ time. Outpatient rehab often means visiting a nearby center on a regular basis while continuing with your daily life. These programs can be helpful, but they can also be expensive.
- Exploring, in writing, what you find difficult and when you most want to drink can help you notice patterns that offer more insight into your alcohol use.
- It’s often a reality that grows more concerning with every downed glass.
- Your liver can start to heal, your risks of heart disease and cancer go down, and you may begin to sleep better.
- Within just a month of not drinking, your body can begin to reap the benefits.
Overcoming an addiction to alcohol can be a long and bumpy road. If you’re ready to stop drinking and willing to get the support you need, you can recover from alcoholism and alcohol abuse—no matter how heavy your drinking or how powerless you feel. And you don’t have to wait until you hit rock bottom; you can make a change at any time. Whether you want to quit drinking altogether or cut down to healthier levels, these guidelines can help you get started on the road to recovery today. If you’re living with alcohol use disorder, quitting drinking is important for your health. But quitting on your own can pose risks to your health and is unlikely to be successful.
Helping Someone with a Drug Addiction
Take the assessment and get matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours. She enjoys interviewing medical experts and researchers about their work and is passionate about communicating how to overcome alcoholism accurate and relevant health information to the public. If you tend to drink too much whenever there is any alcohol in the house, get rid of it altogether, the NIAAA recommends.
For example, going in to a bar is likely a really bad idea during early alcohol recovery, so bars and liquor stores are to be avoided. If you find it difficult to make new, sober friends, try joining a support group. Depending on what your alcohol habit was like, you may experience fewer or more withdrawal symptoms as you cut back. Fortunately, these withdrawal symptoms shouldn’t last very long — about a week — but listen to your body in case something feels abnormal during this time.