Not everyone knows how to stop drinking. For some, it’s a piece of cake. They just...stop. And that’s all there is to it. Unfortunately, this strategy rarely works for alcoholics. Alcohol is a powerful drug that has devastating effects on the body and mind. People with serious drinking problems should rarely simply try to stop cold turkey without support and supervision. Doing so can be dangerous, even fatal.
So then how is an alcoholic to stop drinking? We recommend at least three things: support, preparation, and medical supervision.
Quitting alcohol is a unique challenge in the world of substance abuse. Unlike heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine, alcohol is sold in bars and corner stores almost everywhere. People imbibe openly, with consumption encouraged, almost expected, on a regular basis.
Because of this, alcoholics frequently need a significant amount of support when quitting drinking. Support can come from any number of people:
The alcoholic’s support circle should include people who are physically nearby. Therefore, the alcoholic will have someone to talk to face-to-face at a moment’s notice. So, if a craving strikes, they can reach out to a support person instead of a bottle.
Quitting alcohol requires a lot of preparation. The person who’s quitting will need to arrange their life so as to maximize their chance of success. They’ll need to be busy, so as not to dwell on the absence of alcohol. Also, they’ll need to plan to avoid any places or people that could act as relapse triggers in the near future. Finally, they’ll need to make sure their home and workplace are as free from alcohol as is possible in the circumstances.
For serious and long term alcoholics, quitting alcohol requires medical supervision. The reason for this is simple. Alcohol withdrawal can be physically dangerous, and even fatal, in some circumstances. Therefore, alcoholics would be well advised to inform their physician of what they plan to do and seek out medical resources to assist them in their quest to become sober.
Both inpatient and outpatient programs are available in many locations around the United States. Inpatient programs are better suited for serious cases of alcohol abuse, as they usually include detoxification facilities.
Many alcoholics are surprised to discover that they don’t know how to stop drinking. The habit can come on so slowly, over so many years, that they come to think of their alcohol consumption as normal or common. When they are unable to stop, they feel trapped.
We at the San Antonio Recovery Center are of the view that, in order to properly treat alcoholism, the whole person must be addressed: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This is why SARC offers a whole range of affordable rehabilitation and treatment programs for alcoholics.
If you or someone you love is struggling with their drinking, call us at 866.514.0275. We have the expertise and professional staff you need to get better.
contact us now!
