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Drinking alcohol is an activity many of us enjoy. However, many of us also have a problem with it. Across the world there are well over 100 million people that suffer with alcohol problems, with around 5% of all deaths being related to the substance.
We use alcohol for a number of reasons, largely to cope with the likes of stress and anxiety as well as in social situations. But if you believe you’re starting to rely on it too much and may be falling into the trap of addiction, then it could be time to give up.
Seeking addiction help is the best option for you to quit the booze and get back to a healthy lifestyle. However, there are also some top tips for planning out your cutting down and even deciding to get help in the first place. These include:
Consider the health effects
Have a think about how alcohol is affecting your own health and wellbeing. It’s all well and good understanding the impact alcohol can have on people. But how is it affecting you. Looking that little bit closer to home can often be a catalyst for receiving help. For example, are you suffering from:
- Disrupted sleep
- Memory issues
- Increased anxiety and depression
- Breakdown in relationships
- Digestive issues
If you’re noticing a correlation in the above and your consumption of alcohol, then there’s a clear sign that you may be suffering from addiction.
How much do you drink?
Undertake a bit of analysis when it comes to your drinking. Consider how much you drink and why. Create a diary of your consumption across the week and the circumstances into which you drink. You’ll be able to identify trigger points, which will help you figure out the root cause of the problem.
This can be incredibly helpful when it comes to treatment and recovery, as you’ll be able to remove yourself from such situations and avoid relapse.
Consider the best course of action for you
While rehab is the best option for those suffering with addiction, you may not feel like you have a major problem. Each person is different, so a different outcome from your research will also occur.
You may decide you don’t want to give up alcohol, but rather moderate your usage initially. That’s one alternative to sobriety, and a good way to do that is by creating a calendar on how much you can drink, setting limits on a weekly basis to try and stay on track.
That could be an option moving forward, or something you use as a stepping stone to treatment and full sobriety.
Talk to people
Getting help and talking with loved ones can be the most helpful thing. They will likely know that you are drinking too much, while also having a sound board and support network can help make the right choices for you.
Not only can they help in that decision making, but they will also offer support right through any process you take to cut down on alcohol or remove it completely from your life. It’ll help you stay on track, and can even change your life forever.
