Drinking too much alcohol can affect our daily life, relationships, and at working place. Occasional drinking is acceptable, but excessive drinking can lead to alcohol use disorder. Recovery is a gradual process, and overcoming this addiction can be a long road; at times, it may even feel impossible. But it’s not. Fortunately, there are effective ways to help to overcome alcohol addiction. Most alcoholism prevention programs focus on facilitating honest communication and helping avoid risk factors for alcohol issues.
Alcohol use disorder is complicated and can cause changes in the brain that can make healthy choices feel next to impossible. Through this article, an individual knows about how alcohol dependence happens and how they can prevent it.
Chronic alcoholism can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. Several factors increase your risk of developing alcohol dependence. Let’s know what the addictive behaviors are around alcohol. Early behavioral signs of alcohol dependence may include:
Drinking more alcohol than planned
Social activities that increasingly revolve around alcohol
Using alcohol to relieve stress
Drinking more and more habitually
Noticing it’s harder to recover from a night of drinking
A person who is already addicted to alcohol will often also:
Continue to drink despite harm to the relationship and career
Frequently seek out alcohol
Feel anxious or stressed when sober
Unable to stop alcohol once they begin
Feel alcohol withdrawal if they stop drinking
Based on the medical evidence, there are several actions available for preventive care for alcohol abuse before it gets any worse. These may involve changing bad habits, reducing stress levels, identifying drinking triggers, and caring for your mental health.
Breaking Bad Habits
Habits come in different forms; some develop to help the brain save energy, which is the day-to-day routines we learn to do automatically. Another habit is alcohol use that is influenced by the effects of dopamine on the reward center. Follow the provided steps that can help you kick a bad habit.
Set measurable goals (Decide on a drinking target)
Know what drives the habit (Stress, people, or place)
Look for a healthy alternative
Encourage yourself
Keep a journal
Reduce Stress
We have to say short-term stress is a normal response that helps us overcome challenging situations. On the other hand, chronic stress is completely related to physical and emotional health, which is why many people turn to alcohol to relieve these unpleasant feelings. People think that alcohol is the only solution, but once it is gone, the stress often remains. Finding healthy ways to deal with stress can reduce the need for alcohol. Let’s know some good alternatives.
Exercise: Physical activity helps boost endorphins, which help to relieve pain naturally. Adding exercise to your daily routine can have many health benefits, including decreasing stress levels.
Meditation: There are several forms of meditation, but they all share a common goal: staying present in the moment. This has decreased stress, slow breathing, and heart rate. On the other hand, many studies reported that mindfulness meditation can improve emotional regulation and impulse control.
Practice Self-care: It is impossible to take a break in our lives due to our busy schedules. If you have been working nonstop, take a timeout and have dinner with a friend, read a book, and watch a movie.
Recognize and Avoid Triggers
Our brain learn to associate certain people and places, which can become triggers for alcohol consumption. Take some time to reflect on what your own unique triggers may be. Once you identify these triggers, start making small changes. You don’t have to avoid everything connected to alcohol, but look for adjustments you can make.
If you or your loved one has a drinking problem or alcohol addiction, multiple treatment options are available to help. Treatment depends on your personal needs and the levels of your addiction. Consult a health care professional to provide the right treatment program according to your needs because the main goal of the treatment is to stop drinking and improve your quality of life. Available treatment options may include:
Detox and Withdrawal
The treatment begins with detox. Generally, medical detoxification takes 2-7 days. You must need sedation to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Psychological Counselling
Personal or group therapies can help you better understand your alcohol issues. After that, you can spend the healing process more comfortably.
Oral Medications
There are multiple effective medicines to treat alcohol addiction. It shows the result if you do not drink alcohol with this medication. The medicine Naltrexone blocks the good feelings of alcohol and also prevents you from drinking too much. Acamprosate suppresses your urge to drink alcohol when you stop drinking.
Dual-diagnosis Treatment
A treatment program that treats any co-occurring condition alongside alcohol use disorder is better known as dual diagnosis treatment.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT is a short-term therapy technique that explores the link between thought patterns and addiction.
Throughout the entire article, we have concluded that preventing alcohol addiction begins with self-control, awareness, and a healthy lifestyle. By recognizing the personal risk factors, setting clear limits on drinking, and managing stress naturally, you can reduce the development of dependence. In prevention, mental health care, strong social support, and early action play a vital role. A small and consistent step today can prevent serious problems tomorrow and support an alcohol-free life.
References:
https://ext-6920893.livejournal.com/3651.html?newpost=1