Overcoming alcohol addiction can be a long, bumpy road that makes an individual feel powerless and aimless, and they may even feel it is impossible to live normally. But, it is not valid. People who have a solid determination to quit alcohol and those willing to get the support they need to overcome alcoholism can turn the tables around. No matter how heavy an individual drinks or how powerless they feel, they can make a change without even hitting rock bottom.

However, most people with alcohol addiction do not realize their drinking problem and find it challenging to transform their drinking habits overnight. Instead, they slide into denial. They fail to understand that addiction recovery is a gradual process. For example, even after admitting that an individual has a drinking problem and needs alcohol help, they may make excuses and drag themselves out of recovery. Also, denial is a massive obstacle in the early stages of drinking. Therefore, it is crucial to acknowledge whether a person is ready to change.

To understand how specific guidelines can help you win the battle against alcoholism, keep reading this article.

1. Compare Benefits Against Costs of Drinking

We understand how quitting alcohol is hard when someone doesn’t see anything wrong with it. Hence, alcohol users need to think of all the benefits they will procure after quitting alcohol and weigh them against the drawbacks of consuming it. In other words, if you are unsure about your decision, listing the costs and benefits of alcohol can help you.

A few advantages of drinking alcohol may look like this:
  • It is your way of relaxing and unwinding.
  • You are fun when you are drunk.
  • Consuming alcohol makes you forget your problems.
Once you are done with the advantages of drinking alcohol, list the ones for quitting alcohol. For example:
  • You will save more money and can invest.
  • You will not get into unnecessary fights or arguments with your family members and other people.
  • You will perform better in your job.
Making these lists will help people determine the reality and pick what is best for them. Nonetheless, when people have more reasons to quit alcohol, they stay motivated to stop drinking, even if they don’t like it.

2. Set Goals for Overcoming Addiction and Prepare for Change

When you decide to quit alcohol, it is time to make clear, specific, and realistic goals. Setting goals for alcohol addiction treatment can help understand what a person wants, make them believe in themselves, and hold them accountable for their failures. A few goals that you can set include:
  • I will drink water whenever I crave alcohol.
  • I will drink only once a month.
  • I will drink only on weekends from next month.
Also, it takes work to meet your goals. Tell your family and friends about your plans so that they can help you achieve them. Your loved ones can help you by reminding you of your goals whenever you feel distracted. Keeping all the sources of temptation away from your home or sight can also help curb the cravings.

3. Cutting Back Vs. Quitting Alcohol

The severity of your drinking problem decides whether a person can successfully cut back on their drinking habits or routine. Being an alcoholic, you may find it challenging to control yourself around drinks, and hence, you should try to stop drinking entirely for better health outcomes. But if you are still not ready to take that big step, you can try cutting back using the following tips:
  • Set drinking goal: Everything in moderation doesn't harm. Try choosing a limit for your drinking capabilities. For example, you should limit one drink a day being a woman and two drinks a day if you are a man. You can skip drinks entirely on some days of the week, which can significantly help reduce your cravings. If you forget things quickly, write your drinking goals down and tape them to your refrigerator or save a note on your phone.
  • Keep a record: Once you start practising or cutting back on alcohol usage, you will be surprised by your weekly drinking habits. To track how much or when you are drinking, keep a record in a diary, at least for the initial 3 to 4 weeks.
  • Do not drink at home: Compared to the workplace, it is much easier to limit alcohol consumption at home. If you do not keep temptations around, it becomes easy for you to maintain your drinking levels.
  • Drink Slowly: Whenever drinking, sip slowly and take a break of at least half an hour before picking up your next glass. Try drinking juice, soda, or water between alcoholic drinks. It will help you drink less, and because drinking empty stomach is never a good idea, it doesn't impact your health.

4. Get All the Support You Need

Addiction recovery is not an easy path to walk alone. Whether you are overcoming alcohol addiction through therapy, alcohol rehab, or self-directed alcohol addiction treatment, getting support is essential. Sharing your struggles in recovery with your loved ones, be it your family, friends, counsellors, healthcare providers, and other recovering alcoholics, will help you lean on them for encouragement, comfort, and guidance.
  • Create a sober social network: If your previous relationships or work revolved around alcohol, it is time to make new connections. Having sober friends or work circles around will support your recovery. For example, you can join a church, or civic group, take a hobby class, volunteer or attend events in your community that will help you build a social network.
  • Make meetings a priority: Joining a support group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and attending the meetings regularly with people in recovery will help you heal. You will also benefit from the shared experiences of the group members and learn new techniques or coping skills to stay sober.

5. Build a New Meaningful Life

Getting help or support from your loved ones is only the beginning of addiction recovery. In order to achieve sobriety, you need to build a new life where alcohol is entirely prohibited. A few steps that can help you start a new positive life are:
  • Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle: Eating the right food, getting enough sleep, and exercising are enough to live a happy life. Embracing this healthy lifestyle will also help your body recover and develop strong immunity against alcohol abuse.
  • Develop New Life Goals and Work to Achieve Them: Spend more time doing whatever you have put behind for years. Go on a vacation, join a gym, start a family, get financial freedom and fulfil your dreams and aspirations. Focus on building new lifestyle goals and work hard to achieve them.
  • Build New Social Connections: Leave your old connections behind and join groups that help you abstain from alcohol use. The new links with recovering alcoholics will help avoid relapse and improve faster.

Overcoming Alcoholism is Possible

Alcohol addiction or alcohol abuse affects more than an individual. It affects a person's family, work, relationships, and financial status too. Also, watching a family member struggle with a drinking problem is heart-breaking; hence, your love and support are essential for them to recover. You can take certain steps to help a loved one recover or help win the battle against alcoholism are:
  • Learn all you can about alcohol addiction treatment.
  • Talk to the addicts about their drinking problems.
  • Take action
  • Don’t make excuses for your loved one's behaviour.
  • Don’t blame yourself.
You can also contact the nearest alcohol rehab to help your loved one recover.