How To Stop Drinking Alcohol Safely

Alcohol consumption has an expanding prevalence in our society today and is widely used in socializing, but few people realize just how powerful this substance is, and when abused it can lead to detrimental consequences.

To just quit drinking sounds easy enough, and many people can stop immediately, the result having little or no effect on their body or mind, but primarily, these are only in mild and moderate cases as their consumption of alcohol may only be minimal and not considered as being excessive.

However, after prolonged use of alcohol and consuming large amounts, someone may develop a tolerance, which can lead to addiction, and this is when the problem of heavy alcohol drinking becomes an issue and needs treatment.

Could I Stop Drinking Alcohol At Home?

Quitting or cutting back on drinking alcohol can be easy for some and hard for others, depending on many factors, but primarily, it becomes a daunting task when someone has a dependency on it and has become addicted.

To get to this stage, alcohol use will have been over a considerable time and consuming excessive amounts. However, in mild to moderate cases, it is possible to stop and regain control of drinking habits, which many people do at home in their own time.

Firstly, it is important to remember that everyone is unique, and their experiences and progress can vary as there is no one-size-fits-all definition when it comes to giving up alcohol, and several factors should be taken into account, including age, gender, and overall health.

For those who consider their drinking habits have become somewhat out of hand and want to take back control, it may just be as simple as refraining from having a drink and carrying on regardless.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and it can present a difficult challenge when attempting to quit like other substance habits. Similar to stopping smoking, many people decide to go cold turkey and put up with the cravings until they are back in control and have no further issues.

This approach is taken as a short-term relief, and as the problem may not present health issues, there is little or no importance as to whether or not it works.

You will find most people adopt this procedure after a short spell of drinking more than they are accustomed to, such as over the Christmas period, weddings, or other social gatherings who recognize they have drunk too much and need to cut back but can still enjoy a drink and are in full control.

Those who find the task more difficult could have developed some tolerance or dependency on the substance, sometimes without realizing it, so when they decide to quit, their withdrawal symptoms are more intense and the cravings to consume alcohol push them back further, heightening their desire to consume even more alcohol. In this scenario, trying to go cold turkey may not suffice, and more help is needed.

Family and friends can play a huge role when trying to stop drinking as they will only have your well-being in mind and can give you great support and encouragement when needed; there are support groups and counseling services that you may consider, and incorporating other activities into your daily life may all prove positive in assisting with quitting alcohol.

However, when you decide to control your alcohol intake, you should always ensure the techniques you use are safe and have the right support for your needs, but if your alcohol withdrawal symptoms become intense after suddenly stopping drinking or causing great discomfort or pain, you should seek medical assistance immediately.

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms

If you are a heavy drinker or have an alcohol addiction, when your drinking suddenly stops, symptoms of alcohol withdrawal appear, which can be quite severe and need to be addressed by medical specialists.

Severe symptoms can cause insomnia, seizures, hallucinations, delirium tremens, and other unpleasant sensations and, if left untreated, can lead to increased health issues both physically and mentally.

You may want to be reminded that only in very mild to moderate cases of alcoholism trying to quit alone may be possible, but only when there is no potential health risk of severe withdrawal symptoms, which will need the intervention of alcohol detox and special addiction treatment.

Anyone contemplating quitting alcohol alone when they have reached the stage of alcohol use disorder is putting themselves at harmful risk to their health and has more chance of relapse.

Instead, it is advisable to seek the correct professional help to advise and guide you on the best approach to stop drinking safely.

Quit Alcohol Safely With Medical Detox

The only safe way to become alcohol-free and quit the habit after being an excessive, heavy drinker is to go through a detox alcohol program to thoroughly rid the body of all traces of the substance and where medical supervision is at hand to address and intervene with any complicated withdrawal symptoms. 

It may seem a drastic measure, but addressing alcohol addiction is the only process that can offer the chance of recovery and being able to take back control.

After a successful medically supported detox, specific treatment programs are designed to continue with the process. Ultimately, the final stages involve ongoing therapy, aftercare, and support, which may continue for some considerable time, depending on how each individual responds.

Resilient Recovery is a luxury rehab facility located in Lancaster, Los Angeles, and we know only too well the difficulties of quitting alcohol consumption and the challenges faced to defeat the addiction.

With this in mind, our expert team offers a fully medically supported detox program, and after a personal assessment, they design a treatment that incorporates your individual needs and requirements for you to progress and achieve a positive outcome.

If you have failed to quit or find the process too challenging, why don’t you give us a call? Our friendly staff will talk you through all the “whys” and “what for” and will extend their expertise and knowledge so you know there are other options and may help you find the appropriate way to quit drinking. 

We know alcohol abuse is hard to stop but you shouldn’t have to struggle alone; we care about your well-being and are here to assist.