Quitting drinking is a life changing decision for some people, especially those who are struggling with addiction and alcohol abuse. For them, it can be a lifelong struggle that requires the assistance of doctors, therapists and the support of their loved ones. While it is true that the process of quitting drinking alcohol is a personal journey, there are common-sense and universally accepted things that a person should or should not do once they decide to quit drinking alcohol.
Below are ten common dos and don’ts:
1. DO remember that you are not alone in this process. There are people whose journey might be similar to yours, and many of them have documented and shared their experiences. You can find a lot of this information online if you search thoroughly, and you will find a journey that you can identify with. Learn from their lessons and apply these to your own struggle.
2. DO recall the damage that alcohol abuse has brought to your life. This is not about dwelling on your mistakes or staying in your past. This is about finding your strength and motivation in the desire that you don’t want to go through the same heartaches again.
3. DO eat a healthy diet. Your body needs the strength and the energy to go through the recovery process. Eat well! You don’t need a visit to a nutritionist, unless you have metabolic issues. It is common sense to cut down on fats, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and minimize the fast food and junk food. Eating healthy not only will give you the necessary energy for your body, but also helps you avoid the depression that often goes with recovering from alcohol.
4. DO exercise regularly. Physical activities are part of effective recovery programs in therapeutic centers, but even if you are trying to quit alcohol at home, exercise is a necessity. (i) Include some aerobic exercises and weight training into your routine. The body will release hormones that can fight against anxiety and stress. If you have access to the great outdoors, do some walking or biking.
5. DO drink plenty of water every day. And we mean water, not coffee, soda, or tea. Do not wait until your body feels thirsty because it might trigger a need for alcohol. Replenish your body fluids before you feel the thirst.
6. DO analyze your sugar intake in relation to your drinking. There are cases when sugar addiction leads to alcoholism as the body gets the sugar from the alcohol. If this is the case, then consult your doctor regarding your sugar addiction.
7. DON’T stock alcohol at home or in your work place. Temptations are harder when the object is at close hand, so remove them. Remember that movie “When A Man Loves a Woman”? The character of Meg Ryan was able to drink because she hid some bottles. You don’t want that. So, remove the temptation. As they say, “out of sight, out of mind”. It’s the same with dieting, get rid of all the temptation foods.
8. DON’T skip meals. Eating healthy meals regularly provides your body with the necessary nutrients to help in your recovery. It is also observed that when the stomach is full, there is less desire to drink alcohol.
9. DON’T think that you are powerless over alcohol. Yes, there was a time that alcohol controlled your life, but not anymore. You have power to decide what enters your body and what doesn’t.
10. DON’T think that one mistake will ruin your chances. Try again. If you fall back, return to your original motivation and start counting the days again. Take all your knock backs as learning experiences. They will help you in the long run. Your errors are the doorways through which you will find success.
Quitting drinking is a decision that is intensely personal and it affects all aspects of your life – your diet, your activities, your relationships, and your work. It is a journey that only you can undertake, but there is learning and insights to be gained from those who have tried and were successful. You will also learn much from other peoples failures.
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i. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3216644