What to do if you are an Alcoholic?

We grew up watching movies where an alcoholic is shown as a hopeless person who loses his money/wife/kids/home at the end of the story. Does that happen in real life? We are not sure about that! However, there is a problem with being an alcoholic. Since you have understood that you are addicted to alcohol, it is time to take the necessary steps to break free from the poison.

Nobody is asking you to NOT drink. Drinking occasionally is safe, but drinking every single day and passing out easily is not a good sign. In today’s world, we see high functional or functional alcoholics who are playing several roles outside their home, but they are actually washing down several bottles of whiskey and vodka.

You are taking the efforts to understand the problems associated with being an alcoholic. This is a good start! What to do if you are an alcoholic? If you ask an amateur, he/she would probably answer your question bluntly. They would tell you to leave alcohol, but that is not as easy as the world thinks.

Let us understand the real situation. Before skimming through the ways to get rid of alcohol, there is one thing you need to ask yourself.

Are you in denial mode?

You might be a star of the show outside! There are high functional alcoholics who drink a lot at home, but they showcase the perfect side in the outside world. They are an achiever and make tons of money. It is possible that the whole world appreciates their hard work and aura.

However, this person is getting back home and drinking way too many pegs! Just because this person is successful in life does not mean that alcoholism is not a problem. A person could be an achiever and depressed behind closed doors.

Alcoholism is lethal and it requires a fix! Here are some of the classic excuses that you make:

”Honey, I get so tired that I need a drink to end the day!”
”I swear this is the last time I am drinking.”
”My New Year resolution is to stop drinking. Okay, one last drink!”
”Drinking does not affect my work! I am still rich and popular.”

Dear high-functional alcoholic, our heart goes out to you. You need to quit making excuses! Being in denial mode will never help.

Let’s try to solve your problem. When you build a family with another person, they will have a problem with your too many drinks ritual.

The Visible Signs

If you are an alcoholic, you drink 4-5 drinks per day. It is possible that you are drinking 14-15 times in a week. This is a sign that you are an alcoholic! This needs to stop because people you love are not going to stick around. This is known as addiction and could lead to dangerous diseases, premature ageing and loss of concentration.

What are the other signs? Well, you would make excuses for drinking. You wash down several drinks to feel confident! There are people who drink and hop on stage for a performance. They say that it helps in bidding adieu to nervousness. To be honest, this is just an excuse and you need to find something else to calm your nerves.

If you are drinking early in the morning or need a drink to sleep peacefully, we are worried for you. Don’t hide the alcohol in your wardrobe because your soul knows that you are damaging your body. You pass out, abuse people, get too emotional, wake up in a stranger’s home every week and the hangover is unbearable.

All of these are signs that you are an alcoholic. Let us fix this!

How to become sober?

Now that your heart, mind and body knows the truth, it will be easier to convince you to read further.

Joining a support group – It will be helpful to join a support group. Find a support group online or near your neighborhood. There are other people who are in the same journey as you. When you are able to motivate each other to stop drinking alcohol, it becomes easier. Doing it alone is tough because you need constant support and motivation.

Medical help – Visit a psychiatrist and tell them about the inability to stop drinking. These psychiatrists are trained to deal with patients who have depression, alcoholism and anxiety. You can speak about it openly and they will give you proper medication. Therapy will be suggested to the alcoholics! You might even experience withdrawal symptoms.

Note – HOLD TIGHT! You can do this.

No More Alcohol In Your Home – Do not keep alcohol bottles in your home. When you see these bottles, you get tempted to drink! Once you discard all the bottles, there will be no excuse and you will simply get used to being sober. Isn’t that simpler? Additionally, you will save a lot of money.

Stay Busy – Once your office is over, get back home and watch your favorite show. Talk to a friend or cook a yummy meal. On weekends, you can go for cooking workshops or attend a seminar. Meet your friends or go on a date. Just stay busy and do things that you love! When you feel lonely, you tend to take too many drinks.

Keep Your Emotions Under Control – When you are depressed or facing anxiety, you tend to turn to drinks. The drinks will give you a high and you might even get emotional. The trouble is that alcohol cannot make the situation better. When you are in your senses, you are able to think through things and find solutions.

Finding a solution is more important than sitting down with a bottle of whiskey. There is no situation in this world that cannot be solved.

Try to stay positive and surround yourself with happy people. Happy people are the most productive to the society. Drink more water, eat good food and do not spend your hard-earned cash on an expensive wine bottle or whiskey. You could use the same money to save up and go on a holiday.

Learn to drift away from peer pressure. Also, depression is lethal and you must visit a therapist. Lastly, whatever is going on in your life, you will come out of it. Bad times do not last for the rest of your life.