Alcoholics promise to stop drinking almost every day. Unfortunately, most relatives believe that it is impossible to cope with the disease on your own. So, how to stop drinking alcohol on your own at home and is it really possible to do so?
Psychology of an Alcoholic: What Stops You From Quitting Drinking?
Without psychological support it is quite difficult to stop drinking alone, not only because of the strong chemical link, but also because of a certain way of thinking about the alcoholic. The following psychological aspects prevent the drinker from coping with addiction:
- inability to express love. Under the influence of alcohol, a person who drinks has a feeling of lightness in his soul of him, as he begins to love not only those around him, but also himself. Self-respect awakens and the criticality disappears. After the effect of alcohol wears off, negative emotions, guilt and pity return, which do not disappear until a new dose is taken;
- saturation with negative emotions. Mental pain is the most frequent companion of an alcoholic. Sometimes, this state can only be stifled with the help of alcohol. Also, the more an alcoholic drinks, the more painful the attacks of mental pain and the more alcohol is needed to suppress it;
- presence of complexes. In this case, we are talking about complexes that are formed over the course of life, for example, when parents inspire a child who will not be successful or who is worse than other children. Alcohol allows you to "let go" of complexes for a while, a person begins to feel strong, beautiful, successful;
- lack of ability to cope with difficulties. If throughout his life decisions have been constantly made for a person, when he finds himself in a difficult situation, he is in an environment for which he is not completely ready. In addition, people often get drunk who, on the contrary, have been entrusted with too many responsibilities.
Is it possible to stop drinking at home?
According to the famous phrase - nothing is impossible in the world! It is possible to stop drinking at home, but according to statistics provided by psychotherapists, only 2-5% of alcoholics succeed. What to do to be among these "lucky ones" who have been able to change their lives?
First, you can only stop if you have the support of family and friends. At the same time, it should be understood that any pressure on the alcoholic as she is trying to recover can cause the whole process to reverse.
Secondly, it is extremely important to change the environment. Drinking buddies are unlikely to be called best friends. These are just familiar people who, by the will of fate, ended up with an addict in the same boat, but no more.
The duration of the binge is another criterion that allows you to answer the question. If the binge has lasted up to 1-1. 5 weeks, it is possible to cope with the problem on your own, however, with longer slumps in the initial stages of recovery, you cannot do without the help of a psychotherapist.
General tactics for avoiding alcohol
Giving up alcohol requires a complete overhaul of lifestyle and thinking. In order for this period to pass as comfortably as possible and without complications, experts recommend adhering to special tactics. The main activities in this include:
- recognition of the disease. There is no need to deny the problem, for this you can go to the mirror and honestly admit to yourself that you have a disease. This is an important condition for not drinking;
- acquire the ability to control the sensation of drinking. When an unbearable craving seems to take a dose of alcohol, you can start saying the following sentence out loud: "I will not drink anymore". In addition, the substitution method is very effective, for example, you can replace drinking with running or reading: as soon as you feel like drinking, get an interesting book or go for a run;
- start taking contrast showers. This procedure can be repeated 2-3 times a day. Thus, you will strengthen the vascular system and reduce the desire to drink;
- drink plenty of fluids and avoid spicy foods. It is important to drink at least 10 glasses of pure water a day;
- avoid old companies. This rule applies not only to businesses, but also to places where you spend time. It is better to change course and try not to pass by the bars.
Having learned to bypass the premises for drinking and the craving for alcohol weakens, you can proceed to the general restoration of the body. To do this, you can undergo a full exam, take multivitamins or join a gym. Remember that the atmosphere around you should be positive - walk more, watch comedies, and visit cultural venues.
Folk remedies that cause alcohol aversion
Treatment with folk remedies is not a panacea. Before using this or that recipe, you should consult with a specialist. In addition, in no case should the dosage be exceeded, as numerous folk remedies for alcoholism are prepared on the basis of poisonous plants.
Decoction and puppeteer's hoof
For a decoction, you need to take the roots of the puppeteer and the hoof. The chopped raw materials are mixed and a teaspoon (no more) of the roots is taken, which are poured with a glass of boiling water. The drug should be infused for an hour, after which it must be filtered. To cause persistent disgust in an alcoholic, 10-15 drops of tea are needed per bottle of vodka. The product itself must be stored in a dark and cool place. After the addict has drunk the vodka with the infusion, he will experience severe vomiting, general weakness and dizziness. After a while, the patient will develop an aversion to alcohol and be able to not drink alcohol at all.
Decoction of St. John's wort
To prepare a decoction, 4 tablespoons of herbs are poured into ½ liter of boiling water. After that, the broth is placed in a water bath and heated for about 20-30 minutes. When the broth has cooled slightly, it should be filtered and removed in a cold place. It is necessary to drink the remedy according to a strict scheme - 2 times a day before meals for a month. Usually the drug is passed off as a liver remedy or another drug. After a month of taking the alcoholic, a feeling of alcohol intolerance will actually develop.
Mushroom dung beetles from alcoholism
To do this, dung mushrooms are collected, thoroughly washed and fried. They can be mixed with potatoes or added to any other dish and served to an alcoholic. The substances contained in mushrooms interact with alcohol, while the consequences for the body manifest themselves in the form of poisoning. You can use mushrooms for treatment until the alcoholic stops drinking. With this tool, you can stop drinking at home in 1-1. 5 months.
Raspberry insects
Our grandmothers also used this tool. To provoke a persistent aversion to alcohol, you need to catch two raspberry bugs (small gray bugs with an unpleasant smell). After that, the insects are crushed and thrown into a bottle of vodka, after which the container is removed for 2-3 days in a dark and warm place. After the time has elapsed, the alcohol is filtered and taken to its usual place. A few glasses of this tincture will not cause the most pleasant sensations in an alcoholic.
lovage root
Root infusion is prepared as follows: 3 tablespoons of raw materials are poured into a glass of vodka and cleaned in a dark place for 2 weeks. During the infusion period, it is important to shake the mixture once a day. After two weeks the product is filtered and divided into two parts. The first portion is given to the alcoholic on the first day and the second the next day. The root causes severe poisoning, stomach pain and diarrhea, against which an aversion to alcohol develops.
Drug treatment of alcohol addiction
Treatment of alcoholism is carried out both by psychotherapeutic methods, which allow to find out the causes of addiction, and with drugs. The following are the most effective drugs that reduce the craving for alcohol:
- A cyanamide-based drug that reduces the craving for alcohol, tasteless and odorless, thanks to which it can be easily added to any drink or product. The course of treatment is approximately 14 days, and the first changes will be noticeable after the first dose;
- A homeopathic remedy (antibodies to the brain-specific S-100 protein) that reduces the craving for alcohol and has virtually no side effects. However, to achieve the result, it requires a fairly long treatment. This is the best remedy if there is no willpower;
- An inhibitor of the enzyme acetaldehyde dehydrogenase is a tablet that slows the breakdown process of alcohol, due to which the toxic components of alcohol are carried through the bloodstream throughout the body and cause severe poisoning. At the same time, the alcoholic will be tormented by headaches, fever, diarrhea, aching joints, etc.
Any drug that suppresses the desire to drink should only be prescribed by a doctor.
Coding techniques
Coding is another way to treat alcoholism. Removal of alcohol addiction can take place in the following ways:
- hypnotic effect. The essence of this method lies in a rather powerful psychological and hypnotic effect on the psyche and thinking of an alcoholic;
- pharmacological therapy. This method works in two directions at the same time. The influence is exerted not only on the patient's psyche, but also on the general condition of the body through special preparations.
In addition, there are many alternative methods that affect a person's perception of alcohol and allow a man or woman not to drink alcohol at all.
Literature to help you quit drinking
The role of literature in the treatment of alcoholism is difficult to overestimate. The right books are the easiest way to start getting rid of alcoholism. In addition, they allow a person to look at the problem from a different angle and provide the opportunity to give up alcohol on their own.
There is a lot of good literature on this subject on the Internet.
How to organize your time after quitting drinking?
The emptiness that forms in an alcoholic's soul after he refuses alcohol can make him drink again. In order for this not to happen, you need to properly organize your free time. The most effective ways in this situation are:
- sports. You can start going to the gym, swimming pool or yoga class;
- communicate with people who are in a similar situation. Alcoholics Anonymous clubs are available in almost every city, otherwise these people can be found on the Internet in specialized forums;
- self-education. For self-fulfillment and self-esteem, you can go to college and learn a profession that you really enjoy. Also, giving up alcohol is the best time to make your wishes come true. If you've ever dreamed of mastering music notation, now is the time to do it.
It is important to understand that you can finally stop drinking only after a change in lifestyle and worldview. In other words, you have to become a new person. In order not to think about what to do when you stop drinking, it is better to think ahead of an action plan.
Conclusion and Conclusion
Treatment of alcoholism is a long and complex process in which all relatives and friends of the patient must participate. It is important to give the patient the right attitude and to choose truly effective methods. Also, don't forget professional psychotherapeutic assistance. A therapist will tell you how to stop drinking alcohol on your own at home.