Alcohol is a dangerous drug because it often triggers a lifetime of abuse that can be hard to manage. Therefore, you may have wondered, “How can I stop drinking?” more than once in your life and struggled to come up with an acceptable answer. Thankfully, that doesn’t have to be the case if you are willing to work hard and strive to achieve your sobriety. However, it would help if you were ready to commit to getting the treatment you may need, such as rehab, to recover fully.
Commit to Your Recovery When You Start Asking, “How Can I Stop Drinking?”
If you want to know, “How can I stop drinking?” and you’re looking to improve your chances of success, it is essential to commit to a free life of alcohol. This step is often the hardest for many to take. It requires more than merely saying that you have a problem and being willing to change. It would be best if you had the strength necessary to commit by:
- Throwing away all of your alcohol right away
- Stopping hanging out at bars or other areas where you can drink
- Creating a support group of people who understand your need for sobriety
- Cutting ties with people who may influence you to drink
- Attending meetings at AA or a similar type of group
- Finding alternatives for drinking activities
Each of these steps helps to increase your commitment to an alcohol-free lifestyle. Just as importantly, it also helps you learn how to avoid other types of behaviors that may lead to drinking. In this way, you can further enhance your chances of sobriety. However, what if you are faced with a drink unexpectedly and feel the urge? Then you need to know how to say no in a way that works.
How to Say No
If you want to know the best answer to the question, “How can I stop drinking?” learn how to say no to drinking situations. That may be easier said than done, but the power of the word “no” is universal and can be used to your benefit. Just a few ways you can turn down drinks include:
- Just say no – Politely refuse the drink without further explanation or fanfare
- Make excuses – Some people may pressure you to drink, so make up a reason why you cannot
- Be the designated driver – Ride along with friends and commit to always being the DD
- Tell the truth – Be as open and honest as feels right for your situation
- Avoid trigger situations – Learn what triggers your urge to drink and avoid these situations
These tips seem simple on their surface, but they can be hard to execute. For example, some people may persist in trying to get you to drink after you explained why you could not. As a result, you may relapse. Don’t beat yourself up if you do; this situation happens to most people who try to quit. However, if it keeps happening, rehab may be necessary.
How Can I Stop Drinking If These Steps Fail?
If you find that you cannot control your urge to drink, you need help from professionals who fully understand your situation. You might consider going to a high-quality rehab facility. Drug addiction treatment takes on many different forms and helps out people from all walks of life. By reaching out to professionals who fully grasp your position, you can get the intensive help needed to quit drinking.
However, you may ask, “How can I stop drinking with the help of rehab?” That’s a reasonable question. At drug rehab, you’ll get withdrawal help to decrease your pain. You’ll also learn how to cope with emotional problems and behavioral triggers that influence your drinking. You’ll also get help with relapses. This total level of care makes rehab a powerful sobriety tool.
Don’t Neglect Help
As you can see, the answer to this question, “How can I stop drinking?” is a complicated one. You may end up finding that methods that work for you don’t work for others. So please don’t hesitate to call 866.262.0531 to verify your insurance and to get started on your ultimate recovery. Our experts can help you in a myriad of ways.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
