Non Drinking Net Years Resolution
First time posting but my resolutions for this year is to stop drinking. I've been a daily drinker for years now but want to stop and focus on me. I feel like I'll be ok some of the time but when anything inu life goes wrong my response is alcoholic. Does anyone have any advice on how to proceed?
@SGold8556
Hello. Being a listener here I am not expected to give you any specific advice, but still I can share my experience of how my friends were recovering from the addiction and which points might be of special importance. As you said, a New Year's resolution can be a good way to start, but it means a lot of work is coming:
First, I think it is good to remember that addiction is the chemical dependency of your body to intoxication. So that could be good if you started to avoid everything that "smells alcohol": the people, the places, and those daily routines your mind associates with alcohol. Things like alcohol-based medicines or alcohol-filled sweets might also be not for you.
Another thing is you have already seemingly realized that you tend to use alcohol in situations where you cannot cope with something emotionally. It doesn't mean you have to avoid any emotional situations (because boredom and overthinking can bring you back to drinking in a minute, too). But it is good if you worked out some other way to handle with difficult situations than having a drink. This is a point where talking to a therapist or counsellor could be great.
There are various options for people who want to stop their addiction: Some of them start their personal therapy, some of them go to the rehab and/or detoxication therapy, some use a special medication, and some of them go to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings worldwide.
But very important thing is: nobody is doing it alone. As far as I know one of the most powerful weapons in the anti-addiction arsenal is... a telephone. Things like calling to a friend, sharing your struggles, emotions and doubts, or daily journaling can be very helpful.
Also, be prepared to stumble and fall. First attempts are completely successful not very often. But that is of crucial importance that when you fall, you stand up and fight again, and you realise what went wrong. Even when you fail, the healing process has already begun.
I hope I didn't make to much mess in your thoughts with that 😉 I keep my thumbs crossed for your efforts 👍
