10 Reasons to Stop Drinking Alcohol Today

Published on: 13 May 2018 Last Updated on: 03 September 2024
Stop drinking problem sign. Prevention and cure alcohol addiction problem concept.

With alcoholism becoming more and more present in our society, the chances that you or someone you know struggles with alcoholism is increasing rapidly.

The good news is nowadays the stigma of having an alcohol problem is almost gone, and there are more resources than ever to help overcome.

If you or the person who is struggling is still on the fence about whether or not the alcohol is a real problem, we’ve compiled a list of reasons to stop drinking once and for all.

Quitting drinking can be tough, but the benefits and quality of life change that quitting can bring is more than worth it.

Let’s talk about that.

Quitting Drinking and You

Society seems to be overrun with drinking; in fact, it seems like the only way we know how to socialize. Modern society is a mess of people hiding their insecurities and fears thought of unhealthy outlets or masks.

More often than not, that mask consists of a few drinks.

Have you ever heard someone say they feel “more like themselves” when they’re drinking? That is the sort of thing we are talking about here.

The great thing is, once you’ve stopped drinking, you start to regain a sense of self. You gain confidence that you may not have even known that you had because you would just drink your problems away instead of working on them.

Even in a superficial sense, quitting drinking makes your skin clear up, you lose weight, you gain more energy. You even have time for more hobbies.

Also, do you realize how much money you save when you quit drinking? Drinking is so expensive, now that you aren’t spending all your money on 15 dollar drinks, you can actually save up for big life things.

Speaking of big life things, your sex and love life can improve significantly

Reasons to Stop Drinking for Others

When you are in a relationship, there can be a lot of stress caused by a drinking problem. Even if you are single, it is likely that your family members are affected.

When you quit drinking, you can take accountability for your actions.

As unpleasant as that may sound, taking accountability actually helps you pave a new road into healthy, honest relationships. Quitting drinking can actually help you develop a greater sense of self-awareness that you didn’t even know you had.

Once you develop greater self-awareness, you can help others find themselves as well. You can become an empathetic, kind person.

If you are in a relationship that is stressed under the strain of a drinking problem, a big reason to stop drinking would be to stop hurting the person you are choosing to spend your life with.

Although it may seem like you are only hurting yourself, the people who love and care about you also suffer when you struggle with drinking.

When you stop drinking, they can feel at ease knowing that you are safe and no longer hurting yourself.

Support Systems for Quitting Drinking

When you stop drinking, you may suddenly realize that you have less in common with the people you used to hang out with, especially if all they do is drink.

The good news is, in quitting drinking, you can discover a whole new group of friends who also don’t drink.

Those people tend to be better listeners, less selfish, and more empathetic to the struggles of someone who is trying to stay sober.

Now just because you got sober doesn’t mean life suddenly gets easy. You may find that you are struggling with getting your life back on track sober. The most important thing is that you stick to your guns and don’t drink, no matter what.

If you find that you are having a hard time, it may be beneficial to set up a system to hold yourself accountable.

You can set up a person to check in with every day, or as needed if you’re scared you may drink.

You can also set up a testing system with a buddy. As silly as it may sound, it can really help you walk the line when you are feeling particularly likely to drink. Remember, when you feel you may drink, you have to have bumpers set up in the way between you and the booze.

If you want to get home alcohol tests or learn more about how they work, you can check it out here.

No matter what happens in life, you don’t have to drink. The key is to make sure you have a good network that can double as a safety net when needed.

Life After Quitting

Once you get past the initial difficulty of quitting drinking, life gets brighter and better than it ever could have been before.

There are countless reasons to stop drinking, but it’s important to find the reasons that work for you. Make sure you are ready to commit, and that you have your reasons at the forefront of your mind- you’ll need them when you get tempted to drink.

It’s important to use your newfound free time and extra cash responsibly. You worked really hard to get to the place you are at in life, you deserve to treat yourself. Pick up a new hobby, go out with some new friends, explore the world.

You can go anywhere and do anything sober, provided you keep smart feet that take you where you need to go if you feel you are at risk of drinking.

It may take a little while, but like a baby deer learning how to walk, you will gain a new sense of self and self-confidence that you hadn’t known before. Your life will become fantastic.

For more information or any questions, be sure to check us out here.

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

Overcome Addiction

How to Help Someone Overcome Addiction in Illinois

 It’s never easy watching someone you care about go through something like addiction. Many times, people in this situation watch the person they care about to deteriorate and become a different person. If you think your loved one is addicted but you’re not sure, be on the lookout for these warning signs. Their behavior has changed. You notice them becoming more withdrawn, angry, combative, or abusive towards you. You notice them becoming obsessive They’re hiding things from you. Maybe you found needles or empty vodka bottles under their bed or in their bathroom They’ve come home bruised or beaten up but won’t tell you what happened They aren’t sleep They slur their words They’re losing weight or their outward appearance has changed for the worse. If your loved one shows any of these signs, there’s a good chance they might be addicted.  If you’re watching someone you love spiral into addiction, there are ways you can help to overcome addiction. Here’s how. 6 Ways To Someone You Know Overcome Addiction In Illinois 1. Call your local rehab center Places like Lincoln Recovery or your local hospital are a great resource for you to tap into. They’ll be able to help you determine the best treatment options for your loved one without making you or them feel ashamed. They’ll be able to give you advice and tools. They can also help you plan something called an intervention. An intervention is when family and friends of the addict’s life come together to make their loved one understand that they need help. Interventions must be planned so they don’t cause more problems. While it’s going to be awkward and uncomfortable, an intervention that’s done right can gently push your loved one on the path to recovery. 2. Establish trust This is a huge thing. Often trust is broken between addicts and the people they love the most, and while it may be difficult to achieve, getting them to trust you is so important. Otherwise and intervention won’t work properly. To start building trust with an addict, you have to learn not to nag, yell, exaggerate, lecture, or engage in any substances they’re addicted to. Asking them to stop drinking when they see you drinking, even if it’s only a small glass of wine at night, can make them defensive. Trust will also help prevent stress. If they trust you more, they’ll be less stressed and feel more comfortable opening up to you about their addiction. Most addicts know they have a problem deep down, they just don’t want to admit it out loud and make it real. Don’t do anything that will keep them from opening up to you about it. Watch their body language to help you determine if your attempts at trust-building are working. If you notice them growing stiff or becoming agitated pull back and try again another time. 3. Never blame Even if the person who’s addicted made you lose money, your reputation, etc. do not try to blame them for it. While they need to take responsibility for their behavior, blaming them for things while they’re addicted will get you nowhere. It will only make them more resistant to change, defensive, and closed off. Speak in the first person, only about how you feel or what you think. Whenever you talk to them about their addiction, use “I” statements. “You” statements can come across as blameful and can do the opposite of what you hope to achieve in the conversation. Avoid insults and negativity at all costs because that is the blameful language that will make them defensive. For more information on using “I” statements, click here. 4. Always practice empathy You see how dangerous it is to blame the addict in any way, either for their addiction or their behavior. Leading with empathy, whether your staging an intervention or not, can help the addict feel more comfortable and open up. Tell them that you understand they’re hurting, and while you don’t know what they’re going through firsthand, you’re there to help in any way you can. You want to be a part of the solution. Offer assistance in any way you can. By doing this, you might find that the person has been waiting for someone to talk to them about it but has been too afraid to bring it up themselves. 5. Prepare for backlash What you have to understand is that addiction affects the chemical balance of the brain. This can make them delusional, combative, or standoffish. They may outright refuse to admit they’re addicted to anything and if they do, they might turn the blame on you. Addicts try to get out of responsibility, and taking responsibility for their addiction is another thing they’re going to try to dance around. Prepare for harsh words, yelling, and threats. Stay calm and listen to everything they have to say. Don’t engage in yelling or screaming or try to push the blame back on them. It will only make the situation worse. If you feel like you’re in danger, remove yourself from the situation or call the police. 6. Stop enabling If you’re allowing the person you love to do drugs in your house or get drunk in your house, stop. Tell them that they aren’t allowed to do that in your home anymore and if they refuse, ask them to leave. It sounds harsh, but they have to learn that there are consequences to their actions. Stop buying them their substance of choice. Practice sobriety yourself so you don’t have alcohol or drugs lying around the house for them to consume. If they frequently borrow your car, remove car privileges so they can’t drive under the influence. Refuse to give them cash. If they say they need a few bucks for food, buy them actual food or not at all. But never give them cash or cards that they can use to purchase drugs or alcohol. While this might seem like you’re not leading with empathy, you are. You don’t have to be mean about doing any of these things. You can simply say, “I don’t want you driving my car under the influence, it’s not safe.” Or “I can’t give you cash, but I can buy you food, water, groceries,” if that’s what you want to do. Just avoid putting the blame or accusing them of anything. To learn the difference between helping and enabling, follow the link. https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-stop-enabling-an-alcoholic-63083 Read Also: Four Effective Things To Recover From Heroin & Drug Addiction Treatment Spot It Early: 9 Common Signs of Addiction You Need to Look out For Friendships Up in Smoke? 6 Ways Addiction Affects Relationships How To Know If You Have An Addiction: 7 Common Signs

READ MOREDetails
Polydrug

Polydrug Use: What Happens When You Mix Cocaine with Heroin?

Cocaine and heroin are among the most potent and extensively used illicit drugs in the world with deeply addictive and destructive potential. When we think of these drugs, we usually think of individuals having either cocaine or heroin addiction, whereas in reality the practice of taking more than one substance at the same time - known as polydrug use - is on the rise. Individuals typically start polydrug use by combining substances to enhance the effects of one or both of them. A very common combination of drugs in polydrug use is cocaine and heroin and in fact, the practice has become so widespread that it now has its own street name: "speedballing." When speedballing, polydrug users take heroin to extend and enhance cocaine’s short-term effects to avoid the crashing come down, essentially by replacing it with opiate-induced euphoria. The Health Risks of Speed Balling with Cocaine and Heroin: Although the effects of speedballing are extremely pleasurable and compelling to users, it is incredibly dangerous. Both heroin and cocaine have significant health risks separately but when used in combination and injected at the same time, these risks are heightened considerably. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and depending on the US state studied, around 36.9% to 98.9% of heroin-related deaths involve other substances. There are few activities in life that have the potential to be more deadly than speedballing and yet it is now a significant issue. Young people experimenting with substances are increasingly being encouraged to participate in speedballing without being fully aware of the risks. Let’s take a look at the differences between cocaine and heroin when used on their own: Heroin: Heroin is made from an extract of the opium poppy and it has been used for hundreds of years as pain relief for significant trauma. The way heroin works are by flooding the brain with euphoria-creating dopamine so as to “trick” the mind into ignoring pain signals from other parts of the body. The euphoria created by heroin is considered the reason it is highly addictive, as it immobilizes the body in the most pleasant way so that the only thing a user can do is lay back and enjoy the feeling. One of the most common ways people develop heroin addiction is by becoming tolerant to its effects, which can happen very quickly after they start using the drug. When the euphoria they seek starts to wane when taking their usual amount of the drug, they will simply up the dose. After a very short while of this addictive behavior, the body will start to develop cravings for heroin every time the user comes down from their high. Some of the withdrawal symptoms emerging if cravings for heroin are not satisfied can be extremely unpleasant and so more of the drug is needed to make them go away. Cocaine: The kind of high cocaine creates depends on the way it’s taken, which is generally by snorting or injecting. The effects of cocaine are generally short-term, lasting around 40 minutes and they are quite opposite to those of heroin. Cocaine is a stimulant that makes users feel a rush of energy, often making them the life and soul of the party. Whereas heroin immobilizes, cocaine stimulates and while on a high from the drug, users tend to talk at a fast pace, enjoying everything around them in an animated way. Cocaine is equally as addictive as heroin although it has a very different kind of appeal. Some people become socially dependent on the drug before going on to developing an addiction, using cocaine as a prop to boost confidence. However, as with heroin, cocaine has a negative impact on the brain's function, which can introduce extra challenges for people seeking to overcome cocaine addiction in heroin and cocaine addiction treatment. The risks caused by speedballing with cocaine and heroin include the following: Whereas heroin stimulates the brain’s production of endorphins, cocaine prevents them from being reabsorbed naturally. This eventually erodes an individual’s ability to enjoy the simplest pleasures in life unless substance abuse is involved. Cocaine is the only drug with the potential to hyper-stimulate the body to the point where the user suffers a stroke. When used in combination in heroin, it is not possible to detect that this is happening and there is a risk of suffering a stroke without any warning and possible death. The effects of cocaine do not last for as long as heroin and so speedballers tend to use more cocaine to prolong their high. This is incredibly dangerous and places the individual at risk of a fatal heart attack. Heroin has a powerful effect on the central nervous system, slowing down its functions when a person is under influence including the heartbeat and breathing. If there is not enough oxygen reaching the brain because a person’s breathing has become shallow after taking heroin, there is a high risk of brain damage or death. Because cocaine is a stimulant, it reduces some of the effects of heroin if taken at the same time. This can mask the warning signs of heroin overdose which include: confusion, dizziness, slurred speech, body limpness, and unconsciousness. Cocaine and Heroin Addiction Treatment for Speed Balling: Addiction is an illness that can be treated so that individuals can move on from substance abuse and enjoy a life in sobriety. Although challenging, the path through detox, rehab, and recovery on a cocaine or heroin addiction treatment program introduces individuals to a world outside of substance use, motivating them to make the necessary changes to overcome their illness. Because of the potency of heroin and cocaine independently, people speedballing face significantly more risks from substance abuse than those abusing one type of drug. The effects on a person's personality, behavior, and psychological state can be extended with both substances which is why holistic therapies such as those offered at the best heroin and cocaine addiction treatment centers are now commonly available as a cocaine and heroin addiction treatment approach. Through learning skills such as meditation and yoga or becoming physically fit through a structured exercise regime, individuals can move on from the difficulties in their lives cause by heroin and cocaine addiction. Read Also: How 12-Step Works As Addiction Recovery Support Addiction Treatment: 11 Tips To Find The Best Rehabilitation Center

READ MOREDetails
How to Choose Workout Supplements

How to Choose Workout Supplements

We cannot run away from the fact that supplements can help you to reach your fitness goals faster. Most of them have well-known ingredients or cutting edge that have the required scientific backing. The challenge is knowing the workout supplement to choose. I know you could have been hearing about supplement scams in local news on a daily basis. This article will guide you on what to avoid and what you need to look for while choosing workout supplements. You need to choose a brand that uses scientific minds to build great products on the basis of solid science and results.  Below are some of the things you need t check out for when making your next sports nutrition and weight loss product purchase. Make Sure You Know the Brand : Companies spend a lot of money every year while attempting to build trust. You can compare trust to consumer preference and loyalty. Most supplement companies that have been in existence for a long period should have invested a lot in the quality of their products and good manufacturing products that comply with the industry practices. All supplement companies must meet the standards that are set by drugs and poisons board or FDA. If you are not sure of the company, search for their brand name on reputable review sites or bureaus in the region.  You need to identify a company that deals with best selling workout supplements in the global market. Can You Get to Their Customer Service? Confirm whether the company has a toll-free contact with real human beings to handle the phone calls. Some companies spent a lot of cash on infrastructural investments that support their products in the marketplace. Some small companies like outsourcing their operations and production of products. therefore, customers may have to way of talking to them. Be wary of any company that you cannot reach with a lot of ease. Does the Mark have a Trust Mark or Third-Party Analysis Label? A reputable brand should undertake a lab analysis of their products to confirm whether they meet the claims that are on the label. You can go ahead and request a certificate of analysis from that manufacturer to make sure that the product has the ingredients written on the label. You can also search for trust marks from third-party organizations as another way of verifying the supplements. Some of the marks include USDA organic, USP and NSF and they are given to the supplement company after meeting stringent product audits. Search for Clinical Studies : Sports nutrition or weight loss products must have one or multiple ingredients that are in amounts that are clinically validated.  This is what makes them make assertions like ‘lose weight,’ ‘build muscle,’ or ‘recover faster.’ The product packaging or company website must reference these clinical studies. The product should have the amounts of grams, milligrams, and micrograms of all the active ingredients that are listed on the product. Ingredients such as essential fatty acids, creatine, and proteins have a broad range of source types and dosages.  Therefore, be keen to look at the specific ingredients when doing your search. Only Buy from Reputable Stores : Leading retailers carry out their independent analysis and thus you need to buy your sports nutrition or weight loss products from a store you trust. Some stores have trained associates that can answer any questions you have regarding the products. This will help you in making the right decision especially if you are having several products to choose from. Finally, you need to check on the ratings and reviews of the company. Find out the manufacturer’s consumer rating on its website and third-party retailers. Go through the common comments and questions on these sites. Also, read the consumer experiences on other posts so as to gain some form of confidence in the products. All the above tips will help you to find the best workout supplements that the market has to offer. All you need is an effective product that is safe for your health. The market has several high-quality companies and products but you cannot identify them unless you do your assignment well. Read  More : 6 Ways To Promote Healthy Brain How To Stay Healthy And Fit Despite A Hectic Schedule Healthy Protein Alternatives For Grandpa And Grandma

READ MOREDetails