While a staggering one in three people drinks in excess, one in thirty adults falls under the category of alcohol dependent. Alcohol dependence can be a result of a variety of things, from it being one of the only ways to socialize in public at night to a coping mechanism by those with mental illness and trauma.
It's an unfortunate circumstance of
our times that alcohol abuse has become so widespread. On the flip side, there
are many ways to curb alcohol addiction through treatment and creating new
habits. Keep reading to find out which tips will be helpful for your personal
needs in recovering from alcoholism.
Finding
Meaning in Life
As cliche and cheesy as this sentiment can sound, many addicts struggle with identifying with a sense of purpose in life. It is one of the most effective ways to prevent relapsing and stay consistently sober after rehabilitation efforts. drug rehab florida
One way to determine this is to
first clear your mind. Starting in a headspace of sobriety, where you've been
eating healthily, exercising, getting sunlight and quality sleep is essential.
Beyond this, to determine a sense of
meaning or purpose to your life and life in general, you'll have to confront
yourself. It can be painful, but this is why a support system and therapy can
be your best friends. Try these journaling techniques to establish a sense
of communication with yourself.
- List your priorities in life
- List the reasons you want to stay sober
- List your passions
- List ways you want to approve and what steps you can
make in order to make progress
These are some simple but thought-provoking
questions to get your mind in gear. Have fun envisioning a detailed and
thought-out version of your dream life. Even if it seems impossible to achieve,
it's never too late to make your life what you want it to be.
Rehabilitation
If you're having a hard time
self-regulating your alcohol dependence, seek out help. Rehab does not have the
stigma on it that it once did. Many rehabilitation centers focus on treating
you as a complete individual.
Not only will you address your
addiction, but triggers and trauma that may have caused your tendency to rely
on alcohol in the first place. Alcohol rehab
gives you the chance to get clean in an environment where your triggers will be
significantly reduced. With reduced triggers, you can focus your attention
inwards.
Through therapy, medication, AA
meetings, and more, you gather the resources necessary to support yourself
after you leave rehab. Outpatient treatments upon completion of rehab are also
very conducive to staying sober.
Support
System
As alcohol is prevalent in American
culture, it can be hard to find activities to do without alcohol. It can also
be even harder sometimes to make friends with people who don't want to drink.
This is why finding a support system that can encourage your sobriety is
important when making the decision to get clean.
Healing
From Alcohol Dependence
With all of these concepts, habits,
and resources in mind to heal yourself from alcohol dependence, you're on the
right track. Before you can successfully manage any of them, you have to make
the decision for yourself. No one else can force you to be sober unless you are
the one who clearly wants it.
For more reading on addiction and
living a sober, holistic lifestyle, read more on our 'Health' page.
