It is Alcoholics Anonymous intended as a resource to understand what treatment choices are available and what to consider when selecting among them. For more information, please visit the NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator®, an online tool that helps individuals find the right treatment for them—and near them. The Navigator offers a step-by-step process to finding a highly qualified professional treatment provider. Additionally, emotional roadblocks like stubbornness can prevent individuals from acknowledging their addiction, with some resisting the need for treatment.
Develop and lean on a support system
By staying connected to supportive networks, seeking professional guidance, and fostering a sense of self-worth, individuals can persevere in their recovery and build a brighter future. Continued participation in support groups is another essential aspect of maintaining long-term recovery. Whether it is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), SMART Recovery, or another type of recovery community, these groups offer accountability, shared experiences, and an ongoing sense of belonging. Regular attendance fosters a reminder of the importance of staying committed while surrounding individuals with understanding peers who empathize with their challenges.
- Alcohol is known to affect the parts of the brain that are linked to speech, functioning and decision-making.
- Perhaps more importantly, think about what you’d like to happen next.
- Therapy and counseling play a vital role in alcoholism recovery, regardless of whether an individual chooses an inpatient or outpatient program.
- It’s important to acknowledge your ambivalence about stopping drinking.
- There is a comprehensive legal, educational, and commercial empire that prefers if you keep drinking.
For Loved Ones: How to Support a Loved One’s Mental Health
- These include detoxification, seeking professional help, behavioural treatments, medications, and therapy.
- When you’re craving alcohol, there’s a tendency to remember the positive effects of drinking and forget the negatives.
- If you sign up for therapy after clicking through from this site, HelpGuide will earn a commission.
Typically, detoxification can take anywhere from a few days to a week or more. However, it is advisable to quit even if you can control your drinking because even the little dosage can cause alcohol-related diseases. Once you set your goals, it is essential to tell your family and friends. They can remind you whenever you forget to follow through your goals. The list will make you see the reality and help you pick the best option. When you have strong reasons to quit, you will be motivated to stop drinking even if you don’t feel like it.
How to help someone stop drinking
Scientific studies have found that physical exercise is particularly beneficial in fighting addiction. Not only does it help you release how to beat alcoholism excess energy, but it also generates endorphins that make you feel better and more relaxed. The first step in the recovery process is to seek professional help. Talking to a primary care provider is an important first step—they can be a good source for treatment referrals and medications.
